Breech plug for muzzleloading rifle

Abstract

A breech plug having a cylindrical body with a nipple on one end for receipt of a percussion element, and a stem on the other end with a length of constant uniform diameter, and a flash bore that extends longitudinally through the nipple, cylindrical body, and the stem.

1 . A breech plug for use in a muzzleloading firearm with a barrel having a breech end, comprising:
 a generally cylindrical body with a first end and a second end to be received within the breech end of the barrel;   a nipple extending outwardly from the first end of the body;   a non threaded stem of generally uniform diameter extending outwardly from the second end of the body and into the breech end of the barrel to form a cavity between the diameter of the stem and the barrel; and   a bore extending longitudinally through the body from the nipple and through the stem.   
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the second end of the body has a shoulder perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the body. 
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the bore has a generally uniform diameter in the nipple and the body and terminating in a reduced diameter portion in the stem. 
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the bore has a first portion of constant diameter, a second portion of smaller diameter at an end of the stem, and a tapered transition portion connecting the first and second portions. 
   
   
       5 . A muzzleloading firearm with an elongated hollow barrel having a breech at one end, comprising:
 a breech plug in the breech comprised of a generally cylindrical body with forward and rearward ends;   a nipple extending outwardly from the rearward end of the body;   a stem of generally uniform diameter extending forwardly from the forward end of the body, and having an outer diameter less than an inner diameter of the barrel to form a cavity between the diameter of the stem and the barrel;   a bore extending longitudinally through the body from the nipple and through the stem; and   wherein another member is not located between the diameter of the stem and the barrel in the cavity.   
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 5  wherein the second end of the body has a shoulder perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the body. 
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 5  wherein the bore has a generally uniform diameter in the nipple and the body and terminating in a reduced diameter portion at a forward end of the stem. 
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 5  wherein the bore has a first portion of constant diameter, a second portion of smaller diameter at an end of the stem, and a tapered transition portion connecting the first and second portions. 
   
   
       9 . A breech plug for use in a muzzleloading firearm with a barrel having a breech end, comprising:
 a generally cylindrical body with a first end and a second end to be received within the breech end of the barrel;   a nipple extending outwardly from the first end of the body;   a non threaded stem of uniform diameter extending outwardly from the second end of the body and into the breech end of the barrel to form a cavity between the diameter of the stem and the barrel;   a bore extending longitudinally through the body from the nipple and through the stem;   said bore extending through the stem to form a single opening centrally located at the second end of the body; and   wherein another member is not located between the diameter of the stem and the barrel in the cavity.   
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 9  wherein the second end of the body has a shoulder perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the body. 
   
   
       11 . The device of  claim 9  wherein the bore has a generally uniform diameter in the nipple and the body and terminating in a reduced diameter portion in the stem. 
   
   
       12 . The device of  claim 9  wherein the bore has a first portion of constant diameter, a second portion of smaller diameter at an end of the stem, and a tapered transition portion connecting the first and second portions. 
   
   
       13 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the breech plug is made of a single piece. 
   
   
       14 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the generally cylindrical body has external threads. 
   
   
       15 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the nipple extends past all other portions of the breech plug. 
   
   
       16 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the nipple extends past the breech end of the barrel. 
   
   
       17 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the cavity is formed to receive a substantial portion of propellant powder.