Gettin' my...er... junk together for trail walk shooting.

[BCRider]

I attended my second BP club shoot today. It's a trail walk with a wide variety of targets shot in a casual manner mostly for fun. The prizes for the two top shooters today was a dozen eggs and a pound of bacon....

My modern Cordura messanger bag that I've been using as my possibles bag looks a trifle out of place So I'm looking to get or make a leather bag with wide shoulder strap for my possibles bag and other accoutrements.

Here's what I've got so far for my overall list. This is for handling and shooting a Lyman Great Plains Rifle flintlock in .50 cal if it matters.

Black Powder Shooting Items

1. Possibles Bag
A. In Bag;
___1. Flint knapping hammer and tool
___2. Ball screw
___3. Compact magnetic screwdriver handle with bits for touch hole plug and general screw sizes.
___4. Spare flints and padding leathers
___5. Patches
___6. Round balls (or possibly on strap in a leather “bottle” container)
___7. Patch lube

B. On Strap in pockets;
___1. Ball Starter
___2. Powder measure
___3. Pan primer with 4Fg powder

2. Belt Items
___1. Patch knife
___2. Ramrod

3. On Gun
___1. Touch hole pin on short leather lanyard tied to trigger guard

4. Pockets;
___1. Pan area cleaning rag

5. Over shoulder on separate strap
___1. Powder horn

Anything obvious to you folks that this newbie to walking and gunning has missed?

To speed things up for loading I'm also considering making up either paper or brass tube "cartridges" that consist of a measure of powder, dry patch and ball all in a blind end tube that is sized to allow the ball and patch to be a light but firm enough push fit. If I go with this route I'd get rid of the powder horn and separate ball carrier/dispenser.

Actually for my GPR if I were to somewhat generously flare the mouths of .500S&W Magnum cases they would hold the 50'ish grns of powder I use and still have room to plug them with the ball and patch. They'd be somewhat expensive "cartridge wrappers" though.

 

[Armored farmer]

You need:
1. a powder measure. preferably a hand made antler or horn hollowed to hold your favorite load.
2. a loading block to hold a half-dozen or so patched round balls
3. a 'hawk
4. a belt knife
......and makin' these things is wayyy bettern buyin' 'em!

 

[BCRider]

Kb', I've got the measure listed as well as the patch knife on the belt.

The loading block you mention puzzles me though. Can you give me a better description of it?

The club here does the 'hawk and knife part after the actual shooting on a separate trail walk. So I don't need to carry those two things on me during the shooting walk. But I'll likely make up a separate 'cross the shoulder belt with scabbards for these two items which I can then wear separately in case of some combined event.

With all this stuff it's a wonder the old mountain men were able to even WALK...

 

[mykeal]

Loading block:

http://www.trackofthewolf.com/Categories/PartDetail.aspx/208/1/BLOCK-45

 

[Armored farmer]

I see them now, my oversight. (so much for my speed reading ability)
......the loading block?
Usually a thin piece of board (pallet material would work) with holes drilled into it that are the proper size for patched round ball to be pushed into the holes. The board is then attached to your possibles bag, or worn on a string around your neck. When you are ready to reload, just dump in your powder, then place the block on top of your barrel, and using your ramrod or starter, punch the prb out of the block....and down the barrel. Sort of an early day speedloader. Also keeps patches and balls organized in your bag. Furthermore...say you have a 10 shot woodswalk, if you have a 10rd loading block.....it is easy to keep track of your shots/progress.

 

[Armored farmer]

....or as Mykeal knows, a picture is worth 1000 words.

 

[BCRider]

That loading block is an interesting idea. I'd need to make likely two or three of them since our regular trail is 26 shots.

I'm beginning to think I'll go with premade and pre-measured paper or brass cartridges where the ball and patch is snugged into the end of the tube which holds my powder. Pull 'em out of the possibles bag, tug the patch and ball out using the patch as a handle then pour powder, put empty casing into spare pocket, place and set patch and ball normally. Seems like a lot less fuss that way.

 

[Armored farmer]

You'll find what works best for you. Don't overlook the tried and true methods, When in Rome.......etc. The pre-measured loads work great for me while hunting, just don't forget to do it ahead of time.
One of the events at a local club is 'shoot from the bag' only.....no toolboxes, range rods, or bench loading allowed.

 

[TheRodDoc]

You can make A loading block With measured powder in it to. Lubed patches, Balls, Powder and Inline capper all in the block. Recess the under side of block for muzzle. Centers ball for easy loading.

 

[Ryden]

@Doc
That's a sweet CAD! My balls aren't that shiny though...

You seem to have the essentials covered.

I'd just add the AMEX things: (don't leave home without it)
Water
Matches
Ear plugs
Belt knife (move the patch knife to the strap)
And since this is a flintlock, don't forget your shooting glasses.

26 pre-loaded charges would be a better idea than loose powder and balls.
I use plastic test tubes I begged from the nurse in my local clinic.
Paper cartridges would be more HC...