Should I get a CO2 discharger?

[rschissler]

Is it worth it to get a CO2 discharger for balls that may get stuck in a flintlock smoothbore?

Do they always work? If so, it seems a lot easier and safer than trying to get it out with ball puller and rod.

 

[musketman]

Should come out easier than a rifled barrel, many people like them...

I use a ball puller and this method after screwing the puller into the projectile:

Use a "T" handle rod and hook it on a stout limb of a tree and pull from behind with both hands...

 

[berickson]

it's even better if you have a buddy who has one. i've been thinking of getting one but they are as pricey as h_ll up here and for some reason they won't ship them from the states. they work REALLY good.
not that i ever foul up my loads tho - very often ...
::

 

[tg]

I understand them to be a required item, as before their invention everyone had to throw their gun away if a ball got stuck due to the troublesome and unsafe practice of pulling the ball, this may be why so few original guns exist.

 

[CrackStock]

It is safer and easier to remove a load with a CO2 discharger.

I have three of them as I am a firearms instructor and was a YHEC coach years ago.

However, you should be aware that these push out with enough force to harm someone. Also be aware that many smoothbores are larger bore and therefore have a greater volume to push out a load. Not a big deal, but simple volume calculation.

CS

 

[redwing]

They work very well. Just make sure the ball is all
the way down other wise you will only waste your gas
charge.

Redwing :redthumb:

 

[cptleo1]

Absolutly a mandatory piece of equipment.

I don't see why you would even think about screwing a

screw tipped stick into a live load, when for about $.25

you can SAFELY over come cerebrial flatuation !!!!!!!!!!!!

:imo:

 

[bezoar]

Why use a screw on a stick to pull a ball? Lets see, it could be considered the ultimate initiation ceremony. If you take it in stride with a big grin at the thrill of using a ball puller and dont swear alot you know you truly do deserve to be a muzzleloader.
And it builds charecter and gets one used to being under pressure of near instant pain/suffering/maiming/death if the gun does go off somehow as your bent over it.
At the same time it gives you an excuse to go buy yourself a heavy duty range rod to use as you dont want to damage the lovely hickory stock that you just got done making.
And because the ball puller is a one time purchase while you need a new C02 cartridge for every ball you need to remove, and you need to buy a 7 dollar adapter for every different type of ignition system around to be used on the 15 dollar discharger.

 

[jdixon]

I don't know if this helps you make a decision on this or not but, at the NMLRA range in Indiana, according to an article in Muzzle Blasts this month, you can not use a ball puller to unload a charge. They provide and you must use, a CO2 discharger.

 

[Java Man]

I don't recall pulling to many balls with a charge underneath, only when I forget an important ingredient. :youcrazy:

In that case, I'd much rather pull the ball, then remover the lock and the touch hole liner. But then, the ball will be in the way, anyway.

Why remove a ball with powder behind it?

 

[2172]

Have owned one for about 10 years, wouldn't be without it at the range. I find I help someone with a dryball about every two months...they don't always work perfectly, especially a dryballed flinter as the ball blocks the touchhole so you can't get the discharger in behind it. before I had this, I was forced on one occasion to remove the touch hole liner, move the ball forward with an awl, and put a charge in to get a stuck ball out...one that had defied a ball puller...coming out of the woods, I'd rather empty the gun this way than by discharging it...one caution, I left one in the sun on an August day on the loading bench, and it blew up...Hank

 

[JackAubrey]

I have found them to be Godsent.Rather than wasting time cursing and getting myself all stirred up I pop the thing out and get on with my shooting.I have not had to use it often...fortunately,but on the occasions when I have, I have been right thankful for the having!They are dear but worth it.I bought two and two sets of adaptors for each.Both reside in my range box .One goes into my shooting bag w/ the appropriate adaptor upon going out.I found a box of 12 co2 cartridges @ Walmart very inexpensive.For my two bits I say buy one!Jack.

 

[Hoyt]

I got one about 8yrs. ago and have never taken it out the package. I think it's for an inline. Will they work with a Chamber's White lightin liner?

 

[riarcher]

You guys got me to thinking (sorry about that). I'm thinking that without the rifling to grab the ball, and loading with moderate thumb presure, I'm wondering how in the world I'm going to get a screw into it without the ball just spinning with the screw,,,,,,,, :hmm:.
Think I'd probably drop a few grains through the flash hole and fly her out. (3F comes out, I'm sure I could drop some 4F in) About a 1/4 grain do it?

 

[Bob J]

Really wasn't going to bring this up :shakecaught a lot of flack on another board several years ago), but in the interest of learning and possibly helping others learn here goes:

After hunting 3 days with same load in my Kodiak using Triple 7 and conicals, decided I would try new discharger as we were packing up camp. Ploop, Ploop, out came the conical from each barrel. Hit the discharger again on each nipple and some more powder came out. OK, now its unloaded, right? Cleaned and put in case.

Two days later at home I break out the Kodiak to give each bore another swabbin'with Break-Free. Cleaning rack set up on Dining room table, swabbin' away, notice a little crud on the cleaning patch (remember the gun was not fired, unloaded clean). Close inspection reveals crud is really grains of T7. Swab and swab, keep getting a few grains each time :: Finally I figured a few grains must be left in the breech so I take the CO2 discharger and giver a blast...WHOOOMP ::something hits the china cabinet across the room My wife says "What was that?"

It was a mass of compressed Triple 7 that had not come out when I originally discharged it at camp. Of course I discharged other barrel outside, and yes, a mass of compressed Triple 7 came blasting out.

I don't know how the CO2 discharger ejected the conicals at camp but bypassed powder. But I, for one, am not sold on CO2 dischargers.

 

[riarcher]

Suspect only that which was in front of the vent got ejected.

 

[strongarm]

I don't know what the fuss is all about... i work a little 4F through the pan hole and they come out real easy.

If you want to use a ball puller try pouring extra Moose Milk down the barrel and then wrap leather cord around the rammrod and pull from a slight angle and they come out that way too!!

Imagine Ole' Davy with a CO2 device. I bet he laughing in his grave. (if he has a grave, that is.) :hmm:

 

[Halftail]

I understand them to be a required item, as before their invention everyone had to throw their gun away if a ball got stuck due to the troublesome and unsafe practice of pulling the ball, this may be why so few original guns exist.

TG,
You mean,If I pulled one of them blowers out at Frendship someone might not like it?
Imagine that.

I hunt with traditional muzzleloaders and find the C02 blower to be a very practical item in my hunting bag.
:imo:

 

[Henry]

If they are not available in your area , go to a fancy
bicycle shop and ask for a CO2 tire inflator , it is the
same gadget . If you shoot with a flint lock buy a
needle to inflate foot balls .

 

[musketman]

You guys got me to thinking (sorry about that). I'm thinking that without the rifling to grab the ball, and loading with moderate thumb presure, I'm wondering how in the world I'm going to get a screw into it without the ball just spinning with the screw,,,,,,,, :hmm:.

It could engage and spin the roundball in a loosely patched combination, I have never experienced this for I patch a little tighter when I use patches...