What’s in Your Box?

[ET1]

Hopefully Spring is around the corner where my fancy turns to possible range time. My preference for shooting for accuracy is 45-55F temp range where most of my hunting is done. So my thoughts turn to preparing my equipment for readiness when an opportunity arrives.
Over the years I have made and collected/bought numerous items to assist me at the range if required. Also I’m ready to explore any modifications for improvement along with different loads I seek to try. The picture below is of the tool box that carries my basic equipment. Believe it or not there is still a lot more that accompanies me to the range. To some this might appear as overboard or a tedious chore just to shoot some rounds and at times it feels that way. But that is the price I pay for learning and recording results/observations when seeking the best possible outcome.

Where I’m heading is to hear input from others what they feel is basic required equipment to have along when shooting their muzzle loader?
This not about whose tool box is bigger or fuller but a choice of what one feels covers their needs at the range.

ML Box Carrier.JPG

Ed

[MikePal]

I'm with you Ed..I like to be organized....Canadian Tire sells these type of storage boxes and they go on sale regularly so I have one for each type of shooting....the one below I have for the .45 CVA. I have a separate one for the .50, and one for 12 ga BP shotgun. I have yet another with the cleaning stuff.

This also show how I lay it out for loading....left to right.



The storage area in my Man Cave

[GoldenLakePete]

You guys are so organized! I tend to have everything thrown into my "possibles" bag. Although I do have items in separate little bags in the bag.

One thing I've noticed - no one seems to make up paper cartridges for their powder charges. At the various Rendezvous I've attended over the past 50+ years I and maybe 1 or 2 other guys have been the only paper cartridge users.

[bdog]

Same style kit Mike has, and it has everything possible that I can fit in it, having the tray with the open space below the handle, I stand up my spray bottle of alcohol/windshield washer mix in the bottom of the box and the top of the bottle fits in that open space the handle creates in the tray, no more tipping over and leaking.....

[MikePal]

One thing I've noticed - no one seems to make up paper cartridges for their powder charges.

I haven't got into premeasuring the load for the .45 yet Pete as I'm still trying to find the sweet spot. In fact I only heard of the paper cartridges not long ago and I will give them a try it with this gun because I can't use a speed loader with the patch and ball.

For my .50 I use this nifty speed loader. I can pre-load 4 shots at a time. Just place it over the barrel and use the short rod and everything goes down in one movement. Great for on the range.

[impact]

Quite frankly, I bring the box on the left to the range with extra powder and bullets. I shoot BH209 and there is not much need to scrub between shots as there is very little residue. I'm not much of a perfectionist and if I get a descent group on the first few shots I'm good to go. The small pouch on the right is for my hunting trips.

[MikePal]

Where I’m heading is to hear input from others what they feel is basic required equipment to have along when shooting their muzzle loader?

The small pouch on the right is for my hunting trips.

From the standpoint of what I take out hunting, the possibility bag has proven to be handiest thing. Like Impacts, your basic stuff and a few fast loaders and your good to go in the blind. I've had to re-load twice during the hunt and it's nice to know that you don't need much..It was only more difficult because the heart is racing and your hands aren't to steady I also added a good palm saver after the first time

[ET1]

Impact

Yes there is a big difference of what we carry in the field and here like you I like to keep it light.
I have a hunting vest with shot-shell holders where I keep 4-tubes of powder and 2-tubes that hold 2-bullet sabot loads each. Primers are kept in a holder that is supported around my neck by a lanyard. In one of my vest pockets I carry my ramrod guide and T handle.
That’s it for reloading.
Now my accompanying utility belt for hunting paraphernalia would make Batman envious.

Hunting Vest.JPG

Ed

[impact]

I also added a good palm saver after the first time

Ahhh.... the must have palm saver...lol

[huntaway]

My range box is one of those Walmart type plastic tool boxes. about 24lx10wx14h give or take a few inches. I carry my powder, bullet/ball, primers, caps or flints as the case may be. Various hand tools to adjust sights or fix issues that might arise. I like using 2x2 medical gauze for cleaning patches so I have a pkg of them in there. A bottle of Windex/Alcohol mix for swabbing. A few pipe cleaners and a paperclip. Small powder flasks marked with whatever powder I may be using that day x2. Powder measure. Targets, and a roll of duct tape. A pencil, sharpie and a pen. A worm, patch puller, palm saver and alluminum range rod. A range finder, reading glasses and distance glasses and a pair of bino's. Hearing protection. I have muffs but prefer plugs. An evil jack knife. 2 different short starters .54 and .50. Yes I could just use a .50 for both but I find it cuts the .54 ball's.
And finally, I have an EZ CO2 Unloader for when my mind goes for a walk and I forget to powder my ball's.

My hunting bag consists of a powder flask, my horn measure/short starter. a few patches and ball (3 ea), and a few primers or prime powder flask.

HA