Powder horn or flask ?

[Bunk]

Did you really mean cylinders or maybe chambers? Just checking, because usually the boys (not me) may have more than one cylinder.
Larry

depends on how many guns you load at a time, but personally I load one chamber of one cylinder of one revolver at a time and in this order.
Ccorrect measure of powder poured into the chamber, seat lube wad, seat ball and press into place.
Same order four more times.
Now load another gun or another cylinder one chamber at a time.
We must have some misunderstanding of terms. Most cylinders have six chambers but there are exceptions too numerous to mention.
Respectfully
Bunk

 

[Wildrangeringreen]

I'm new to this flask thing, just how is it "cut down"? Hacksaw?

That would be easiest, and then use files to clean it up.

 

[Grenadier1758]

Thanks and thank you for not pointing out the obvious about removing the powder first.

Even more obvious, the threaded spout has been removed from the flask before modification is started.

 

[Wildrangeringreen]

Always flask to measure to chamber. That flask is also a container full of explosive if you use real Gunpowder.
I know nothing about substitutes just don't use them.
What is another container full of explosive? Oh yes it is called a hand grenade! One tiny spark and by by buddy you will be the honored principle at a closed casket funeral.
Respectfully
Bunk

ah, the fabled spark in the bore... often warned about, but never seen. When people claim to have had a spark in the bore, it is almost always that they have a self-priming vent (flintlock) and had the **** at full-bent and bumped the gun hard enough to set it off (you would be amazed how often that happens at reenactments). Colt sold revolvers with flasks meant to be loaded from the spout, he even had a multi-spout model for the Patterson. You don't hear about people holding "grenades", do you? Actually, mentions of powder flasks/horns/bottles exploding are almost always directly connected to catastrophic failures of the firearm or the negligent handling of lit match cord (or the afore mentioned negligent handling of a firelock).

Look at metallic BP cartridge shooters, look at paper-cartridge Breechloader shooters. How many times when they eject the case/open the breech is there an actively burning ember in the case (removable breech-liner) or firing chamber? None. Gun barrels are not conducive to leaving burning material in the bore, the high pressures (pushing everything out of the muzzle), combined with a lack of free oxygen, eliminates it. Even paper patching doesn't smolder, it just has some residue from the powder.

There's a difference between respecting the tools you're working with and being afraid of them... a lot of people are afraid of their firelocks (like they're a snake that's gonna randomly jump up and bite them).

 

[Larry (Omaha)]

depends on how many guns you load at a time, but personally I load one chamber of one cylinder of one revolver at a time and in this order.
Ccorrect measure of powder poured into the chamber, seat lube wad, seat ball and press into place.
Same order four more times.
Now load another gun or another cylinder one chamber at a time.
We must have some misunderstanding of terms. Most cylinders have six chambers but there are exceptions too numerous to mention.
Respectfully
Bunk

I understand your reply because you are correct. My question was to Gkarp429 with respect to what he actually meant. I don't believe I have ever seen anyone load 6 cylinders at a time. Not saying it doesn't happen, but I doubt that it would be the norm.
Larry

 

[ord sgt]

While at the range and shooting my revolver, I have a small stand built to hold the revolver in an upright position. This makes the loading process simpler. I can use both hands to pour from a flask. I pour the FFFg into a powder measure and then pour it into the chamber. Then seat a lubricated wad and round ball into each chamber. Once filled, the revolver is pointed down range, capped and fired. Easy, once you get into a rhythm.

 

[bigstick6017555]

I do not like those metal flasks. A person I was acquainted with blew his hand of with one of these full of black powder. He was loading a rifle when it went off, he was alone so the specifics are unknown, and his recollection of the incidents were some what sketchy, and he was a smoker . It may not be period correct but I use pill bottles with pre-measured loads or small soft plastic bottles with a spout sort of like a restaurant ketchup bottle with only the amount of powder that I think I will need, hopefully it will not deform or kill me.

 

[tenngun]

I think that once you get to loading 6 cylinders, you will like that handiness of the flask vs a horn.

Yes, I like horns, but loading a revolver horns are a pia to use.
exception to this may be a small flat ‘day horn-bag horn’ this might give you the handiness of a flask.
Historically we see the rise of flask concurrent with the spread of revolvers

 

[user 48679]

FWIW, a horn requires a powder measure; a flask has it's own measure built into the spout.

IMO not much chance of getting hit by Old Sparky when charging revolver chambers.

 

[ord sgt]

I don't believe I have ever seen anyone load 6 cylinders at a time. Not saying it doesn't happen, but I doubt that it would be the norm.

At the pistol range, I load all six chambers each time that I shoot the revolver. A Remington bp revolver shooter whom I know loads all six chambers also. Not so uncommon.

 

[Snydly]

Flask for me. Easy to use a pre measured amount to dump into my horn measure and then into the cylinder. Easy peasy.

 

[Larry (Omaha)]

At the pistol range, I load all six chambers each time that I shoot the revolver. A Remington bp revolver shooter whom I know loads all six chambers also. Not so uncommon.

We are not on the same page! Please re read my reply. I am taking cylinders and you are talking chambers. Big difference.
Thanks
Larry

 

[Gkarp429]

Did you really mean cylinders or maybe chambers? Just checking, because usually the boys (not me) may have more than one cylinder.
Larry

Chambers, thanks.

 

[dwarvenchef]

Horn myself, I will make my own soon.

 

[user 52142]

Horn myself, I will make my own soon.

Sounds like a fun project. You'll have to post some pics when done

 

[Capnball]

I'm "indecisive" about the the matter as well, do I go with a
horn,a flask, or paper cartridges?

I think all of the "systems" should at least be explored. If for no other reasons, you can say what and why you like one system over another and knowing all three would be beneficial in instructing a new shooter. They only let us shoot from a seated position at our range for rifles so I like to shoot from pre measured powder tubes with pre lubed balls. It just works well for me. If I start shooting at the pistol range, I'll use a loading stand and a measured flask. I watched a guy set off nearly a pound of powder on the firing line with one spark. I will never bring bulk powder with me to the line.