U.S. patent application number 10/970322 was filed with the patent office on 2006-04-27 for system for loading a muzzle-loading firearm with smokeless or black powder.
Invention is credited to Anthony J. Kirkpatrick.
Application Number | 20060086029 10/970322 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36204870 |
Filed Date | 2006-04-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060086029 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kirkpatrick; Anthony J. |
April 27, 2006 |
System for loading a muzzle-loading firearm with smokeless or black
powder
Abstract
The present invention discloses a method and system of loading
an in-line muzzle-loading firearm. A projectile is rammed into a
muzzle end of a barrel of the in-line muzzle-loading firearm such
that a bottom portion of the projectile is adjacent or in close
proximity with the breech end of a breech plug. A pre-measured
powder cartridge is then inserted within a cartridge receiving bore
of the breech plug such that a forward end of the pre-measured
powder cartridge is adjacent a bottom portion of the projectile and
a rim of the cartridge engages a first annular lip of the breech
plug. The cartridge may then be secured within the breech plug by
action of a bolt mechanism or a break open receiver mechanism.
Inventors: |
Kirkpatrick; Anthony J.;
(Butler, IN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SOMMER BARNARD ATTORNEYS,P.C.
ONE INDIANA SQ, SUITE 3500
INDIANAPOLIS
IN
46204
US
|
Family ID: |
36204870 |
Appl. No.: |
10/970322 |
Filed: |
October 21, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
42/51 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41C 9/08 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
042/051 |
International
Class: |
F41C 7/00 20060101
F41C007/00 |
Claims
1. A method of loading an in-line muzzle-loading firearm,
comprising the steps of: placing a projectile into a muzzle end of
a barrel; ramming said projectile down said barrel until said
projectile reaches a breech end of said barrel; inserting a
pre-measured powder cartridge within a cartridge receiving bore of
a breech plug such that a discharge end of said pre-measured powder
cartridge is located at least in close proximity to a bottom
portion of said projectile, wherein said cartridge receiving bore
extends along a central longitudinal axis through at least a
portion of said breech plug, wherein a rim of said pre-measured
powder cartridge rests within an annular recess located on a front
end of said breech plug, wherein said pre-measured powder cartridge
includes a primer, a pre-measured powder charge and a pre-sized
wad; and securing said pre-measured powder cartridge within said
breech plug such that said in-line muzzle-loading firearm is ready
to discharge said projectile once a firing mechanism is
actuated.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein said breech plug includes an
annular lip located on a rearward end of said breech plug that
extends within said cartridge receiving bore a predetermined
distance to define a discharge aperture.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein said pre-measured powder charge
and said pre-sized wad are positioned within a cylindrical portion
of said pre-measured powder cartridge, wherein said discharge end
of said pre-measured powder cartridge is aligned with said
discharge aperture defined by said annular lip such that said
cylindrical portion of said pre-measured powder cartridge is
adjacent said annular lip.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of said
projectile is encompassed by a sabot.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein said breech plug includes an
annular recess on a rearward end of said breech plug, wherein a
bottom portion of said projectile fits within said annular recess
of said breech plug.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein said pre-measured powder charge
is comprises smokeless powder.
7. An in-line muzzle-loading firearm, comprising: a barrel having a
muzzle end, a breech end, a front opening at said muzzle end, a
back opening at said breech end and a bore extending along a
central longitudinal axis from said front opening to said back
opening, wherein said bore includes internal threads adjacent said
back opening; a breech plug having a forward end with external
threads for screwing into the internal threads of said barrel,
wherein said breech plug includes a cartridge receiving bore
extending along a central longitudinal axis through at least a
portion of said breech plug and an annular recess formed at a
rearward end of said breech plug; a pre-measured powder cartridge
for insertion into said breech plug, wherein said pre-measured
powder cartridge includes an annular rim and a cylindrical portion
extending a predetermined distance along a central longitudinal
axis from said annular rim, wherein said annular rim includes a
primer and said cylindrical portion encompasses a pre-measured
powder charge and a pre-sized wad, wherein said annular rim fits
within said annular recess of said breech plug and said cylindrical
portion fits within said cartridge receiving bore of said breech
plug; a projectile for insertion into said muzzle end of said
barrel, wherein said projectile is rammed down said barrel to said
breech end of said barrel such that said projectile is adjacent a
front end of said breech plug; a locking mechanism for securing
said pre-measured powder cartridge within said cartridge receiving
bore; and a firing mechanism for striking said primer of said
pre-measured powder cartridge.
8. The in-line muzzle-loading firearm of claim 7, wherein said
cartridge receiving bore extends through said breech plug a length
equal to the length of said cylindrical portion of said
pre-measured powder cartridge.
9. The in-line muzzle-loading firearm of claim 7, wherein said
breech plug includes a lip extending inward at the rearward end of
said cartridge receiving bore a predetermined distance to define a
discharge aperture in said breech plug, wherein a discharge end of
said pre-measured powder cartridge is aligned with said discharge
aperture defined by said lip when said pre-measured powder
cartridge is inserted in said breech plug.
10. The in-line muzzle-loading firearm of claim 7, wherein said
pre-measured powder charge comprises smokeless powder.
11. The in-line muzzle-loading firearm of claim 7, wherein said
locking mechanism comprises a bolt action receiver that is capable
of being positioned between an open position and a closed
position.
12. The in-line muzzle-loading firearm of claim 7, wherein said
locking mechanism comprises a break open receiver that is capable
of being positioned between an open position and a closed
position.
13. A method of loading an in-line muzzle-loading firearm,
comprising the steps of: placing a projectile into a muzzle end of
a barrel; ramming said projectile down said barrel until said
projectile reaches a breech end of said barrel; inserting a
pre-measured powder cartridge within a cartridge receiving bore of
a breech such that a discharge end of said pre-measured powder
cartridge is located adjacent a bottom portion of said projectile,
wherein a rim of said pre-measured powder cartridge rests within an
annular recess of said breech, wherein said pre-measured powder
cartridge includes a primer, a pre-measured powder charge and a
pre-sized wad; and securing said pre-measured powder cartridge
within said breech plug such that said in-line muzzle-loading
firearm is ready to discharge said projectile once a firing
mechanism is actuated.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein said pre-measured powder charge
comprises smokeless powder.
15. An in-line muzzle-loading firearm, comprising: a barrel having
a breech end and a muzzle end; a breech aligned with said breech
end of said barrel including a means for receiving a pre-measured
powder cartridge having a primer, a pre-measured powder charge and
a pre-sized wad; means for securing said pre-measured powder
cartridge in said breech; and means for actuating said pre-measured
powder cartridge by igniting said primer.
16. The in-line muzzle-loading firearm of claim 15, wherein said
pre-measured powder charge comprises smokeless powder.
17. The in-line muzzle-loading firearm of claim 15, wherein said
means for securing comprises a bolt action receiver that is capable
of being positioned between an open position and a closed
position.
18. The in-line muzzle-loading firearm of claim 15, wherein said
means for securing comprises a break open receiver that is capable
of being positioned between an open position and a closed
position.
19. The in-line muzzle-loading firearm of claim 15, wherein said
means for actuating comprises a firing mechanism.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Technical Field
[0002] The present invention relates generally to muzzle-loading
firearms, and more particularly, to a system and method for loading
a muzzle-loading firearm with smokeless or black powder that is
safer, provides better shooting accuracy, and requires less
cleaning time in the case of using smokeless powder.
[0003] 2. Related Art
[0004] A muzzleloader is one of the earliest types of gun, now also
popular as modern-made replicas, in which black powder and
projectiles are separately loaded in through the muzzle of a
barrel. As known in the art, the term muzzle is used to refer to
the discharging end of a firearm. Muzzle-loading firearms are
typically loaded by measuring a predetermined amount of black
powder out into a powder measure, pouring the measured powder down
the muzzle, placing a wad in the muzzle end of the barrel, and then
ramming a bullet on top of the wad and powder into a breech of the
muzzleloader. Once this is accomplished, an ignition system or
percussion cap is placed into the opposite end of the breech and
the muzzleloader is ready to fire.
[0005] Conventional muzzle-loading firearms include a barrel that
extends forward from a receiver. The rearward end of the barrel
includes a breech that receives propellant and a projectile through
the muzzle of the barrel. A breech plug may be threadably mounted
in the receiver and seals the rearward end of the barrel, in the
breech, to help prevent gases from blowing back into the receiver
upon ignition of the propellant within the breech. In percussion
muzzle-loaders, a nipple may be mounted in the rear end of the
breach plug with a projecting rearward end adapted to receive a
percussion cap thereon. When struck by a hammer or firing pin, the
percussion cap is fired and ignition sparks travel through a
central bore in the breech plug the length of the nipple to ignite
the black powder in the breech. As set forth above, the ignition
spark travels through an ignition bore in the breech plug to reach
and ignite the propellant in the breech.
[0006] At the present time, only one known muzzle-loading firearm
has been designed for use with smokeless powder, which is the
Savage 10ML-II manufactured by Savage Arms, Inc. under U.S. Pat.
No. 6,516,549 and is hereby incorporated by reference in its
entirety. Smokeless powder was introduced as a black powder
replacement in the 1880's. Besides generating less smoke, smokeless
powder burns much cleaner and more efficiently than black powder,
greatly reducing powder fouling and increasing the performance of
firearms. Smokeless powder loads are also non-corrosive, more
economical to shoot, perform better and are safer to handle than
black powder or Pyrodex. Black powder contains a lot less
energy-per-grain than smokeless powder and as such, more black
powder is needed to achieve the same muzzle velocities. Although
smokeless powders produce the same muzzle velocities as black
powder, they do so at higher pressure levels (e.g. -25-40,000 psi
versus 15-18,000 psi).
[0007] Smokeless powder does not explode when unconfined, unlike
black powder, which makes smokeless powder safer to handle as
opposed to black powder or Pyrodex. Technically, smokeless powder
does not explode, but burns rapidly. Smokeless powders are
classified as flammable solids. The rapid burning releases a volume
of expanding gasses which, if confined in the chamber of a firearm,
accelerate the bullet (or shot charge) down the barrel, producing a
high muzzle velocity in a very short distance. As a result of the
high pressure levels associated with smokeless powder, almost all
muzzle-loading experts and gun powder manufacturers do not
recommend using smokeless powder in muzzle-loading firearms because
of the risk of damaging the firearm.
[0008] One concern with muzzle-loading centers on the possibility
of burning material remaining in the barrel after a shot. If powder
is poured into the barrel in this situation, the powder could
ignite and possibly injure the shooter. Another major concern of
the muzzle-loading shooter is whether the muzzleloader will fire
when the trigger is pulled. Improved ignition is what has driven
muzzleloader development over the course of time. Moisture in
either the black powder or percussion cap can cause the
muzzleloader not to fire.
[0009] Cleaning any muzzleloader has always been a major concern
among shooters looking at muzzle-loading for the first time. The
thought of having to thoroughly scrub corrosive fouling from the
bore and other parts after every shooting session has kept many
shooters from purchasing a muzzle-loading firearm. If smokeless
powder could be used with in-line muzzle-loading firearms, this
would eliminate many cleanings that are required from using black
powder or Pyrodex.
[0010] As a result of the aforementioned problems, a need exists
for a method and system of loading in-line muzzle-loading firearms
with powder that is safe, provides improved accuracy, and allows
the use of smokeless powder.
SUMMARY
[0011] The present invention discloses a method and system for
loading an in-line muzzle-loading firearm as well as an in-line
muzzle-loading firearm. The present invention eliminates the need
for a shooter to pour a measured powder charge down a muzzle end of
a barrel of the in-line muzzle-loading firearm, but still allows
the shooter to load a projectile or bullet through the muzzle end
of the barrel. A breech of the muzzle-loading firearm, or a breech
plug in alternative embodiments, may be designed to hold a
pre-measured powder cartridge. Preferentially, the pre-measured
powder cartridge includes smokeless powder as the powder charge so
that the in-line muzzle-loading firearm stays cleaner and requires
less maintenance.
[0012] One illustrative method or process disclosed herein includes
the step of ramming a projectile into the muzzle end of the barrel
such that a bottom portion of the projectile is adjacent or in
close proximity with the breech end of the breech plug. A
pre-measured powder cartridge is then inserted within a cartridge
receiving bore of the breech plug such that a forward end of the
cartridge is adjacent or in close proximity with a bottom portion
of the projectile and a rim of the cartridge engages a first
annular recess of the breech plug. The pre-measured powder
cartridge includes a pre-measured powder charge and a pre-sized
wad, thereby eliminating the need for the shooter to measure
powder, pour it into the breech of the firearm, and then ram a wad
down on top of the powder. The pre-measured powder cartridge may
then be secured within the breech plug by action of a bolt
mechanism or by closing a break open receiver mechanism, as the
case may be, both of which are commonly known and used in the
art.
[0013] In alternative embodiments of the present invention, an
in-line muzzle-loading firearm may be designed or modified to use
the breech and pre-measured powder cartridge combination disclosed
by the present invention. The breech may or may not include a
breech plug. The breech may include a cartridge receiving bore and
an annular recess. The annular recess may be located at the loading
end of the breech and is somewhat larger than the cartridge
receiving bore such that a rim of a pre-measured powder cartridge
may fit within an inside diameter of the first annular recess a
predetermined distance when loaded in the breech. A cylindrical
portion of the pre-measured powder cartridge fits within the
cartridge receiving bore. In some embodiments, the cartridge
receiving bore has a pre-determined depth and in other embodiments
may travel the entire length of the breech.
[0014] The breech may include a ridge located at the barrel end of
the breech that may have an inside diameter somewhat smaller than
the inside diameter of the cartridge receiving bore. The ridge may
be designed this way such that fixed ammunition cannot be loaded
into the in-line muzzle-loading firearm. When the pre-measured
powder cartridge is loaded in the breech, the cylindrical portion
of the pre-measured powder cartridge includes a rearward or barrel
end that is positioned adjacent or in close proximity with an
inside edge of the ridge. Preferentially, an aperture formed by the
ridge has an inside diameter that is just small enough so that
fixed ammunition cannot be loaded into the breech.
[0015] A discharge opening of the cylindrical portion of the
pre-measured smokeless powder cartridge is aligned with the
aperture formed by the ridge. A projectile is positioned within the
barrel such that the discharge opening of the cylindrical portion
of the pre-measured smokeless powder cartridge, which is aligned
with the aperture formed by the ridge, is adjacent or in close
proximity with an edge of the projectile. Thus, when a firing
mechanism triggers the pre-measured powder cartridge, the pressure
generated from the ignition forces the projectile down the barrel
and out the muzzle end of the barrel.
[0016] The present invention eliminates problems associated with
having to measure powder in the field between shots as well as
having to carry powder and a powder measuring device in the field.
Carrying and handling powder in the field is inherently dangerous
because powder is an explosive. Having a pre-measured powder charge
eliminates the potential for having too much or to little powder,
which has a direct impact on the overall accuracy of the firearm.
In addition, the present invention significantly reduces reloading
time between shots. If smokeless powder is used as the propellant
in the pre-measured powder cartridge, it burns cleaner, is
non-corrosive, more economical, performs better and is safer to
handle than black powder or Pyrodex. This saves hours of cleaning
time for the shooter. In addition, having a pre-measured powder
charge in the pre-measured smokeless cartridge that is sealed by a
wad thereby making it weather resistant significantly minimizes the
chances for misfires caused by wet gun powder or wet percussion
caps.
[0017] Other systems, methods, features and advantages of the
invention will be, or will become apparent to one with skill in the
art upon examination of the following figures and detailed
description. It is intended that all such additional systems,
methods, features and advantages be included within this
description, be within the scope of the invention, and be protected
by the following claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale,
emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of
the invention. Moreover, in the figures, like reference numerals
designate corresponding parts throughout the different views.
[0019] FIG. 1 depicts an illustrative in-line muzzle-loading
firearm.
[0020] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the in-line
muzzle-loading firearm depicted in FIG. 1.
[0021] FIG. 3 illustrates a breech plug and a smokeless powder
cartridge.
[0022] FIG. 4 illustrates a breech plug and the components placed
in the smokeless powder cartridge.
[0023] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of another
in-line muzzle-loading firearm.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0024] Referring to FIG. 1, an in-line muzzle-loading firearm 10 is
illustrated that includes a barrel 12, a receiver 14 and a gun
stock 16. The barrel 12 extends forwardly from a forward end of the
receiver 14 a predetermined length. The barrel 12 and receiver 14
may be connected with the gun stock 16. Although not specifically
illustrated in FIG. 1, the barrel 12 may be connected with the
receiver 14 using several different connection methods or devices.
For example, in some embodiments of the present invention, an
outside surface of the breech end of the barrel 12 may include
threads and an inside surface of the receiver 14 may include
matching threads that allow the barrel 12 to be screwed into the
receiver 14. The depiction of the in-line muzzle-loading firearm 10
illustrated in FIG. 1 is for illustrative purposes only and should
not be construed as a limitation of the present invention.
[0025] Referring to FIG. 2, the in-line muzzle-loading firearm 10
may include a breech 18 that is located at the rearward end of the
barrel 12 and the forward end of the receiver 14. As known in the
art, the breech 18 of a firearm is typically the portion of the
firearm located at the rear end of the barrel 12 and is designed,
in the case of muzzle-loading firearms, to receive the propellant
(black powder or a black powder substitute such as Pyrodex) and a
projectile or bullet. As set forth in greater detail below, the
present invention eliminates the need for a shooter to pour
propellant through the muzzle of the barrel 12 down into the breech
18 and also allows the shooter to use smokeless powder charges in
the muzzle-loading firearm 10, which are cleaner burning, safer to
handle, non-corrosive, more economical, and performs better than
traditional black powder or Pyrodex.
[0026] The receiver 14 may include a receiver bore 20 having a
forward end connected with the breech 18 and a rearward end
connected with an end cap 22. The breech end of the barrel 12 may
be internally threaded to receive a breech plug 24, which may
include external threads that engage the internal threads of the
barrel 12. As illustrated, an exterior surface of the breech end of
barrel 12 may be threaded to engage an internal threaded opening of
the receiver 14. Although not illustrated, in alternative
embodiments, the forward end of the receiver 14 may be internally
threaded to receive the breech plug 24 therein. For the purpose of
the present invention, it is important to note that the breech plug
24 may be positioned in the forward end of the receiver 14 or the
breech end of the barrel 12. If the breech plug 24 is positioned in
the receiver 14, the breech end of the breech plug 24 may fit
within a portion of the inside diameter of the barrel 12.
[0027] A bolt 26 may be slidably mounted within the receiver bore
20 rearwardly of the breech plug 24. The bolt 26 may include a
firing pin 28 slidably positioned through a centrally disposed
axial aperture 30 from the rearward to the forward end of the bolt
26. The muzzle-loading firearm 10 may include a hammer 32 that may
include a head 34 that is slidably positioned within the receiver
bore 20 rearwardly of the bolt 26, and a shank 36 projecting
rearwardly through an aperture in the end cap 22. The shank 36 may
serve as a cocking handle for the hammer 32.
[0028] Although an in-line muzzle-loading firearm 10 is illustrated
in FIGS. 1 and 2, in which cartridges are loaded through an
aperture in the bolt mechanism, those skilled in the art should
also recognize that the present invention may be adapted for use in
in-line muzzle-loading firearms 10 that include break open
receivers. In in-line muzzle-loading firearms 10 that include break
open receivers, the receiver breaks open like a traditional shotgun
so that cartridges may be loaded into the breech plug 24 or breech
of the firearm. As set forth in greater detail below, the present
invention may be readily adapted for use in break open receiver
in-line muzzle-loading firearms 10.
[0029] Referring to FIG. 3, the breech plug 24 may include an
exterior threaded portion 38 that engages the interior threads of a
forward end of the receiver bore 20 or the breech end of the barrel
12 as the case may be. The rearward end of the breech plug 24 may
include at least one notch 40 that is adapted to receive a tool for
rotating the breech plug 24 and inserting or removing the breech
plug 24 from the forward end of the receiver 14 or the barrel 12.
The notches 40 may also be used to assist in the removal of the
pre-measured powder cartridges disclosed below as well. The breech
plug 24 is preferentially secured in either the receiver 14 or the
barrel 12 such that gas pressure is not allowed to escape back into
the receiver 14, which could damage the receiver 14.
[0030] A cartridge receiving chamber or bore 42 may be formed in
the breech plug 24 to receive a pre-measured smokeless powder
cartridge 44 therein. The cartridge receiving bore 42 may run
completely through the entire length of the breech plug 24 or may
travel to a predetermined depth in the breech plug 24. The breech
plug 24 may also include a first annular recess 46 that is sized to
engage a cylindrical or annular rim 48 of the pre-measured
smokeless powder cartridge 44. The recess 46 may be of a sufficient
depth to encompass the entire width of the rim 48 or a portion of
the rim 48 of the pre-measured smokeless powder cartridge 44. As
illustrated in FIG. 2, the breech plug 24 may also include a second
annular recess 49 at the breech end of the breech plug 24 in which
a sabot or projectile may be positioned through the muzzle of the
barrel 12.
[0031] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the pre-measured smokeless
powder cartridge 44 is preferably manufactured from copper, a
copper alloy, brass, or some other equivalent metal or metal alloy,
and includes a forward end 50 and a rearward end 52. As set forth
generally above, the forward end 50 of the pre-measured smokeless
powder cartridge 44 may include a rim 48 that is designed to engage
and fit within an inside diameter of the recess 46 of the breech
plug 24. The pre-measured smokeless powder cartridge 44 also
includes a cylindrical portion 54 that is connected with or formed
in conjunction with the rim 48 and is designed to fit within the
inside diameter of the cartridge receiving chamber 42 of the breech
plug 24. The cylindrical portion 54 of the pre-measured smokeless
powder cartridge 44 has an outside diameter just big enough to
allow the pre-measured smokeless powder cartridge 44 to be
positioned inside the inside diameter of the cartridge receiving
chamber 42 so that the pre-measured smokeless powder cartridge 44
may be inserted and removed from the breech plug 24. The breech
plug 24, the receiver 14 (if applicable), the pre-measured
smokeless powder cartridge 44 and the barrel 12 all ensure that the
pressure generated when the in-line muzzle-loading firearm 10 is
fired does not damage the in-line muzzle-loading firearm 10.
[0032] The cylindrical portion 54 of the pre-measured smokeless
powder cartridge 44 is preferentially hollow so that a pre-loaded
powder charge 56 and a pre-sized wad 58 may be inserted or loaded
into the cylindrical portion 54 of the pre-measured smokeless
powder cartridge 44. The pre-measured smokeless powder cartridge 44
may also include a primer 60 that may be located about a center
axis on the outer surface of the forward end 50 of the pre-measured
smokeless powder cartridge 44. The primer 60 is used to ignite the
pre-loaded powder charge 56. The pre-measured smokeless powder
cartridge 44 is detonated by causing a striking blow to be
delivered to the primer 60, which then ignites the pre-loaded
powder charge 56. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the
firing pin 28 is used to deliver the striking blow to the primer
60. As set forth in greater detail below, the pre-measured
smokeless powder cartridge 44 in conjunction with the breech plug
24 and the barrel 12 and/or receiver 14, provide sufficient
strength and reinforcement to withstand the pressures generated by
igniting the smokeless powder charge 56.
[0033] Referring to FIG. 4, the pre-loaded powder charge 56 is
preferentially comprised of smokeless powder that has been
pre-measured to provide a constant and consistent muzzle velocity
and amount of gas pressure every time the in-line muzzle-loading
firearm 10 is fired. Although smokeless powder is used in the
preferred embodiment as the propellant in the pre-measured
smokeless powder cartridge 44, in other embodiments of the present
invention black powder, Pyrodex or a black powder substitute may
also be used as the propellant in the pre-measured smokeless powder
cartridge 44. The amount of smokeless powder or other powder used
to fill the pre-measured smokeless powder cartridge 44 may be
adjusted to obtain optimum pressure levels depending on the type of
in-line muzzle-loading firearm 10 being used by the shooter.
However, more black powder or a black powder substitute will be
required to produce the same muzzle velocities as smokeless
powder.
[0034] In the preferred embodiment of the invention, a
predetermined or precise amount of smokeless powder or another
powder is poured into the hollow end of the smokeless pre-measured
powder cartridge 44 until it fills the entire hollow portion of the
pre-measured smokeless powder cartridge 44. Once this is
accomplished, the pre-sized wad 58 may be press fit or friction fit
within the inside diameter of the hollow portion of the smokeless
powder cartridge 44 thereby compacting the powder down into the
pre-measured smokeless powder cartridge 44. Other amounts of powder
may be placed in the pre-measured smokeless powder cartridge 44
depending upon the application. The pre-sized wad 58 may be a
gasket or cork material that is preferably heat and moisture
resistant and is used to ensure that the powder does not fall out
of the pre-measured smokeless powder cartridge 44. In addition, the
pre-sized wad 58 ensures that sparks and moisture cannot get to the
powder in the pre-measured smokeless powder cartridge 44, which
helps ensure that the powder will not inadvertently ignite during
loading and the in-line muzzle-loading firearm 10 will fire when a
trigger that is connected with a firing mechanism is pulled by the
shooter.
[0035] A known problem with prior art muzzle-loading practices is
that inconsistent amounts of powder are poured into the muzzle of
the muzzle-loading firearm 10 when loading the weapon and as a
result, it is difficult to be accurate with the muzzle-loading
firearm 10 because projectiles travel at varying muzzle velocities
depending on the amount of powder poured into the muzzle end of the
barrel 12. Using the present invention, the muzzle velocity of the
projectile remains constant as a precise amount of powder is placed
within the pre-measured smokeless powder cartridge 44 every time.
The length and size of the pre-measured smokeless powder cartridge
44 will vary from application to application depending on the
characteristics of the in-line muzzle-loading firearm 10 it is
designed for use in.
[0036] In operation, hammer 32 is cocked and released so as to
strike the firing pin 28 thereby causing the firing pin 28 to
strike the primer 60 of the pre-measured smokeless powder cartridge
44. This in turn ignites the charge within the primer 60 producing
sparks that in turn ignite the pre-measured smokeless powder charge
56 located in the pre-measured smokeless powder cartridge 44. As a
result, the pre-sized wad 58 and a projectile or bullet 62 are
forced out of the muzzle end of the barrel 12. The projectile 62
may be encompassed by a sabot 64. The sabot 64 may be a plastic cup
or "shoe" that allows a smaller bullet to be loaded into a given
caliber. The use of sabots 64 provide many advantages, such as,
lighter bullets for increased velocity, longer bullets for the same
weight for better sectional density and ballistic coefficient and
the ability to use bullets made of materials other than soft pure
lead.
[0037] As set forth above, one aspect of the present invention
discloses a method of loading a muzzle-loading firearm 10. A
projectile 62 is rammed into a muzzle end of the barrel 12 until it
reaches a stopping point in the breech end of the barrel 12, which
is preferentially located at the discharge end of the breech plug
24. A pre-measured smokeless powder cartridge 44 may then be
inserted within the cartridge receiving bore 42 of the breech plug
24 such that a forward end of the pre-measured smokeless powder
cartridge 44 is located adjacent a bottom portion of the projectile
62 and a rim 48 of the pre-measured smokeless powder cartridge 44
engages the first annular recess 46 of the breech plug 24. The
pre-measured smokeless powder cartridge 44 includes a pre-measured
powder charge 56 and a pre-sized wad 58. The pre-measured smokeless
powder cartridge 44 may then be secured within the breech plug 24
by a bolt action mechanism (e.g. a bolt action receiver) or by
closing a break open receiver that was opened to load the
pre-measured smokeless powder cartridge 44.
[0038] Referring to FIG. 5, a portion of another embodiment of an
in-line muzzle-loading firearm 10 is illustrated. Although this
embodiment is illustrated as including a breech plug 24 that is
threaded into the breech 18, those skilled in the art should
recognize that the breech 18 of the in-line muzzle-loading firearm
10 may also be designed so that the breech plug 24 may not be
removed. In other words, the elements of the breech plug 24 may be
integrated as part of the breech 18 of the in-line muzzle-loading
firearm 10. As such, the breech 18 may be manufactured to include
all of the aspects of the breech plug 24 disclosed above, but may
not be capable of being removed from the breech 18.
[0039] The breech plug 24 illustrated in FIG. 5 includes the
cartridge receiving bore 42 and the annular recess 46. In addition,
the breech plug 24 may include an annular lip 70 that may be
located at the barrel end of the breech plug 24. The annular lip 70
may be included in the breech plug 24 so that shooters are not
capable of loading fixed ammunition into the in-line muzzle-loading
firearm 10. The annular lip 70 prevents the bullet of a fixed line
ammunition cartridge from passing a predetermined point in the
breech plug 24. As depicted, the projectile 62 and the sabot 64 may
be positioned adjacent the annular lip 70. The discharge end of the
pre-measured smokeless powder cartridge 44 may be positioned
adjacent or in close proximity with the bottom portion of the sabot
64 and/or projectile 62.
[0040] The annular lip 70 may include or define an aperture that is
sized similar to or somewhat smaller than the inside diameter of
the hollow portion of the pre-measured smokeless powder cartridge
44. As such, a small gap 72 may be present between the discharge
end of the pre-measured smokeless powder cartridge 44 and the
bottom portion of the sabot 64 and/or projectile 62.
Preferentially, the diameter of the aperture formed by the annular
lip 70 is equal to the diameter of the discharging end of the
smokeless pre-measured powder cartridge 44 such that all pressure
generated upon ignition of the smokeless pre-measured smokeless
powder cartridge 44 is directed toward the projectile 62. The width
of the cylindrical portion 54 of the pre-measured smokeless powder
cartridge 44 may be the same as the width of an edge 74 formed by
the annular lip 70 so that the width of the edge of the cylindrical
portion 54 aligns with the edge 74 formed by the annular lip
70.
[0041] While the present invention has been described with
reference to specific exemplary embodiments, it will be evident
that various modifications and changes may be made to these
embodiments without departing from the broader spirit and scope of
the invention as set forth in the claims. Accordingly, the
specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative
rather than a restrictive sense.
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