Powder Flask?

[Eric M]

I am thinking about buying a powder flask with the premeasured nozzle for 75 grains. Mostly interested in it for hunting and not having to carry speed loaders. I use a powder measure at the range but in the interest of keeping the amount of gear down I am thinking of using the flask instead. Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[crockett]

Yeah but you won't like it. As a general rule a flask with a pre-measured spout implies you will load the firearm directly from the flask- sort of a no-no. Every year there is a guy or two that has the flask explode- not a pretty sight. In virtually the same amount of time you can attach a measure to the flask and pour flask to measure and then measure to bore and eliminate the risk.

 

[Lorne Johnson]

The rule of thumb using a powder flask is to pour from the flask into a container (which could be a measure) and pour from the measure into the bore. This eliminates the possibility of setting off the whole flask, but not the risk of setting off the charge being pored.

I like the approach because I can do it confidently without my glasses on and get a consistent charge with no spilling.

If you are used to using a horn and measure, it would be just about the same convenience.

 

[Stumpkiller]

It's one of those modern safety concerns that the old timers seemed to live with. If you dump a charge directly from the flask and find an ember from a bit of fouling left in the bore, vent or a stray spark from a neighboring shooter you have an eye-level hand grenade. What weight does a powder measure add? 1/6th of an ounce for a bone, horn or antler tip. Plus, you will get better accuracy knowing a measure is full each load with a visual check.

 

[Bill Hall]

Kind of begs the question as to why these types of flask spouts are sold if they are considered dangerous. The short answer is, because people buy them. :idunno:

Back when I started shooting black powder in the 70's, those bigger spouts were pretty popular, especially among the Civil War guys. The idea of a spark exploding the flask was never considered. But, as the years moved on, stories emerged of sparks in barrels touching off flasks, and ruining people's hands and eyes. I think like any good story, the myths outgrew the actual incidents, but still, if there is any chance of a spark setting off a powder container, why take the chance. I reckon these spouts were made back when it was ok to use them, and are still available on the market.

It took alot of conscience effort on my part to break myself of the habit of dropping powder from my flask directly into the barrel. If I was using an 80 grain measure and wanted to try 90 grains, it was just easier to guess at 10 grains in my spout and dump it in. Now I use a seprate measure every time I dump powder down the bore.

That pre-mesured spout is not a bad idea though. You may find that with practice you can speed up your loading time. Just make sure you transfer the powder to a separte measure. Bill

 

[Rifleman1776]

I'll chime in just to add emphasis to what the others have said. Using a flask with spout to load a rifle is very dangerous. They were designed for military use where speed was paramount and soldier safety secondary.
I had a standard line for discouraging use when I had my ML gun shop. A guy would come in and say something like: "My friend told me to get a flask with a spout for loading my rifle". I replied to him: "Your friend must be sleeping with your wife." After the look of incredulity I would say: "Loading that way can get you killed. Then you would be out of the way and your wife and friend would have your insurance money." That never got me punched but it did get their attention. Then I would sell them a horn and measure.

 

[Stumpkiller]

When shotgunning I use an original J.W.Hawksley that has and adjustable head that is calibrated in drams. But I keep a brass measure on the cord to actually measure and pour from.

 

[necchi]

All good advise above.
How many shot's do ya actually take whilst huntin?
If I'm deer huntin It's usually just one, and only need carry one extra for a leisurely second load.
Small game might be 3-4, still easy to carry a small horn an measure. I've actually found most of the modern replica "Flasks" to leak around the gate valve anyhow, :idunno:

I think like any good story, the myths outgrew the actual incidents,

Very likey true, but I personally knew a feller that lost his little finger and half the one next too it whilst in a "speed shoot" when pouring straight out of his horn! :shake:

Again, the thing is,, It's too easy to carry other stuff in the field, save yer money,, :wink:

 

[Rhett Griffith]

The only time I ever use a flask is to load my cap and ball revolvers when they are cold. (Either for the first time straight out of the gun safe or after waiting about 10 minutes since they were fired last.) That may be overly cautious, but then again I can still use my fingers to count to ten! :wink:

 

[PreserveFreedom]

Why not just carry some pre-measured tubes when you are not at the range? Buckhorn makes a 6-pack of them and the side is marked so you can verify that you have the right load in the tube (though I would still measure in a brass measure before dumping in the tube...just use the markings on the tube for verification). $7.99 at Cabela's.

 

[Rifleman1776]

Good on the separate measure.
But....is that nylon stuff I see holding that flask. :shocked2: :nono:

 

[Stumpkiller]

LOL. One of those "temporary fixes" that has been in place for years. I'm still looking for a suitable natural fiber cord.

Heck, the flask is c.1880's so it's too modern for the style of anything I use the powder in. ;-)

 

[Rifleman1776]

I'm still looking for a suitable natural fiber cord.

Check out stores that sell New Age or other (left over from the 60s) hippie stuff. They will have hemp twine. Very natural and strong. And legal.

 

[ohio ramrod]

As others have posted loading direct from the horn or flak is a bad idea. I use a flask with valve most of the time simply because I tend to drop the plug and even with a cord on it I still have to fumble with it. For hunting I have found a good (If not period correcdt) method of using premeasued charges for the rifle. I use empty tubes from the horse wormer medicine. They have a "T" type handle on one end and can be pluged with a tapered wooden plug. The tubes fit right into the shirt pocket of my cartharts and pull out easily. I then can bite the plug with my teeth pull out and dump the powder down the barrel. They are completely water proof! One yeat I droped one while crawling through a multiflora rose bush. The next year with no snow on the ground I found it and the powder was still dry and shot accurately (At a target, I did not want to risk it on a hinting load ) :idunno: :idunno:

 

[Walks with fire]

I want to use a small flask instead of the 5 speed loaders I usually carry. I am going to use about a 2oz. flask (about 8 100gr. charges) that will hold 3f for both barrel and pan in my 50 caliber.

I always swab the barrel anyway; going to cut at the muzzle from the strip this year as well. I am really looking forward to this season in PA.

Get the flask; measures and swab. Life is to fast to be in a hurry.

 

[Joel/Calgary]

It's one of those modern safety concerns that the old timers seemed to live with.

With respect, the "old timers" were well aware of the hazards, and many warned against loading "from the flask" except when speed of loading was a matter of great urgency (combat, dangerous game). A number of 19th century writings I've seen, especially for shotgunners, exhort loading "from the hand" rather than the flask, using one's off-hand for an intermediate vessel between the flask measure and the gun.

I also have a Hawksley flask, but a replica that I had to do a fair bit of work on to to tighten up the clearances on the gate. I measure with the flask, but use an oversize fixed measure (marked internally as a backup for various shot and powder charges) to transfer the powder to the gun.

Regards,
Joel

 

[Rat Trapper]

I've often wondered on this subject. My guess is in the old days when a rifle needed to be loaded quick it was done direct from horn or flask into barrel. Today with no danger of getting arrows stuck in you, you shouldn't do it that way. This is one reason I have often wondered the need for a spout on a horn or flask that holds enough powder for a charge. If they were not loading direct into the barrel, why did they even use a charging spout?? Loading into the hand seems like a mess and hard to get into the barrel. Now before anyone gets up on a soap box, I am not telling anyone to load direct into the barrel. I'm just wondering how it was done 200 plus years ago??

 

[Capt. Jas.]

That never got me punched but it did get their attention.

You were very lucky