Opinions about the necessary contents of a muzzleloader’s possibles bag are about as divisive as politics.
Everyone is an expert whose word should be taken as gospel (at least according to each of them).
Now, we can all agree that you need spare flints, caps, balls, patches, loading jags, and a muzzleloader ramrod.
But beyond that, it’s open season on what should be in a possibles bag.
Well, here are 3 muzzleloader accessories that, though they do not appear in every muzzleloader’s repertoire, definitely should.
A Muzzleloader Speed Loader
A muzzleloader speed loader is basically a small plastic capsule that holds a pre-measured charge (or a pellet) and a patched ball or saboted bullet in ordered sequence.
A muzzleloader speed loader makes it much easier for you to reload your muzzleloader after you’ve just discharged a shot.
Now, speed loaders might get a bit of hate because they are non-traditional, which is true. There was no plastic about in the days of yore.
But, at the same time, if you are hunting with a muzzleloader, you need every ethical advantage the modern world can afford you, and a muzzleloader speed loader will make it easier for you to get a second shot off quickly - which can be necessary for clean, humane dispatches.
So, either get a muzzleloader speed loader or, if you insist on following the traditional route, at least a loading block.
A Palm Saver (Or Something Equivalent)
Some muzzleloader ramrods have T-shaped handles that are ergonomic, others have a ball-style end that makes it easier to exert greater downward pressure when loading.
This is not just a matter of ergonomics. It is a matter of ballistic performance. The pressure under which the ball or bullet is seated over the powder charge is directly related to barrel (“chamber”) pressure and muzzle velocity.
Moreover, a loosely seated load, or one with even a very small gap between the projectile and charge, puts the barrel at serious risk of bulging or even catastrophic failure when you pull the trigger.
So, making sure that the projectile is firmly seated over the charge is a matter of necessity.
However, this is very difficult to accomplish with a traditional muzzleloader ramrod that does not have a ball or handle at the opposite of the business end.
So, get yourself a palm saver or make one from a piece of wood. It will be much easier for you to seat your loads.
A Silent-Ball Discharger (or at Least a Ball-Puller and Patch Worm)
This is another that’s going to get a lot of hate because it isn’t a traditional muzzleloader accessory, but a silent ball discharger can save a hunt if you just can’t get the gun to fire.
A silent ball discharger contains a CO2 cartridge and has a nozzle that fits over the vent or cone of a muzzleloader, using compressed gas to expel the ball or bullet.
These are great because they are fairly silent and very effective at unloading muzzleloaders, also they’re safer than conventional methods of pulling.
All the same, they are nontraditional, but if you don’t have one, make sure you have at least a ball puller or a patch worm so you have at least one failsafe to unload the gun if you can’t fire out the projectile (or make a mistake while loading).
Just make sure you always thoroughly soak the powder charge before attempting to pull a ball or bullet.
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