System for loading a muzzle-loading firearm with smokeless or black powder

Abstract

The present invention discloses a method and system of loading an in-line muzzle-loading firearm. A projectile is rammed into a muzzle end of a barrel of the in-line muzzle-loading firearm such that a bottom portion of the projectile is adjacent or in close proximity with the breech end of a breech plug. A pre-measured powder cartridge is then inserted within a cartridge receiving bore of the breech plug such that a forward end of the pre-measured powder cartridge is adjacent a bottom portion of the projectile and a rim of the cartridge engages a first annular lip of the breech plug. The cartridge may then be secured within the breech plug by action of a bolt mechanism or a break open receiver mechanism.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Technical Field [0002] The present invention relates generally to muzzle-loading firearms, and more particularly, to a system and method for loading a muzzle-loading firearm with smokeless or black powder that is safer, provides better shooting accuracy, and requires less cleaning time in the case of using smokeless powder. [0003] 2. Related Art [0004] A muzzleloader is one of the earliest types of gun, now also popular as modern-made replicas, in which black powder and projectiles are separately loaded in through the muzzle of a barrel. As known in the art, the term muzzle is used to refer to the discharging end of a firearm. Muzzle-loading firearms are typically loaded by measuring a predetermined amount of black powder out into a powder measure, pouring the measured powder down the muzzle, placing a wad in the muzzle end of the barrel, and then ramming a bullet on top of the wad and powder into a breech of the muzzleloader. Once this is accom...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011] The present invention discloses a method and system for loading an in-line muzzle-loading firearm as well as an in-line muzzle-loading firearm. The present invention eliminates the need for a shooter to pour a measured powder charge down a muzzle end of a barrel of the in-line muzzle-loading firearm, but still allows the shooter to load a projectile or bullet through the muzzle end of the barrel. A breech of the muzzle-loading firearm, or a breech plug in alternative embodiments, may be designed to hold a pre-measured powder cartridge. Preferentially, the pre-measured powder cartridge includes smokeless powder as the powder charge so that the in-line muzzle-loading firearm stays cleaner and requires less maintenance.

[0016] The present invention eliminates problems associated with having to measure powder in the field between shots as well as having to carry powder and a powder measuring device in the field. Carrying and handling powder in the field is inherently dangerous because powder is an explosive. Having a pre-measured powder charge eliminates the potential for having too much or to little powder, which has a direct impact on the overall accuracy of the firearm. In addition, the present invention significantly reduces reloading time between shots. If smokeless powder is used as the propellant in the pre-measured powder cartridge, it burns cleaner, is non-corrosive, more economical, performs better and is safer to handle than black powder or Pyrodex. This saves hours of cleaning time for the shooter. In addition, having a pre-measured powder charge in the pre-measured smokeless cartridge that is sealed by a wad thereby making it weather resistant significantly minimizes the chances for misfires caused by wet gun powder or wet percussion caps.

Problems solved by technology

As a result of the high pressure levels associated with smokeless powder, almost all muzzle-loading experts and gun powder manufacturers do not recommend using smokeless powder in muzzle-loading firearms because of the risk of damaging the firearm.

If powder is poured into the barrel in this situation, the powder could ignite and possibly injure the shooter.

Moisture in either the black powder or percussion cap can cause the muzzleloader not to fire.

Carrying and handling powder in the field is inherently dangerous because powder is an explosive.

This saves hours of cleaning time for the shooter.

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