“Quickloads”?

[Forager]

I know there were load blocks with PRBs or lead bullets in them, but what about tube-type quick loaders (like the modern plastic ones) made from wood, bone, or brass or copper?  Thinking about making some off various materials, but curious as to their “validity”.

Thanks!

[Spotted Bull]

Well there are paper quickloads...

[Forager]

True.  Terrible in wet conditions.

[Ohio Joe]

Well, it seems to me I saw some folks shooting a match lock and they were carrying their powder in dangling wood or bamboo tubes - but I don't believe there was a patch & ball in those tubes. As Spotted Bull mentioned - Paper Quick Loads.

Let me see if I can find Rob Enfield's youtube video about cartridges for the muzzle loading Baker Rifle. If I find it, I'll post it here in this thread.

[Ohio Joe]

Here you go;

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=Paper+Cartridges+Baker+Rifle+youtube&view=detail&mid=2C127661285CE457C90E2C127661285CE457C90E&FORM=VIRE

[doggoner]

True.  Terrible in wet conditions.

I believe it would depend on the paper used. Think waxed paper and make your own with bees wax. Then load like a musket.

doggoner

[Winter Hawk]

Paper cartridges, kept in a pouch on the belt or in a haversack would be about the most authentic.  Probably would be about as dry as any other way of carrying a load as any, especially if the pouch were kept inside your frock or hunting shirt during inclement weather.  Much past your time frame, but in Nessmuk's book when he describes his trek across Michigan he mentions that he only half a dozen cartridges (IIRC) left when he started out.  He was carrying a Billinghurst M/L rifle.  It would be less problems with rain than trying to pour powder from a horn into a measure, and then into the muzzle.

If paper were a problem I believe the various military arsenals would have developed something different.  My opinion, not based on anything factual....

~Kees~

[Forager]

Thanks, all!  I believe I’ll try paper cartridges for the T/C .56 smoothbore, as it makes as much sense for that as any and the paper could be a very effective under and over ball wadding.

[Hanshi]

  I've never thought the words "muzzleloader": and "quick" anything belonged in the same sentence.  To me a quick load is about a 5 minute process.  My nickname has NEVER been "Lightning".

[Oldetexian]

Yup! Couldn't agree more! Been reading recently about Simeon Kenton and others loading on the run...can't even begin to imagine that... I have a enough difficulties just loading on the firing line 

[AxelP]

I have loaded my smoothbore while walking (during a local pheasant hunt) but never tried it at a run.

[Ohio Joe]

In actuality it's not that difficult to get 4 shots off (starting with a loaded rifle) in one minute. I can do this with either flint or caplock rifle's... Now I'm talking standing your ground, not running through the woods... Here's the thing in getting it done;

One must know exactly where everything is that you need, and in my case I don't have to go into my shooting bag at all. Outside my bag - my horn and powder measure is always in the same place, then my ball block with lubed patched balls, then my short starter, (ram the load home), then my caps are in a piece of hole punched leather for the #11 cap / and or - just prime from the horn (depending on which rifle you're using).

It's not hard at all if you stay to one loading routine with your components always in the same place.

I will admit that since I've grown older (like we all do) I've probably lost some speed in loading - but then if I'm starting with a loaded rifle - 3 shots in one minute ain't bad either.

Here's a good test; set a 100 yard TQ-4 NRA target out at 25 yards - and just see how many shots you can get off in one minute (starting with a loaded rifle - then reloading as fast as you can - your time starts at the word "go"). Don't worry about hitting the "X" Ring - just hit the target somewhere... The reason being - if you're having to reload and shoot fast you're probably in some kind of danger that's close to you and as "big as a man's bread-basket" so get a round (or two or three or four) into that target paper that is 14" x 14" square. If you can do 3 or 4 shots in one minute you probably have a good chance at surviving the reason you'd have to reload fast.     

[Oldetexian]

WOW. Thanks, Joe. What you posted makes perfect sense, especially seeing it clearly stated. Part of the speed has to be attributed to "muscle memory." That's why the constant repetition of doing everything in the same order with everything always in the same place make so much sense.

I like the idea of trying to get off as many shots as possible in a minute. That is an exercise that would be both different and fun...definitely going on my shooting ideas list.

[Spotted Bull]

I have been part of a contest, that involved speed shooting and loading. The idea was to cut a 2×4 that was in the ground in half as quickly as possible.

[prairie dog]

loading for ultra accuracy and loading for speed to save your bacon is two different ball games and that's for certain.  I'll take a twice barrel percussion shotgun for the bacon saving.