blackpowder muzzleloading with modern gun

[short barrel]

I saw a video somewhere recently where an off-the-grid fellow explained and demonstrated how to use your break-open single barrel shotgun as a muzzleloader. He cut the fired plastic shell off at the top of the brass. Punched out the dead primer and inserted a new 209. All done outside with pieces of wood. Then he closed the action and loaded his blackpowder, wads, cards and shot FROM THE MUZZLE.

Not legal as a muzzleloader during that season, put still pretty interesting.

 

[D. Buck Stopshere]

The only problem with that unsafe design is having the primer to have a hang-fire. Without thinking, the hunter breaks open the action, and the load ignites, pushing the shell into his forehead, causing a fatality.

A similar accident happened to a hunter back in the '80's armed with a H&R Huntsman model muzzle loading rifle. The Huntsman came in about three different designs, basically dependent on how the breech plug came out. His had the easily removable breechplug.

Having a hang-fire in his tree stand, he immediately broke open the gun to investigate. At that moment, the powder ignited, propelling the breechplug into his forehead and killing him on his stand.

It was reported in the NMLRA "Muzzle Blasts" magazine.

 

[4v50 Gary]

I've seen a Henry rifle (the Civil War Henry) that was converted to a percussion fired muzzle loader. I guess the fellow couldn't get cartridges and had it converted.

 

[Choctaw]

I've seen a Henry rifle (the Civil War Henry) that was converted to a percussion fired muzzle loader. I guess the fellow couldn't get cartridges and had it converted.

Wow, I love having BP guns, but not enough to convert a Civil War Henry. That just ain't right.

 

[Stormson]

I saw a video somewhere recently where an off-the-grid fellow explained and demonstrated how to use your break-open single barrel shotgun as a muzzleloader. He cut the fired plastic shell off at the top of the brass. Punched out the dead primer and inserted a new 209. All done outside with pieces of wood. Then he closed the action and loaded his blackpowder, wads, cards and shot FROM THE MUZZLE.

The guys name is Dave Canterbury... Founder of the Pathfinder Self Reliance School. http://www.selfrelianceoutfitters.com/

The only problem with that unsafe design is having the primer to have a hang-fire. Without thinking, the hunter breaks open the action, and the load ignites, pushing the shell into his forehead, causing a fatality.

Seems that could be a danger with ANY load.. BP or smokeless? Firearms are not for the unthinking... and opening ANY hangfire that way doesnt seem the smartest of ideas. Pretty simple to keep the possibility in mind and just open the shotgun in a safe direction...

 

[Malachi Leviticus Blue]

I don't like the idea of loading down the barrel over a live primer, but I'd do it in a heartbeat under extreme circumstances if that was my only option.

 

[Stormson]

I don't like the idea of loading down the barrel over a live primer, but I'd do it in a heartbeat under extreme circumstances if that was my only option.

Yeah.. I never understood doing it THIS way either. It CAN be done, and safely I think as long as one keeps ones wits about himself, but it is only one way to do it. Its almost as easy to cut off the crimp of a fired shell, reprime in the same manner, and then load up the whole shell... Possibly topping it off with paper and wax.. Pretty fragile things when done that way, but with care one could carry more then one shot.

 

[Loyalist Dave]

I think it's really just for an emergency situation.

Not legal as a muzzleloader during that season, put still pretty interesting.

Um.... you have to read your local state regulations. Alabama, for example, defines a "primitive" rifle as a single shot...including breechloaders. Some states say a "muzzleloader" has to be loaded from the muzzle, but don't say may only be loaded from the muzzle of the barrel.

LD

 

[Patocazador]

I think it's really just for an emergency situation.



Um.... you have to read your local state regulations. Alabama, for example, defines a "primitive" rifle as a single shot...including breechloaders. Some states say a "muzzleloader" has to be loaded from the muzzle, but don't say may only be loaded from the muzzle of the barrel.

LD

Unfortunately, a trip to court would be required to determine this ... and an understanding judge.

I'd love to hunt with my Ruger No. 1 during muzzleloading season.

 

[Loyalist Dave]

Unfortunately, a trip to court would be required to determine this ... and an understanding judge.

Not in all cases, as I pointed out... Alabama is one clear exception to the blanket statement.

LD

 

[noelf2]

The only problem with that unsafe design is having the primer to have a hang-fire. Without thinking, the hunter breaks open the action, and the load ignites, pushing the shell into his forehead, causing a fatality.

It's a break action shotgun. The same thing could happen with a regular shotshell hang fire, although I've never heard of such a thing. Doing the black powder thing like Dave Canterbury shows doesn't make anything more dangerous than it already was (if it was), except for the loading over a live primer.