Powder Drop Tube?

[arcticap]

I place a plastic funnel in my muzzle when I dump powder mainly to avoid spillage. But I've always thought that once the bore is coated with lube that some powder is going to stick to the sides and get coated with lube before getting rammed down the bore, maybe affecting velocity or accuracy. Of course, one tries to accomodate for this by using extra powder, but it does introduce another variable into each shot. I noticed a picture another shooter posted that showed a long brass drop tube attached to his funnel that he made from soldering a number of smaller flask tubes together. I'm wondering if anybody has any other ideas about how to more easily make an item like this. I would like to use some kind of plastic tubing to attach to my funnel but I'm not sure what product to look for. Does anyone else use an item like this to help insure better accuracy? Does any outfit offer this item for sale already made?

 

[Rebel]

I think Pedersoli offers a funnel with long tube. If not you could just use a long piece of copper tubing attached to a funnel. Not sure how much this will affect accuracy though.

 

[Packdog]

One would be easy enough to make.

I have wondered the same thing about the powder sticking to the sides. I have always thought the patched ball would push it down to the breech when you load but, always a but, when at the Sgt. York, Chunk Gun Shoot this last year, I saw several people using a long tube and funnel to load.

:hmm:So I don't know.

 

[BillinOregon]

Drop tubes are often used where finest accuracy is wanted for the very reasons you mention, as well as to keep powder kernels from grinding on the bullet as it is seated (more an issue with conical or picket balls than round balls).
Make one by turning or hand-carving a wooden funnel spout and attaching to an appropriate length of brass or copper tubing.
Interestingly, Sir Samuel Baker used a variation of this in the 1840s when loadin ghis heavy Gibbs hunting rifle by attaching the powder measure to the loading rod, filling the measure, then passing it UP the inverted barrel, then turning the gun around on its butt to empty the charge to the breech. That way he only needed to keep the measure in his pocket, yet he could enjoy the advantages of the drop tube in the hunting fields.

 

[arcticap]

What that Sam Baker did sounds mighty smart. I wouldn't be surprised if he learned to use his "dumper" with his rifle laying pretty flat on the ground.
What I would like to accomplish is to get the small amount of powder that I prefer loading down into the drum area in one "pile" to help overcome hangfires and any troublesome ignition I've had with some guns.

 

[mike alexandre]

Be very careful with loading tubes, all you need is a bit of fouling in the end and you then have no idea if all the powder you have poured is in the breech or some in the breech and some left in the tube. Personally I dont think they are worth the trouble. :imo:

 

[bovey]

Drop tubes were and are used in target rifles. You will also find them in cased dueling pistols.

 

[vradin]

Saw something yesterday that might work for the frugal. Brass fuel line tube. Fairly inexpensive, easily flared for a funnel, and lengths from 6 or 8" up to about 8' (for Squire Robin's little toys) For smaller calibers, stainless or brass brake line. It's a bit more costly, but should work too.

OOPS- almost forgot. You probably don't want to use recycled fuel line. Might not be a good idea to mix gasoline and blackpowder, at least not more than once.