Cold weather loading tray

[BowerR64]

Just thought of something i seen at a local class i went to when looking at the "my hunting rig" post.

The guy at my local gun range gave a class last weekend "Intro to muzzleloading" it was an interesting class and we got to shoot their guns and powder. SUPER cold out so i only shot each one a few times.

I hung around after was planning to shoot my pistols once it warmed up later in the day.

He had what i though was a really SLICK idea to aid in quick loading. Ide never seen it before maybe others have or use something simmilar.

He had this wood block with 6 holes drilled all the way threw it. On oneside he had a larger hole drill halfway around each of the smaller holes.

What he did was he pre loaded all 6 holes with a patch and a ball. The wood held the ball and patch fairly tight. The larger holes drilled half way on the other side was a barrel guide. He just sits the block over the end of the muzzle using the large hole as a guide then using the hand starter he starts the ball threw the block. With this method he could load with gloves on.

He used those quick load tubes like walmart has, then his quick load ball and patch block. Looked like a pretty slick idea to me.

When we got to shoot the range rifles that was the worst part of the whole process pulling a patch from the bag and sitting the ball on top. The oil in the patch was so cold and stiff, and so were my hands.

 

[fdf]

It's called a ball board, lot's of folks use them.

 

[kBob]

Yep, the paddle has been around pretty much since folks started loading with patch and ball. Even show up in movies from time to time.

Think of it as a long rifle speed loader......

One thing I haven't seen much of is sewn on patches such as the US Army used with the Mississippi Rifles before the Minie ball came along. Balls were sewn into patches that were pre greased and stored apart from the paper cartridges which only held powder to prevent contamination of the powder by the lubed patches.

At one point someone made a plastic gizmo that was basically a short starter set up like a syringe with the patched ball ready to be started in one end and the plunger portion being also a powder container.......open the plungers cap and pour powder down the barrel close the cap, reverse the gizmo slap the plunger with the palm of the hand to short start ball an patch.

As for handling cold lubed patches.......handle dry patches and spit lube.

Living in Florida does have its advantages, too......

-kBob

 

[[email protected]]

Yep, I love the ball boards. I use the Teflon coated patches so in the winter the
patches still stay soft and pliable . Wish I could still see to shoot rifle.

 

[fdf]

I use ball boards for line rifle matches and hunting, use Teflon 100 % of the time.

I use ball boards for percussion and flint pistol matches, Teflon again. They are really nice in limited time fire matches.

I make ball boards for the kids who do not place in 4H Matches as a reward for their efforts. For the girls I make them in a heart shape and stain them a deep red. One of the girls saw one of the boards and I heard her say, I would rather have a heart than this medal.

 

[Jaymo]

Where can I get Teflon lube for my patches?
I've never heard of this before now.
I'd like to give it a try.

 

[[email protected]]

They have had Teflon patching for over 40 years. You been living under rock too
long, Ha! I used to make it and sell it back in the 70's. It is the most used lube
at Friendship. Most all use it at our local club. I don't know how to go about
buying just the Teflon now. Back when I was buying it and spraying it onto the
pillow ticking, I got it from DuPont. It came in a quart jar and cost 32.00. It
would cover about 14 yards. There is a ad in "Muzzle Blast" every month where
you can order it by the yard. I think it comes from "The Minuteman" I still have
several yards I bought several years ago. It comes in several different thickness
I would advise against trying to buy it and spray it yourself. It is not a liquid, per
say, but more of a surrey . You have to wear a mask and be very careful. If you
get any of it in your lungs it will kill you. Very very dangerous stuff. Stay far
away of trying to spray it yourself. Just buy it. It is the slickest lube know to
mankind also the most accurate for Muzzleloaders.

 

[BowerR64]

They have had Teflon patching for over 40 years. You been living under rock too
long, Ha!

I think we are neighbors lol

They have had Teflon patching for over 40 years. You been living under rock too
long, Ha! I used to make it and sell it back in the 70's. It is the most used lube
at Friendship. Most all use it at our local club. I don't know how to go about
buying just the Teflon now. Back when I was buying it and spraying it onto the
pillow ticking, I got it from DuPont. It came in a quart jar and cost 32.00. It
would cover about 14 yards. There is a ad in "Muzzle Blast" every month where
you can order it by the yard. I think it comes from "The Minuteman" I still have
several yards I bought several years ago. It comes in several different thickness
I would advise against trying to buy it and spray it yourself. It is not a liquid, per
say, but more of a surrey . You have to wear a mask and be very careful. If you
get any of it in your lungs it will kill you. Very very dangerous stuff. Stay far
away of trying to spray it yourself. Just buy it. It is the slickest lube know to
mankind also the most accurate for Muzzleloaders.

Do they make wads for pistols with this stuff?

 

[fdf]

Not that I am aware of, all Teflon I have seen is sprayed onto pillow ticking. Cannot see a use for it on wads, no gain.

Works great and it has a following with line match shooters.

Folks talk about their wonder lubes, Teflon is what wins, do not care what others say.

 

[[email protected]]

Here is what it looks like. Wife cuts it into strips and rolls it up for her shooting
box. She prefers to cut the patches off at the muzzle. This here is the .022
thick. I use .015 thick in my musket and the same .022 in my Flint rifle. This is a food grade Teflon.

 

[drago9900]

Where do you buy it and whats the cost?

 

[fdf]

Contact Information
Contact The Minute-Men
Phone: 330-262-5482
Location: Wooster, Ohio, United States

More Information
100% cotton. Very tight weave .010th, .015th, .020th thickness. $22.00 per yd. $6.95 SH. 1st yd., $1.00 SH. ea. additional yd. Send check or money order to THE MINUTE-MEN, 5492 Millersburg Rd., Wooster, OH 44691, (330) 262-5482. We accept VI/MC. Personnel hours: 7 p.m. - 10 p.m. EST, Tuesday and Wednesday (or any evening).

 

[Jaymo]

Yes, I have.
I was rather late getting into the muzzle loader game.
Guess I'll have to get some teflon patches and try them out.

 

[[email protected]]

You can't buy the patches as for as I know. You have to buy it by the yard. I
guess I could cut up some and mail them to you. What was that address of
that rock again?