Gas check with system for improved loading and retention in bore of muzzleloading firearms

Abstract

A muzzle loading bullet gas check has external recess and ridge system, and/or an internal locking ridge system. The preferred gas check has an opening or recess on its front end for receiving and frictionally engaging a rearwardly extending post of the bullet, the opening also preferably including an internal radial ridge for gripping the post and/or locking with an indent on the post. The barrel-interacting part of the gas check has one or more external recesses and adjacent radial ridges/edges protruding relative to the recesses, which serves to reduce the total surface area of the gas check contacting the bore. The recesses do not touch the bore of the firearm, resulting in less friction and easier loading, while the outer ends/surfaces of the ridges/edges do touch the bore to retain the bullet in the bore during handling and hunting and to effectively capture gasses after the firing explosion.

1 - 18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . A gas check and muzzle loading bullet combination, comprising:
 a bullet having a back coupled to a gas check having a rearwardly extending skirt including an external side wall surface adapted to contact a bore of a muzzle loading firearm and an interior side wall surface; and   an area formed in the interior side wall surface weakening the skirt.   
     
     
         20 . A gas check and muzzle loading bullet combination according to  claim 19 , wherein the area comprises an axial groove formed in the interior side wall surface. 
     
     
         21 . A gas check and muzzle loading bullet combination according to  claim 19 , wherein the area comprises axial grooves formed in the interior side wall surface. 
     
     
         22 . A gas check and muzzle loading bullet combination according to  claim 19 , further comprising:
 a bullet post formed in the back of the bullet; and   an aperture formed in the gas check receiving the bullet post coupling the bullet to the gas check.   
     
     
         23 . A gas check and muzzle loading bullet combination according to  claim 19 , further comprising the external side wall surface has a ridge and an adjacent recess to contact and to not contact, respectively, a bore of a muzzle loading firearm. 
     
     
         24 . A gas check for connection to a muzzle loading bullet, comprising:
 a front wall adapted to connect a bullet and an attached rearwardly extending skirt including an external side wall surface adapted to contact a bore of a muzzle loading firearm and an interior side wall surface; and   an area formed in the interior side wall surface weakening the skirt.   
     
     
         25 . A gas check according to  claim 24 , wherein the area comprises an axial groove formed in the interior side wall surface. 
     
     
         26 . A gas check according to  claim 24 , wherein the area comprises axial grooves formed in the interior side wall surface. 
     
     
         27 . A gas check according to  claim 24 , further comprising an aperture formed in the front wall to receive and connect a bullet. 
     
     
         28 . A gas check according to  claim 24 , further comprising the external side wall surface has a ridge and an adjacent recess to contact and to not contact, respectively, a bore of a muzzle loading firearm.