All last summer I was practicing on the range using a patched roundball in my ML. Then a few weeks before deer season, I switched to a Powerbelt like I have used other years and sighted in. I got a deer with the Powerbelt with an easy shot at 48 yards. So this year I'm comfortable enough using a patched roundball to use it for deer season. My question is, how do you carry a precut, prelubed patch and get at it "quickly" to reload?
Right now I carry 5 speedloaders that have a partition in the middle; the loose powder goes on one side, the projectile on the other. It was very easy with the Powerbelt, but a roundball with a patch is another story. The patch is not going to stay put in the speedloaders I use.
If it matters, the ML is a .50 cal. Pedersoli Frontier caplock, traditional, with open sights.
+2 on Muley Hunter. I made mine out of a chunk of oak I had around the house. All you need if five holes for hunting. Punch it right through into the rifle and you're loaded in no time. Another way is I have an Altoids breath mint can. In that can are patch and ball. I never hurry when I reload anyway. Good luck.
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"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, a total wreck, screaming Yahoo, with a big smile on your face."
For hunting, a small home made loading block/ball board that holds three balls and hangs around your neck on a cord works just fine. They are easily made from any tight grained wood and can be as fancy or plain as you like. A very thick piece of leather works well also.
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My wife says I'm totally nuts, but I think I'm Semisane.
Things I've Learned: (1) It's not possible to please everyone, but quite easy to piss everyone off. (2) If you love animals as I do, then you're not a vegetarian. (3) There's no need to act stupid, even if you're very good at it. (4) If you eat right and exercise, don't smoke or drink, you're going to die anyway.
THERE'S what I'm looking for! I like that it's a little more period correct than what I have been using. It looks like it would be very easy to make with some scrap oak I have here. And if I have trouble making it, Track of the Wolf is just a couple miles from the range where I shoot. Thanks!
I should add: It looks like it's maybe 1/4" to 3/8" thick; about right??
Last edited by Bruce H; 02-08-2012 at 06:03 PM.
Reason: Added question
Here's a five ball in line model made from two pieces of leather sewn together. Wood is simpler.
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My wife says I'm totally nuts, but I think I'm Semisane.
Things I've Learned: (1) It's not possible to please everyone, but quite easy to piss everyone off. (2) If you love animals as I do, then you're not a vegetarian. (3) There's no need to act stupid, even if you're very good at it. (4) If you eat right and exercise, don't smoke or drink, you're going to die anyway.
Do you carry a powder horn and shooting bag as well???
I have my powder measure and loading/ball block on a leather thong...
This thong is attached to the strap of my shooting bag so when I need
to reload I simply pull this thong out of my shooting bag and then
I pour the powder into my measure (mine is set, non-adjustable)...I
drop the powder down the barrel and then get my short starter from my
bag, put the loading block over the muzzle and get the ball started with
the short starter...I then ram the ball home...
It takes less than 30 seconds to reload...
btw...My loading block has 4 holes...The first one or two are patched with .018 thick
patching...The last two are patched with .015 patching...After the 2nd shot, I use the
thinner patching...It makes it easier to load when the barrel is fouled and gives good
hunting accuracy...
PS...I also carry extra precut patches in wooden pill boxes, as well as a rolled up strip of ticking already lubed in my ball bag....
How to carry precut patches?
