Muzzleloader systems
Muzzleloader systems include a pre-packaged propellant charge and primer for providing efficient loading and unloading of the muzzleloader. The muzzleloader accepts in the breech end the propellant containment vessel that abuts against a constriction portion with a reduced diameter portion. The propellant containment vessel having an end portion with a tapered surface that conforms to the constriction portion surface. A projectile is inserted in the muzzle end and seats against the constriction portion. The propellant containment vessel may be received in a removable breech plug. The constriction portion may be part of the breech plug or a separate component secured in the barrel by way of the breech plug. The containment vessel further comprises a primer mechanism that may be integrated into the proximal end of the containment vessel.
1. A breech-loading muzzleloader, comprising:
a breech chamber portion comprising a breech chamber open rearwardly;
a projectile bore portion comprising a projectile bore open forwardly; and
a constriction portion between the breech chamber and the projectile bore, the constriction portion comprising a reduced diameter portion with a diameter less than a diameter of the projectile bore, the constriction portion comprising a gap between the breech chamber portion and the projectile bore portion;
wherein, when the muzzleloader is loaded for firing: the constriction portion is configured to separate a propellant cartridge mounted in the breech chamber and a projectile mounted in the projectile bore by the gap.
2. The breech-loading muzzleloader of claim 1 , further comprising a breech plug removable from the projectile bore portion, the breech plug comprising the breech chamber and the constriction portion.
3. The breech-loading muzzleloader of claim 1 , wherein the muzzleloader is configured to be operated with break action.
4. The breech-loading muzzleloader of claim 1 , wherein the diameter of the projectile bore is less than the diameter of the breech chamber.
5. The breech-loading muzzleloader of claim 1 , the constriction portion further comprising an increasing diameter from the reduced diameter portion toward the projectile bore.
6. The breech-loading muzzleloader of claim 1 in combination with a propellant cartridge and a projectile,
the propellant cartridge configured for loading in the breech end and comprising a diameter greater than the reduced diameter portion, the propellant cartridge further comprising:
a tubular portion defining an axial cavity, the tubular portion comprising a proximal closed end and a distal end configured to abut the constriction portion,
a recess in the proximal closed end,
a primer received in the recess, and
propellant inside the axial cavity; and
the projectile configured for loading in the muzzle end and comprising a diameter greater than the reduced diameter portion.
7. The combination of claim 6 , the propellant cartridge further comprising a distal end configured to abut the constriction portion, the distal end comprising a polymer disk and an inward crimp configured to engage the polymer disk,
wherein the inward crimp comprises a tapered outer surface configured to conform to the constriction portion.
8. The combination of claim 6 , wherein the projectile does not have a conforming shape to the propellant cartridge.
9. The combination of claim 6 , wherein the projectile comprises a tail portion configured to conform to a muzzle facing surface of the constriction portion.
10. The combination of claim 6 , wherein the projectile does not comprise a propellant.
11. The combination of claim 6 , the projectile further comprising a sabot, and
wherein, when the muzzleloader is loaded with the propellant cartridge and the projectile for firing, the constriction portion is configured to separate the sabot rom the propellant cartridge by the gap.
12. A breech-loading muzzleloader, comprising:
a mount assembly;
a barrel;
a breech chamber portion comprising a breech chamber open rearwardly;
a projectile bore portion, the projectile bore portion comprising a bore and an outer surface encircling the bore, the projectile bore portion being open forwardly;
a constriction portion between the breech chamber and the projectile bore, the constriction portion comprising a reduced diameter portion with a diameter less than a diameter of the projectile bore; and
an engagement mechanism configured to removably secure the barrel to the mount assembly, the engagement mechanism extending from the breech chamber downward and below the outer surface of the projectile bore portion, the engagement mechanism comprising at least a portion of the breech chamber portion configured for receiving a propellant cartridge.
13. The breech-loading muzzleloader of claim 12 , wherein the muzzleloader is configured to be operated with break action, and
the engagement mechanism further comprises one or more cutouts allowing pivoting movement of the barrel relative to the mount assembly during break action.
14. The breech-loading muzzleloader of claim 12 , wherein the engagement mechanism is configured to abut a flange portion of the propellant cartridge.
15. The breech-loading muzzleloader of claim 12 , the engagement mechanism further comprising a proximal portion configured to abut a forward face of a flange portion of the propellant cartridge.
16. The breech-loading muzzleloader of claim 12 , wherein the engagement mechanism is formed unitary with the barrel.
17. The breech-loading muzzleloader of claim 12 , wherein the engagement mechanism is formed unitary with the breech chamber portion.
18. The breech-loading muzzleloader of claim 12 , further comprising a breech plug removable from the breech chamber portion of the barrel, the breech plug comprising the breech chamber and the constriction portion.
19. The breech-loading muzzleloader of claim 12 , wherein the diameter of the projectile bore is less than the diameter of the breech chamber.
20. The breech-loading muzzleloader of claim 12 in combination with a propellant cartridge,
the propellant cartridge configured for loading in the breech end and comprising a diameter greater than the reduced diameter portion, the propellant cartridge containing a propellant, and the propellant cartridge does not comprise a projectile.
21. The combination of claim 20 , wherein the propellant cartridge further comprises a distal end configured to abut the constriction portion, the distal end comprising a polymer disk and an inward crimp configured to engage the polymer disk, and
wherein the inward crimp comprises a tapered outer surface configured to conform to the constriction portion.