Method of Loading a Sound Suppressed Muzzle Loading Firearm

Abstract

A muzzle loading firearm has a sound suppressor mounted on the barrel. Attachment of the suppressor to the barrel may be permanent, as by welding, brazing and adhesive bonding. A guide tube inserted into the suppressor is used to provide a continuous path from the open end of the suppressor to the muzzle end of the barrel to permit loading of propellant charge and projectile from the muzzle end. The guide tube isolates the chambers of the suppressor and prevents grains of the propellant charge from being lost in the suppressor as they are poured into the barrel. The tube also protects the internal components of the suppressor from damage during loading with a ramrod.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of loading a muzzle loading firearm having a sound suppressor attached to a muzzle end of a barrel, said method comprising:
 positioning a guide tube within said sound suppressor, said guide tube extending from an open end of said sound suppressor to said muzzle end of said barrel;   pouring a propellant charge through said guide tube into said barrel; and   transferring a projectile through said guide tube into said barrel.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising removing said guide tube from said sound suppressor. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein transferring said projectile comprises ramming said projectile through said guide tube and into said barrel. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising transferring a wad through said guide tube and into said barrel. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 4 , wherein transferring said wad comprises ramming said wad through said guide tube and into said barrel. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein positioning said guide tube within said sound suppressor comprises fitting a portion of said guide tube within said muzzle end of said barrel. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising positioning said guide tube within said sound suppressor so that a portion of said guide tube extends outwardly from said sound suppressor. 
     
     
         8 . A kit for loading a muzzle loading firearm having a barrel with a sound suppressor attached to a muzzle end thereof, said kit including a guide tube removably positionable within said sound suppressor and extending between an open end thereof to said muzzle end of said barrel. 
     
     
         9 . The kit according to  claim 8 , wherein said guide tube has a length sized to extend from said muzzle end of said barrel and project outwardly from said open end of said sound suppressor. 
     
     
         10 . The kit according to  claim 8 , wherein at least a portion of said guide tube has an outer diameter sized to fit within a bore of said barrel. 
     
     
         11 . The kit according to  claim 8 , wherein a funnel is positioned on an end of said guide tube.