As a longtime dyed in the wool "dangler" the ONLY thing I can ever recall loosing was the fiddle plug for my powder horn, that happened years ago when it was 'stylish' to remove the plug with your teeth, and pour your charge.
Since that time I have secured that plug to the horn with a short piece of sinew, and I have shortened the front straps on all my horns so the horn spout is always pointed up.
I love the idea of a thumb start, a smooth follow thru with the ramrod, followed by a bounce or two of the rod to insure proper seating of the PRB.....a dream of mine, for sure.
But, I just ain't found the right components to do this with, and still deliver the accuracy I insist on...and I've been looking hard for that just right combination for quite some time now.
Uncle Russ...