Muzzleloader systems including a pre-packaged propellant charge with a primer and receptacle. The muzzleloader system may include a propellant containment vessel separate from the primer and the projectile and that doesn't contact with the projectile until assembly. The muzzleloader may be rear loading, with a constriction portion forward of the breech chamber. The propellant containment vessel may include a body portion having a forward opening, with a propellant charge disposed therein and a cap portion that is crimp rolled within the mouth of the vessel to seal the forward opening. The closed end of the propellant containment vessel may define a primer receptacle configured to receive the primer. The receptacle may define a depth that is less than the primer height so that, when inserted into the receptacle, the primer extends rearwardly beyond the containment vessel. The muzzleloader system may be configured to fire only specifically configured propellant containment vessels.

Muzzleloader systems including a pre-packaged propellant charge with a primer and receptacle. The muzzleloader system may include a propellant containment vessel separate from the primer and the projectile and that doesn't contact with the projectile until assembly. The muzzleloader may be rear loading, with a constriction portion forward of the breech chamber. The propellant containment vessel may include a body portion having a forward opening, with a propellant charge disposed therein and a cap portion that is crimp rolled within the mouth of the vessel to seal the forward opening. The closed end of the propellant containment vessel may define a primer receptacle configured to receive the primer. The receptacle may define a depth that is less than the primer height so that, when inserted into the receptacle, the primer extends rearwardly beyond the containment vessel. The muzzleloader system may be configured to fire only specifically configured propellant containment vessels.

Muzzleloader systems include a pre-packaged propellant charge and primer for providing efficient loading and unloading of the muzzleloader. The muzzleloader accepts in the breech end the propellant containment vessel that abuts against a constriction portion with a reduced diameter portion. The propellant containment vessel having an end portion with a tapered surface that conforms to the constriction portion surface. A projectile is inserted in the muzzle end and seats against the constriction portion. The propellant containment vessel may be received in a removable breech plug. The constriction portion may be part of the breech plug or a separate component secured in the barrel by way of the breech plug. The containment vessel further comprises a primer mechanism that may be integrated into the proximal end of the containment vessel.

A separate-loading firearm, which may be configured as a muzzle-loading pepperbox pistol, uses a battery-powered electric resistance heating element to ignite a propellant. A relatively long current pulse, which may be of controllable duration, is used to ignite the propellant and a much shorter pulse may be used to test the integrity of the heater. Detection of the firearm's recoil may be used to terminate the relatively long firing pulse, which can increase the service life of the heating element and reduce the current drain from the battery.

Muzzleloader systems include a pre-packaged propellant charge and primer for providing efficient loading and unloading of the muzzleloader. The muzzleloader accepts in the breech end the propellant containment vessel that abuts against a constriction portion with a reduced diameter portion. The propellant containment vessel having an end portion with a tapered surface that conforms to the constriction portion surface. A projectile is inserted in the muzzle end and seats against the constriction portion. The propellant containment vessel may be received in a removable breech plug. The constriction portion may be part of the breech plug or a separate component secured in the barrel by way of the breech plug. The containment vessel further comprises a primer mechanism that may be integrated into the proximal end of the containment vessel.

A method and device for ascertaining the temperature of a propellant charge (22) and a method and device for joining together propellant charge modules (2) to form a propellant charge (22). The method and device for ascertaining the temperature of a propellant charge (22) includes at least temporarily arranging a sensor head (4) which is movable with respect to the propellant charge (22) in a cavity (7) of the propellant charge (22); and ascertaining the temperature of the propellant charge (22) at least while the sensor head (4) is arranged in the cavity (7) of the propellant charge (22). The propellant charge modules (2) are positioned between stops (9) and are joined together by movement of at least one of the stops toward the other.

Muzzleloader systems include a pre-packaged propellant charge and primer for providing efficient loading and unloading of the muzzleloader. The muzzleloader accepts in the breech end the propellant containment vessel that abuts against a constriction portion with a reduced diameter portion. The propellant containment vessel having an end portion with a tapered surface that conforms to the constriction portion surface. A projectile is inserted in the muzzle end and seats against the constriction portion. The propellant containment vessel may be received in a removable breech plug. The constriction portion may be part of the breech plug or a separate component secured in the barrel by way of the breech plug. The containment vessel further comprises a primer mechanism that may be integrated into the proximal end of the containment vessel.

A method and device for ascertaining the temperature of a propellant charge (22) and a method and device for joining together propellant charge modules (2) to form a propellant charge (22). The method and device for ascertaining the temperature of a propellant charge (22) includes at least temporarily arranging a sensor head (4) which is movable with respect to the propellant charge (22) in a cavity (7) of the propellant charge (22); and ascertaining the temperature of the propellant charge (22) at least while the sensor head (4) is arranged in the cavity (7) of the propellant charge (22). The propellant charge modules (2) are positioned between stops (9) and are joined together by movement of at least one of the stops toward the other.

Provided are a combined loading device and method. The combined loading device includes a first housing in which a shell is inserted; a second housing in which a charge is inserted, the second housing being connected to the first housing; a first support located in the first housing and configured to allow the shell or the charge to be seated thereon and linearly moved; and a driving unit located inside the first housing, connected to the first support, and configured to move the first support on which the shell is seated.

A large format launcher that is a modified rifle wherein the lower receiver is combined with an upper receiver into a unified receiver and modified to fit large-format flares. It is a single-shot, non-automatic reloading device, slam fire flare launcher device. The gas tube from an unmodified rifle is removed from the upper receiver disabling the bolt carrier group from automatic operation. The gas port is plugged and welded closed which prevents an operational gas tube from being installed on the launcher. The outer tube is pinned with a non-removable hardened pin. A single blank cartridge is fed into the launcher via a ten-round modified magazine. Manual cocking of the charging handle is required between firings. The ported gas barrel/plug, manufactured specifically for this launcher, employs an external hardened end with offset hole with welded plug enabling acceptance of a blank round only. The plug prevents any projectile from passing through the ported gas barrel and prevents the firing of live ammunition. With only gas from the blank passing through the barrels, the flare is launched and propelled approximately 300 feet and lights the flare with appropriate delay to function.