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MAGNETIC BREECHFACE ASSEMBLY FOR MUZZLELOADING FIREARM

20250297829 ยท 2025-09-25

    Inventors

    Cpc classification

    International classification

    Abstract

    Described are embodiments of a magnetic primer positioning, seating and sealing device and breechface assembly for a muzzleloading firearm. In one example, a primer positioning, seating and sealing device for a muzzleloading firearm includes an outer sleeve, an inner sleeve concentrically positioned within the outer sleeve, and at least one magnet positioned in the inner sleeve. For instance, the at least one magnet can be embodied as a plurality of magnets positioned in a circumferentially spaced array around the inner sleeve. In another example, a primer positioning, seating and sealing device for a muzzleloading firearm includes an outer sleeve, an inner sleeve concentrically positioned within the outer sleeve, and a magnet concentrically positioned within the outer sleeve and adjacent the inner sleeve. For instance, the magnet can be embodied as an annular-shaped magnet concentrically positioned within the outer sleeve and adjacent the inner sleeve.

    Claims

    1. A primer positioning, seating and sealing device for a muzzleloading firearm, the primer positioning, seating and sealing device comprising: an outer sleeve; an inner sleeve concentrically positioned within the outer sleeve; and at least one magnet positioned in the inner sleeve.

    2. The primer positioning, seating and sealing device of claim 1, wherein the at least one magnet comprises a plurality of magnets positioned in a circumferentially spaced array around the inner sleeve.

    3. The primer positioning, seating and sealing device of claim 1, wherein: the inner sleeve comprises a stepped inner sleeve having a first bore segment and a second bore segment; the first bore segment comprises a first opening at a first end of the inner sleeve and the second bore segment comprises a second opening at a second end of the inner sleeve; and the first bore segment is configured to receive a bolt of the muzzleloading firearm by way of the first opening and the second bore segment is configured to receive a primer for the muzzleloading firearm by way of the second opening.

    4. The primer positioning, seating and sealing device of claim 1, wherein: the inner sleeve comprises a stepped inner sleeve having a first bore segment that is configured to receive a bolt of the muzzleloading firearm and a second bore segment that is adjacent the first bore segment and configured to receive a primer for the muzzleloading firearm; and the at least one magnet is positioned in at least one of the first bore segment or the second bore segment.

    5. The primer positioning, seating and sealing device of claim 1, wherein: the inner sleeve comprises a stepped inner sleeve having a first bore segment that is configured to receive a bolt of the muzzleloading firearm and a second bore segment that is adjacent the first bore segment and configured to receive a primer for the muzzleloading firearm; and the at least one magnet comprises a plurality of magnets positioned in a circumferentially spaced array around the first bore segment.

    6. The primer positioning, seating and sealing device of claim 1, wherein: the inner sleeve comprises a stepped inner sleeve having a first bore segment that is configured to receive a bolt of the muzzleloading firearm and a second bore segment that is adjacent the first bore segment and configured to receive a primer for the muzzleloading firearm; and the at least one magnet comprises a plurality of magnets positioned in a circumferentially spaced array around the second bore segment.

    7. The primer positioning, seating and sealing device of claim 1, wherein the at least one magnet comprises a neodymium magnet.

    8. The primer positioning, seating and sealing device of claim 1, wherein the at least one magnet comprises a grade N52 neodymium magnet.

    9. The primer positioning, seating and sealing device of claim 1, wherein the at least one magnet comprises a plurality of magnets having axially aligned polarity.

    10. The primer positioning, seating and sealing device of claim 1, wherein the at least one magnet comprises a plurality of magnets having diametrically aligned polarity.

    11. The primer positioning, seating and sealing device of claim 1, further comprising an actuating spring concentrically positioned within the outer sleeve and adjacent the inner sleeve.

    12. The primer positioning, seating and sealing device of claim 1, further comprising an actuating spring concentrically positioned within the outer sleeve and coupled to an end of the inner sleeve.

    13. A muzzleloading firearm comprising the primer positioning, seating and sealing device of claim 1.

    14. A magnetic breechface assembly for a muzzleloading firearm comprising: an outer sleeve; an inner sleeve concentrically positioned within the outer sleeve; and a magnet concentrically positioned within the outer sleeve and adjacent the inner sleeve.

    15. The magnetic breechface assembly of claim 14, wherein the magnet comprises an annular-shaped magnet concentrically positioned within the outer sleeve and adjacent the inner sleeve.

    16. The magnetic breechface assembly of claim 14, wherein: the inner sleeve comprises a stepped inner sleeve having a first bore segment and a second bore segment; the first bore segment comprises a first opening at a first end of the inner sleeve and the second bore segment comprises a second opening at a second end of the inner sleeve; the first bore segment is configured to receive a bolt of the muzzleloading firearm by way of the first opening and the second bore segment is configured to receive a primer for the muzzleloading firearm by way of the second opening; and the magnet is concentrically positioned within the outer sleeve and adjacent the first bore segment at the first end of the inner sleeve.

    17. The magnetic breechface assembly of claim 14, wherein the magnet comprises at least one of a neodymium magnet or a grade N52 neodymium magnet.

    18. The magnetic breechface assembly of claim 14, wherein the magnet has an axially aligned polarity or a diametrically aligned polarity.

    19. The magnetic breechface assembly of claim 14, further comprising an actuating spring concentrically positioned within the outer sleeve and adjacent the inner sleeve.

    20. A muzzleloading firearm comprising the magnetic breechface assembly of claim 14.

    21. A muzzleloading firearm comprising: a bolt having a bolt body and a bolt nose extending coaxially from the bolt body; and a magnetic breechface assembly operatively coupled with the bolt and comprising an outer sleeve, an inner sleeve concentrically positioned within the outer sleeve, and at least one magnet.

    22. The muzzleloading firearm of claim 21, wherein the at least one magnet comprises a plurality of magnets positioned in a circumferentially spaced array around the inner sleeve.

    23. The muzzleloading firearm of claim 21, wherein the at least one magnet comprises an annular-shaped magnet concentrically positioned within the outer sleeve and adjacent the inner sleeve.

    24. A method of retrofitting a muzzleloading firearm, the method comprising installing a magnetic breechface assembly in combination with a bolt of the muzzleloading firearm, the magnetic breechface assembly comprising at least one magnet for cooperatively positioning an ignition source relative to a breechplug of the muzzleloading firearm.

    Description

    BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

    [0012] Many aspects of the present disclosure can be better understood with reference to the following figures. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, with emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the concepts of the disclosure. Moreover, repeated use of reference characters or numerals in the figures is intended to represent the same or analogous features, elements, or operations across different figures. Repeated description of such repeated reference characters or numerals is omitted for brevity.

    [0013] FIG. 1A illustrates a cross-sectional side view of an example muzzleloading firearm with an example breechface assembly positioned inside according to various aspects and embodiments of the present disclosure.

    [0014] FIG. 1B illustrates a cross-sectional side view of the example breechface assembly shown in FIG. 1A according to various aspects and embodiments of the present disclosure.

    [0015] FIG. 1C illustrates another cross-sectional side view of the example breechface assembly shown in FIG. 1A with certain components removed from view according to various aspects and embodiments of the present disclosure.

    [0016] FIG. 1D illustrates an exploded perspective view of an example inner sleeve and example magnets of the example breechface assembly shown in FIG. 1A according to various aspects and embodiments of the present disclosure.

    [0017] FIG. 1E illustrates an exploded perspective view of the example breechface assembly shown in FIG. 1A according to various aspects and embodiments of the present disclosure.

    [0018] FIG. 2A illustrates a cross-sectional side view of the example muzzleloading firearm shown in FIG. 1A with another example breechface assembly positioned inside according to various aspects and embodiments of the present disclosure.

    [0019] FIG. 2B illustrates a cross-sectional side view of the example breechface assembly shown in FIG. 2A according to various aspects and embodiments of the present disclosure.

    [0020] FIG. 2C illustrates another cross-sectional side view of the example breechface assembly shown in FIG. 2A with certain components removed from view according to various aspects and embodiments of the present disclosure.

    [0021] FIG. 2D illustrates a perspective view of an example inner sleeve and an example magnet of the example breechface assembly shown in FIG. 2A according to various aspects and embodiments of the present disclosure.

    [0022] FIG. 2E illustrates an exploded perspective view of the example breechface assembly shown in FIG. 2A according to various aspects and embodiments of the present disclosure.

    DETAILED DESCRIPTION

    [0023] Muzzleloading firearms commonly utilize a primer to ignite a powder charge to fire a bullet or projectile from a barrel of the firearm. It is sometimes difficult for a user to align the primer with its corresponding hole in a breechplug of the firearm. There have been numerous attempts to make the primer-breechplug relationship easier to deal with, including use of a magnetic tool or a tool with a spring clip to assist with the loading and unloading of the primer in the breechplug. However, carrying additional items may be inconvenient for a hunter in the field, and other attempted solutions have been expensive, complicated, and required modifications to the firearm rather than a simple substitution of a part.

    [0024] The embodiments described herein provide a solution to the aforementioned problems associated with certain muzzleloading firearms in the form of a magnetic primer positioning, seating and sealing device and breechface assembly that can magnetically assist in engaging, loading, and unloading a primer or another ignition source to and from a breechplug in a muzzleloading firearm. The primer positioning, seating and sealing device and breechface assembly can include one or more magnets such as a series of magnets positioned in and about the primer positioning, seating and sealing device in one example or an annular-shaped magnet positioned within the primer positioning, seating and sealing device in another example. The magnet or magnets are operable in many cases to assist in engaging, loading, and unloading a primer to and from a breechplug of a muzzleloading firearm.

    [0025] For context, FIGS. 1A to 1E illustrate various views of an example muzzleloading firearm (or firearm 100) with an example breechface assembly 105 positioned inside according to various aspects and embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 1A illustrates a cross-sectional side view of the firearm 100 with the breechface assembly 105 positioned inside according to various aspects and embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 1B illustrates a cross-sectional side view of the breechface assembly 105 according to various aspects and embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 1C illustrates another cross-sectional side view of the breechface assembly 105 with certain components removed from view according to various aspects and embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 1D illustrates an exploded perspective view of an example inner sleeve 140 and example magnets 150a, 150b, 150c, 150d, 150e of the breechface assembly 105 according to various aspects and embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 1E illustrates an exploded perspective view of the breechface assembly 105 according to various aspects and embodiments of the present disclosure.

    [0026] Referring to FIGS. 1A to 1E, among other components the muzzleloading firearm 100 in this example includes a breechface assembly 105, a moving bolt 110 (or bolt 110), a primer positioning, seating and sealing device 120, a breechplug 170, a barrel 180, and an igniter or primer 190 (or primer 190). The bolt 110 is releasably or detachably coupled to the primer positioning, seating and sealing device 120, and the breechplug 170 is positioned in and removably coupled to the barrel 180. The primer 190 is positioned in a sealed manner between and detachably coupled to the primer positioning, seating and sealing device 120 and the breechplug 170. The primer 190 is included in this example for illustration only and it may be omitted in other examples without deviating from the intended scope of the present disclosure. The primer 190 can be embodied as a. 209 primer, large rifle primer, small rifle primer, or another ignition source in various examples. The breechface assembly 105 includes the moving bolt 110 and the primer positioning, seating and sealing device 120 among other components in various examples herein. In some cases, the breechface assembly 105 can further include at least one of the breechplug 170 or the primer 190 among other components. The breechface assembly 105 can be embodied and implemented in many examples as a magnetic breechface assembly having a magnetic primer positioning, seating and sealing device 120 as described herein.

    [0027] The bolt 110 includes a bolt body 111, locking lugs 112a, 112b, a bolt nose 113, and a firing pin 115. The bolt nose 113 is embodied as a stepped bolt nose having a first bore segment 113a at its end and a second bore segment 113b extending between the bolt body 111 and the bore segment 113a. The bolt nose 113 further includes an outer shoulder 113c that is defined by the bore segments 113a, 113b as shown in this example. For instance, the bore segment 113a extends from an end of the bolt nose 113 to the outer shoulder 113c, and the bore segment 113b extends from the bolt body 111 to the outer shoulder 113c. The outer shoulder 113c is operable to at least partly interact with, guide, support, and concentrically or coaxially align one or more components of the primer positioning, seating and scaling device 120 during operation of the firearm 100 as shown in this example and described herein. The firing pin 115 is concentrically or coaxially and movably positioned within the bolt body 111 and the bolt nose 113 of the bolt 110. The firing pin 115 is operable to concentrically or coaxially move through and beyond the bolt nose 113 of the bolt 110. For instance, the firing pin 115 is concentrically or coaxially positioned within the bolt body 111 relative to a centerline of the bolt 110 and it is concentrically or coaxially movable beyond bore segment 113a of the bolt nose 113 along the centerline of the bolt 110. The firing pin 115 is operable to move beyond the bore segment 113a of the bolt nose 113 to contact or strike the primer 190 during operation of the firearm 100.

    [0028] The primer positioning, seating and sealing device 120 includes an outer sleeve 130 and an inner sleeve 140 concentrically or coaxially positioned within the outer sleeve 130. For instance, the inner sleeve 140 is concentrically or coaxially positioned within the outer sleeve 130 relative to the centerline of the bolt 110. The firearm 100 further includes an actuating spring 160 concentrically or coaxially positioned within the outer sleeve 130 and around the bore segment 113b of the bolt nose 113 as shown in this example. The actuating spring 160 can be included in the primer positioning, seating and sealing device 120 as an integral or integrated component in many examples. For instance, the inner sleeve 140 and the actuating spring 160 can be embodied such that one end of the actuating spring 160 is formed or integrated into an end of the inner sleeve 140. In other examples, the actuating spring 160 may be embodied as a modular or separate component that can be included in the firearm 100 and interact with the inner sleeve 140 during operation of the firearm 100 as described herein. For instance, the actuating spring 160 can be concentrically or coaxially positioned around the bore segment 113b relative to the centerline of the bolt 110 and between the bolt body 111 and the inner sleeve 140. In some cases, one end of the actuating spring 160 can be rigidly coupled to the bolt body 111 (e.g., formed or integrated into the bolt body 111) and an opposite end of the actuating spring 160 can be an uncoupled or free end that is configured and operable to interact with or contact the inner sleeve 140. In other cases, opposite ends of the actuating spring 160 can be uncoupled or free ends that are configured and operable to interact with or contact the bolt body 111 and the inner sleeve 140, respectively. When compressed during operation of the firearm 100, the actuating spring 160 is operable to apply equal and opposite forces against the bolt body 111 and the inner sleeve 140.

    [0029] The outer sleeve 130 is embodied as a stepped outer sleeve having a first end 131, a second end 133 opposite the first end 131, a first bore segment 132 at the first end 131, and a second bore segment 134 at the second end 133. The first end 131 and the bore segment 132 are embodied and operable to be positioned adjacent the breechplug 170 during operation of the firearm 100. The second end 133 and the bore segment 134 are embodied and operable to be removably coupled to the bolt 110 by way of the locking lugs 112a, 112b during operation of the firearm 100.

    [0030] The bore segment 132 has a first annular cross-sectional shape that defines a first central opening or bore 135 through a portion of the outer sleeve 130. The bore segment 134 has a second annular cross-sectional shape that defines a second central opening or bore 137 through another portion of the outer sleeve 130. The bores 135, 137 are concentrically or coaxially defined relative to the centerline of the bolt 110 and together the bores 135, 137 define an inner shoulder 136 within the outer sleeve 130 as shown in this example. For instance, the bore 135 extends from the first end 131 of the outer sleeve 130 to the inner shoulder 136, and the bore 137 extends from the second end 133 of the outer sleeve 130 to the inner shoulder 136. The inner shoulder 136 is embodied and operable to at least partly interact with and support a corresponding outer shoulder on the inner sleeve 140 as described further herein. The outer sleeve 130 further includes an outer shoulder 138 that is defined by the bore segments 132, 134 as shown in this example. For instance, the bore segment 132 extends from the first end 131 of the outer sleeve 130 to the outer shoulder 138, and the bore segment 134 extends from the second end 133 of the outer sleeve 130 to the outer shoulder 138. The outer shoulder 138 is embodied and operable to at least partly interact with and be supported by the locking lugs 112a, 112b of the bolt 110 during operation of the firearm 100.

    [0031] The inner sleeve 140 is embodied as a stepped inner sleeve having a first end 141, a second end 143 opposite the first end 141, a first bore segment 142 at the first end 141, and a second bore segment 144 at the second end 143. The first end 141 and the bore segment 142 are embodied and operable to be positioned adjacent the breechplug 170 during operation of the firearm 100. The first end 141 and the bore segment 142 are further embodied and operable during such operation to at least partly interact with, guide, support, and concentrically or coaxially align the primer 190 relative to the centerline of the bolt 110 as shown in this example and described further herein. The second end 143 and the bore segment 144 can include or at least be operable to interact with one end of the actuating spring 160 during operation of the firearm 100. The second end 143 and the bore segment 144 are further embodied and operable during such operation to at least partly interact with, be guided by, supported by, and concentrically or coaxially aligned by the bore segment 113b of the bolt nose 113 relative to the centerline of the bolt 110 as shown in this example and described further herein. The bore segment 142 is also embodied and operable during operation of the firearm 100 to at least partly interact with, be guided by, supported by, and concentrically or coaxially aligned by the bore segment 113a of the bolt nose 113 relative to the centerline of the bolt 110 as shown in this example and described further herein.

    [0032] The bore segment 142 has a first annular cross-sectional shape that defines a first central opening or bore 145 at the first end 141 of the inner sleeve 140. The bore 145 extends from the first end 141 of the inner sleeve 140 into an inner portion of the bore segment 142. The bore segment 144 has a second annular cross-sectional shape that defines a second central opening or bore 147 at the second end 143 of the inner sleeve 140. The bore 147 extends from the second end 143 of the inner sleeve 140 into an inner portion of the bore segment 142. Each of the bore segments 142, 144 also has another annular cross-sectional shape that partly defines a third central opening or bore 149 extending through the inner sleeve 140 between the bores 145, 147. For instance, the bore 149 is defined by and extends through a portion of each of the bore segments 142, 144 from the bore 145 to the bore 147.

    [0033] The bores 145, 147, 149 are concentrically or coaxially defined relative to the centerline of the bolt 110. Together, the bores 145, 149 define an inner shoulder 146a within the bore segment 142 of the inner sleeve 140 as shown in this example. For instance, the bore 145 extends from the first end 141 of the inner sleeve 140 to the inner shoulder 146a, and the bore 149 extends from the bore 147 in the bore segment 144 to the inner shoulder 146a. The inner shoulder 146a is embodied and operable to at least partly interact with, guide, support, and concentrically or coaxially align a first bore segment 192 of the primer 190 relative to the centerline of the bolt 110 during operation of the firearm 100 as shown in this example. Together, the bores 147, 149 define an inner shoulder 146b within the bore segment 144 of the inner sleeve 140 as shown in this example. For instance, the bore 147 extends from the second end 143 of the inner sleeve 140 to the inner shoulder 146b, and the bore 149 extends from the bore 145 in the bore segment 142 to the inner shoulder 146b. The inner shoulder 146b is embodied and operable to at least partly interact with and support the outer shoulder 113c on the bolt nose 113. The inner sleeve 140 further includes an outer shoulder 148 that is defined by the bore segments 142, 144 as shown in this example. For instance, the bore segment 142 extends from the first end 141 of the inner sleeve 140 to the outer shoulder 148, and the bore segment 144 extends from the second end 143 of the inner sleeve 140 to the outer shoulder 148. The outer shoulder 148 is embodied and operable to at least partly interact with and be supported by the inner shoulder 136 of the outer sleeve 130 during operation of the firearm 100. For instance, the actuating spring 160 can bias (e.g., push) the outer shoulder 148 and the bore segment 144 of the inner sleeve 140 toward the inner shoulder 136 and the bore segment 132 of the outer sleeve 130, respectively.

    [0034] The primer positioning, seating and sealing device 120 can further include one or more magnets in various example configurations. For instance, the primer positioning, seating and sealing device 120 can include one or more magnets in the inner sleeve 140. The inner sleeve 140 in the example shown includes magnets 150a, 150b, 150c, 150d, 150e (or magnets 150) positioned in the inner sleeve 140. The primer positioning, seating and sealing device 120 in various examples includes the outer sleeve 130, the inner sleeve 140, and the magnets 150. In some cases, the primer positioning, seating and sealing device 120 can further include the actuating spring 160.

    [0035] In example embodiments, the magnets 150 are positioned in a circumferentially spaced array around the bore segment 142 of the inner sleeve 140 in the example shown. The magnets 150 can be positioned in another region of the inner sleeve 140 such as the bore segment 144 in other examples. For instance, the magnets 150 can be positioned in a circumferentially spaced array around the bore segment 144 in a same, similar, or different manner as compared to the circumferentially spaced array shown in this example. In another example, one or more first magnets 150 such as the magnets 150a, 150b, 150c, 150d, 150e can be positioned in the bore segment 142 (e.g., in a circumferentially spaced array around the bore segment 142) and one or more second, additional magnets 150 can be positioned in the bore segment 144 (e.g., in a circumferentially spaced array around the bore segment 144). In yet another example, an additional magnet 150 can be positioned within the bore 137 of the outer sleeve 130 between the inner sleeve 140 and the actuating spring 160. For instance, in addition to one or more magnets 150 being positioned in at least one of the bore segments 142, 144, an additional magnet 150 having an annular cross-sectional shape can be positioned in the bore 137 of the outer sleeve 130 between the inner sleeve 140 and the actuating spring 160 with the actuating spring 160 biasing (e.g., pushing) the additional magnet 150 toward the inner sleeve 140 during operation of the firearm 100. The magnets 150 can be positioned at a same or similar axial location around the inner sleeve 140 in some cases or they can be axially spaced from one another or axially staggered relative to one another around the inner sleeve 140 in other examples.

    [0036] The magnets 150 can be embodied with the inner sleeve 140 as a permanently fixed and integral component formed or otherwise integrated into the inner sleeve 140 during fabrication in some examples. In other cases, the magnets 150 can be embodied as modular or separate components that can be coupled to the inner sleeve 140 such as by attachment to the inner sleeve 140 or insertion into one or more openings, slots, channels, or other structures formed in the inner sleeve 140.

    [0037] The inner sleeve 140 in the example shown further includes a circumferentially spaced array of openings 142a, 142b, 142c, 142d, 142e formed through the bore segment 142. In place of or in addition to the openings 142a, 142b, 142c, 142d, 142e formed through the bore segment 142, one or more openings that are the same as, similar to, or different from the openings 142a, 142b, 142c, 142d, 142e can be formed through the bore segment 144 in some cases. The openings 142a, 142b, 142c, 142d, 142e are evenly spaced from one another around the bore segment 142 in this example. The spacing between one or more pairs of the openings 142a, 142b, 142c, 142d, 142c may be different relative to other pairs of the openings 142a, 142b, 142c, 142d, 142e in another example. The magnets 150a, 150b, 150c, 150d, 150e are positioned in the openings 142a, 142b, 142c, 142d, 142e, respectively, in the example shown.

    [0038] One or more of the magnets 150 can be embodied as or include a neodymium magnet in many cases. For instance, at least one of the magnets 150 can be embodied as or include a grade N52 neodymium magnet or another grade of neodymium magnet. The magnets 150 can have axially aligned polarity or diametrically aligned polarity. For instance, the polarity of one or more of the magnets 150 can be axially aligned. In another example, the polarity of one or more of the magnets 150 can be diametrically aligned. In still another example, one or more first magnets 150 can have axially aligned polarity and one or more second magnets 150 can have diametrically aligned polarity.

    [0039] The magnets 150 can each have the same dimensions, geometry, material, and properties (e.g., magnetic strength) in many cases. In other examples, one or more of the magnets 150 can have at least one of a dimension, geometry, material, or property that differs from that of another magnet 150. The magnets 150 in one example can each be embodied to have an outer diameter (OD) of approximately 0.5 inch (in), an inner diameter (ID) of approximately 0.25 in, and a thickness of approximately 0.125 in. In other examples, one or more magnets 150 can have at least one of an OD that is less than or greater than 0.5 in, an ID that is less than or greater than 0.25 in, or a thickness that is less than or greater than 0.125 in. In some cases, one or more of the magnets 150 can have a geometry that is different from the geometry of the magnets 150 shown in this example.

    [0040] The breechplug 170 has a first end 171, a second end 173 opposite the first end 171, and a bore segment 172 formed at the first end 171. The breechplug 170 is concentrically or coaxially positioned in and removably coupled to the barrel 180 relative to the centerline of the bolt 110. The bore segment 172 has an annular or a quasi-annular cross-sectional shape that defines a central opening or bore 175. The bore 175 is concentrically or coaxially defined relative to the centerline of the bolt 110 and it is embodied and operable to at least partly interact with, guide, and support a second bore segment 194 of the primer 190 during operation of the firearm 100.

    [0041] The breechplug 170 further includes an internal channel or bore 177 and an internal charge chamber or bore 179. One end of the bore 177 opens to the bore 175 and is adjacent to the primer 190 when the primer 190 is positioned within the firearm 100. The bore 177 extends concentrically or coaxially through the breechplug 170 relative to the centerline of the bolt 110 from the bore 175 to the charge chamber or bore 179 formed in the breechplug 170. The charge chamber or bore 179 extends concentrically or coaxially through the breechplug 170 relative to the centerline of the bolt 110 from the bore 177 to the second end 173 of the breechplug 170.

    [0042] The magnets 150 are embodied and operable to at least partly facilitate engaging, loading, and unloading of the primer 190 to and from the primer positioning, seating and sealing device 120 and the breechplug 170 during operation of the firearm 100. For instance, the magnets 150 can be embodied and operable to impart or apply a magnetic pull or magnetic attraction on the primer 190 directly or at least partly through the bolt nose 113. The magnetic pull imparted or applied by the magnets 150 can cause the primer 190 to concentrically or coaxially align with the inner sleeve 140 and the breechplug 170 relative to the centerline of the bolt 110 during operation of the firearm 100. For instance, the magnets 150 can cause the bore segment 192 of the primer 190 to concentrically or coaxially align with the bore 145 of the inner sleeve 140 and cause the bore segment 194 of the primer 190 to concentrically or coaxially align with the bore 175 of the breechplug 170. The magnetic pull imparted or applied by the magnets 150 can further cause the bore segment 192 of the primer 190 to be biased toward (e.g., pulled toward), seat against, contact, or otherwise interact with the inner shoulder 146a in a scalable manner inside the inner sleeve 140 during operation of the firearm 100. For instance, the magnets 150 can cause the bore segment 192 of the primer 190 to be positioned against and biased toward the inner shoulder 146a within the bore 145 of the inner sleeve 140 during operation of the firearm 100. The primer 190 can further include a magnetically-attracted adapter or carrier in some examples such as a stainless steel material (e.g., 416 stainless steel) or other magnetically-attracted material that can facilitate or enhance the magnetic bias of the magnets 150 on the primer 190. For instance, the bore segment 194 of the primer 190 can be embodied as or include a magnetically-attracted material. In another example, the primer 190 can include a magnetically-attracted material positioned at least partly around the bore segment 194.

    [0043] The magnetic strength of the magnets 150 can be sufficient to bias the bore segment 192 of the primer 190 toward the inner shoulder 146a while still allowing the primer 190 to be extracted from the firearm 100 without the use of a tool. For instance, the magnetic strength of the magnets 150 in many cases can be sufficient to bias the bore segment 192 of the primer 190 toward the inner shoulder 146a while still allowing a user to remove the primer 190 from the firearm 100 using only a finger.

    [0044] A bullet or other projectile can be positioned within the barrel 180 adjacent to the second end 173 of the breechplug 170 and in front of a defined amount of powder charge such as gunpowder that can be located in the charge chamber or bore 179 during operation of the firearm 100 in many examples. An ignition caused by the primer 190 occurs in the bore 175 of the breechplug 170 during such operation and travels along the bore 177 of the breechplug 170 until it reaches the gunpowder in the charge chamber or bore 179 of the breechplug 170. An explosion occurs when the ignition reaches the gunpowder in the charge chamber or bore 179, thrusting the bullet out the end of the barrel 180.

    [0045] FIGS. 2A to 2E illustrate various views of the firearm 100 with another example breechface assembly 205 positioned inside according to various aspects and embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 2A illustrates a cross-sectional side view of the firearm 100 with the breechface assembly 205 positioned inside according to various aspects and embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 2B illustrates a cross-sectional side view of the breechface assembly 205 according to various aspects and embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 2C illustrates another cross-sectional side view of the breechface assembly 205 with certain components removed from view according to various aspects and embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 2D illustrates a perspective view of an example inner sleeve 240 and an example magnet 250 of the breechface assembly 205 according to various aspects and embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 2E illustrates an exploded perspective view of the breechface assembly 205 according to various aspects and embodiments of the present disclosure. The breechface assembly 205 is an example alternative embodiment of the breechface assembly 105 described herein with reference to FIGS. 1A to 1E. The breechface assembly 205 is an example of a magnetic breechface assembly embodiment having an annular-shaped magnet concentrically or coaxially positioned within the outer sleeve 130.

    [0046] Referring to FIGS. 2A to 2E, among other components the muzzleloading firearm 100 in this example includes a breechface assembly 205, bolt 110, a primer positioning, seating and sealing device 220, the breechplug 170, the barrel 180, and the primer 190. The bolt 110 is releasably or detachably coupled to the primer positioning, seating and sealing device 220, and the breechplug 170 is positioned in and removably coupled to the barrel 180. The primer 190 is positioned in a sealed manner between and detachably coupled to the primer positioning, seating and sealing device 220 and the breechplug 170. The primer 190 is included in this example for illustration only and it may be omitted in other examples without deviating from the intended scope of the present disclosure. The primer 190 can be embodied as a 209 primer, large rifle primer, small rifle primer, or another ignition source in various examples. The breechface assembly 205 includes the moving bolt 110 and the primer positioning, seating and sealing device 220 among other components in various examples herein. In some cases, the breechface assembly 205 can further include at least one of the breechplug 170 or the primer 190 among other components. The breechface assembly 205 can be embodied and implemented in many examples as a magnetic breechface assembly having a magnetic primer positioning, seating and sealing device 220 as described herein.

    [0047] The bolt 110 includes the bolt body 111, the locking lugs 112a, 112b, the bolt nose 113, and the firing pin 115 in the example shown. The bolt nose 113 is embodied as a stepped bolt nose having the bore segment 113a, the bore segment 113b, and the outer shoulder 113c in this example. The outer shoulder 113c is operable to at least partly interact with, guide, support, and concentrically or coaxially align one or more components of the primer positioning, seating and sealing device 220 during operation of the firearm 100 as shown in this example and described herein.

    [0048] The primer positioning, seating and sealing device 220 at least includes the outer sleeve 130, an inner sleeve 240, and a magnet 250 in many examples. The inner sleeve 240 and the magnet 250 are concentrically or coaxially positioned within the outer sleeve 130 in the example shown. For instance, the inner sleeve 240 and the magnet 250 are each concentrically or coaxially positioned within the outer sleeve 130 relative to the centerline of the bolt 110. The inner sleeve 240 is an example alternative embodiment of the inner sleeve 140 described herein with reference to FIGS. 1A to 1E. The openings 142a, 142b, 142c, 142d, 142e and the magnets 150a, 150b, 150c, 150d, 150e are omitted from the inner sleeve 240 in the example shown. In other examples, the inner sleeve 240 can include any or all of the openings 142a, 142b, 142c, 142d, 142c or the magnets 150a, 150b, 150c, 150d, 150c. The magnet 250 is an alternative example embodiment of the magnets 150 described herein with reference to FIGS. 1A to 1E.

    [0049] The primer positioning, seating and sealing device 220 can further include the actuating spring 160 concentrically or coaxially positioned within the outer sleeve 130 and around the bore segment 113b of the bolt nose 113 as shown in this example. The actuating spring 160 can be included in the primer positioning, seating and sealing device 220 as an integral or integrated component in many examples. For instance, the actuating spring 160 and at least one of the magnet 250 or the inner sleeve 240 can be embodied such that one end of the actuating spring 160 is formed or integrated into an end of the magnet 250 or the inner sleeve 240. In other examples, the actuating spring 160 may be embodied as a modular or separate component that can be included in the firearm 100 and interact with at least one of the magnet 250 or the inner sleeve 240 during operation of the firearm 100 as described herein. For instance, the actuating spring 160 can be concentrically or coaxially positioned around the bore segment 113b relative to the centerline of the bolt 110 and between the bolt body 111 and at least one of the magnet 250 or the inner sleeve 240. In some cases, one end of the actuating spring 160 can be rigidly coupled to the bolt body 111 (e.g., formed or integrated into the bolt body 111) and an opposite end of the actuating spring 160 can be an uncoupled or free end that is configured and operable to interact with or contact at least one of the magnet 250 or the inner sleeve 240. In other cases, opposite ends of the actuating spring 160 can be uncoupled or free ends that are configured and operable to interact with or contact the bolt body 111 at one end and at least one of the magnet 250 or the inner sleeve 240 at the other end. When compressed during operation of the firearm 100, the actuating spring 160 is operable to apply equal and opposite forces against the bolt body 111 and at least one of the magnet 250 or the inner sleeve 240.

    [0050] The inner sleeve 240 is embodied as a stepped inner sleeve having a first end 241, a second end 243 opposite the first end 241, a first bore segment 242 at the first end 241, and a second bore segment 244 at the second end 243. The first end 241 and the bore segment 242 are embodied and operable to be positioned adjacent the breechplug 170 during operation of the firearm 100. The first end 241 and the bore segment 242 are further embodied and operable during such operation to at least partly interact with, guide, support, and concentrically or coaxially align the primer 190 relative to the centerline of the bolt 110 as shown in this example and described further herein. The second end 243 and the bore segment 244 can include or at least be operable to interact with one end of the magnet 250 during operation of the firearm 100. The second end 243 and the bore segment 244 are further embodied and operable during such operation to at least partly interact with, be guided by, supported by, and concentrically or coaxially aligned by the bore segment 113b of the bolt nose 113 relative to the centerline of the bolt 110 as shown in this example and described further herein. The bore segment 242 is also embodied and operable during operation of the firearm 100 to at least partly interact with, be guided by, supported by, and concentrically or coaxially aligned by the bore segment 113a of the bolt nose 113 relative to the centerline of the bolt 110 as shown in this example and described further herein.

    [0051] The bore segment 242 has a first annular cross-sectional shape that defines a first central opening or bore 245 at the first end 241 of the inner sleeve 240. The bore 245 extends from the first end 241 of the inner sleeve 240 into an inner portion of the bore segment 242. The bore segment 244 has a second annular cross-sectional shape that defines a second central opening or bore 247 at the second end 243 of the inner sleeve 240. The bore 247 extends from the second end 243 of the inner sleeve 240 into an inner portion of the bore segment 242. Each of the bore segments 242, 244 also has another annular cross-sectional shape that partly defines a third central opening or bore 249 extending through the inner sleeve 240 between the bores 245, 247. For instance, the bore 249 is defined by and extends through a portion of each of the bore segments 242, 244 from the bore 245 to the bore 247.

    [0052] The bores 245, 247, 249 are concentrically or coaxially defined relative to the centerline of the bolt 110. Together, the bores 245, 249 define an inner shoulder 246a within the bore segment 242 of the inner sleeve 240 as shown in this example. For instance, the bore 245 extends from the first end 241 of the inner sleeve 240 to the inner shoulder 246a, and the bore 249 extends from the bore 247 in the bore segment 244 to the inner shoulder 246a. The inner shoulder 246a is embodied and operable to at least partly interact with, guide, support, and concentrically or coaxially align the bore segment 192 of the primer 190 relative to the centerline of the bolt 110 during operation of the firearm 100 as shown in this example. Together, the bores 247, 249 define an inner shoulder 246b within the bore segment 244 of the inner sleeve 240 as shown in this example. For instance, the bore 247 extends from the second end 243 of the inner sleeve 240 to the inner shoulder 246b, and the bore 249 extends from the bore 245 in the bore segment 242 to the inner shoulder 246b. The inner shoulder 246b is embodied and operable to at least partly interact with and support the outer shoulder 113c on the bolt nose 113. The inner sleeve 240 further includes an outer shoulder 248 that is defined by the bore segments 242, 244 as shown in this example. For instance, the bore segment 242 extends from the first end 241 of the inner sleeve 240 to the outer shoulder 248, and the bore segment 244 extends from the second end 243 of the inner sleeve 240 to the outer shoulder 248. The outer shoulder 248 is embodied and operable to at least partly interact with and be supported by the inner shoulder 136 of the outer sleeve 130 during operation of the firearm 100. For instance, the actuating spring 160 can bias (e.g., push) the outer shoulder 248 and the bore segment 244 of the inner sleeve 240 toward the inner shoulder 136 and the bore segment 132 of the outer sleeve 130, respectively.

    [0053] The magnet 250 can be embodied with at least one of the actuating spring 160 or the inner sleeve 240 as a permanently fixed and integral component formed or otherwise integrated into the actuating spring 160 or the inner sleeve 240 during fabrication in some examples. In other cases, the magnet 250 can be embodied as a modular or separate component that can be coupled to at least one of the actuating spring 160 or the inner sleeve 240 such as by attachment or insertion into one or more openings, slots, channels, or other structures formed in the magnet 250 or the inner sleeve 240.

    [0054] The magnet 250 can be embodied as or include a neodymium magnet in many cases. For instance, the magnet 250 can be embodied as or include a grade N52 neodymium magnet or another grade of neodymium magnet. The magnet 250 can have axially aligned polarity or diametrically aligned polarity. For instance, the polarity of the magnet 250 can be axially aligned in some cases or diametrically aligned in other cases. The magnet 250 in one example can be embodied to have an ID that corresponds with an OD of the bore segment 113b of the bolt nose 113.

    [0055] The magnet 250 is embodied and operable to at least partly facilitate engaging, loading, and unloading of the primer 190 to and from the primer positioning, seating and scaling device 220 and the breechplug 170 during operation of the firearm 100 illustrated in FIG. 2A. For instance, the magnet 250 can be embodied and operable to impart or apply a magnetic pull on the primer 190 directly or at least partly through the bolt nose 113. The magnetic pull imparted or applied by the magnet 250 can cause the primer 190 to concentrically or coaxially align with the inner sleeve 240 and the breechplug 170 relative to the centerline custom-character of the bolt 110 during operation of the firearm 100. For instance, the magnet 250 can cause the bore segment 192 of the primer 190 to concentrically or coaxially align with the bore 245 of the inner sleeve 240 and cause the bore segment 194 of the primer 190 to concentrically or coaxially align with the bore 175 of the breechplug 170. The magnetic pull imparted or applied by the magnet 250 can further cause the bore segment 192 of the primer 190 to be biased toward (e.g., pulled toward), seat against, contact, or otherwise interact with the inner shoulder 246a in a scalable manner inside the inner sleeve 240 during operation of the firearm 100. For instance, the magnet 250 can cause the bore segment 192 of the primer 190 to be positioned against and biased toward the inner shoulder 246a within the bore 245 of the inner sleeve 240 during operation of the firearm 100. The primer 190 can further include a magnetically-attracted adapter or carrier in some examples such as a stainless steel material (e.g., 416 stainless steel) or other magnetically-attracted material that can facilitate or enhance the magnetic bias of the magnet 250 on the primer 190. For instance, the bore segment 194 of the primer 190 can be embodied as or include a magnetically-attracted material. In another example, the primer 190 can include a magnetically-attracted material positioned at least partly around the bore segment 194.

    [0056] The magnetic strength of the magnet 250 can be sufficient to bias the bore segment 192 of the primer 190 toward the inner shoulder 246a while still allowing the primer 190 to be extracted from the firearm 100 without the use of a tool. For instance, the magnetic strength of the magnet 250 in many cases can be sufficient to bias the bore segment 192 of the primer 190 toward the inner shoulder 246a while still allowing a user to remove the primer 190 from the firearm 100 using only a finger.

    [0057] A bullet or other projectile can be positioned within the barrel 180 adjacent to the second end 173 of the breechplug 170 and in front of a defined amount of powder charge such as gunpowder that can be located in the charge chamber or bore 179 during operation of the firearm 100 in many examples. An ignition caused by the primer 190 occurs in the bore 175 of the breechplug 170 during such operation and travels along the bore 177 of the breechplug 170 until it reaches the gunpowder in the charge chamber or bore 179 of the breechplug 170. An explosion occurs when the ignition reaches the gunpowder in the charge chamber or bore 179, thrusting the bullet out the end of the barrel 180.

    [0058] FIGS. 2A to 2E show an example embodiment in which a ring-shaped neodymium magnet is incorporated into the rear of the spring-loaded primer positioning, seating and scaling device 220. In some embodiments, the axial length of the bore segment 244 on the inner sleeve 240 can be shorter compared to the axial length of the bore segment 144 on the inner sleeve 140. For instance, the axial length of the bore segment 244 can be shorter relative to the bore segment 144 to account for a thickness of the magnet 250.

    [0059] In some example embodiments, the magnetic breechface assembly 105 or 205 is an original equipment component of the muzzleloading firearm 100 as a part of a bolt assembly of the firearm 100. In other embodiments, the magnetic breechface assembly 105 or 205 may be embodied and operable as a retrofit component or subassembly, for example by provision of a modified bolt or bolt modification kit configured to replace corresponding parts of the muzzleloading firearm 100. The embodiments of the present disclosure further include a method of modification of the muzzleloading firearm 100 by retrofitting such a modified bolt and/or magnetic breechface assembly components of an existing firearm. The embodiments of the present disclosure further include methods of using the muzzleloading firearm 100 having the magnetic breechface assembly 105 or 205 as disclosed to insert and remove primers such as the primer 190 to and from the breechplug 170 of the firearm 100, optionally including the use of a magnetic adaptor or carrier on the primer 190 as disclosed.

    [0060] The features, structures, or characteristics described above may be combined in one or more embodiments in any suitable manner, and the features discussed in the various embodiments are interchangeable, if possible. In the above description, numerous specific details are provided in order to fully understand the embodiments of the present disclosure. However, a person skilled in the art will appreciate that the technical solution of the present disclosure may be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or other methods, components, materials, and the like may be employed. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the present disclosure.

    [0061] Combinatorial language, such as at least one of X, Y, and Z or at least one of X, Y, or Z, unless indicated otherwise, is used in general to identify one, a combination of any two, or all three (or more if a larger group is identified) thereof, such as X and only X, Y and only Y, and Z and only Z, the combinations of X and Y, X and Z, and Y and Z, and all of X, Y, and Z. Such combinatorial language is not generally intended to, and unless specified does not, identify or require at least one of X, at least one of Y, and at least one of Z to be included. The terms about and substantially, unless otherwise defined herein to be associated with a particular range, percentage, or related metric of deviation, account for at least some manufacturing tolerances between a theoretical design and manufactured product or assembly, such as the geometric dimensioning and tolerancing criteria described in the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Y 14.5 and the related International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standards. Such manufacturing tolerances are still contemplated, as one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate, although about, substantially, or related terms are not expressly referenced, even in connection with the use of theoretical terms, such as the geometric perpendicular, orthogonal, vertex, collinear, coplanar, and other terms.

    [0062] Although the relative terms such as on, below, upper, and lower are used in the specification to describe the relative relationship of one component to another component, these terms are used in this specification for convenience only, for example, as a direction in an example shown in the drawings. It should be understood that if the device is turned upside down, the upper component described above will become a lower component. When a structure is on another structure, it is possible that the structure is integrally formed on another structure, or that the structure is directly disposed on another structure, or that the structure is indirectly disposed on the other structure through other structures.

    [0063] In this specification, the terms such as a, an, the, and said are used to indicate the presence of one or more elements and components. The terms comprise, include, have, contain, and their variants are used to be open ended, and are meant to include additional elements, components, etc., in addition to the listed elements, components, etc. unless otherwise specified in the appended claims.

    [0064] The terms first, second, etc. are used only as labels, rather than a limitation for a number of the objects. It is understood that if multiple components are shown, the components may be referred to as a first component, a second component, and so forth, to the extent applicable. Further, if a component is described as there being at least one of said component, it is understood that this may mean one or more of said component. Conversely, if a component is described as there being one or more of said component, it is understood that this may mean at least one of said component.

    [0065] As referenced herein in the context of quantity, the terms a or an are intended to mean at least one and are not intended to imply one and only one. As referred to herein, the terms include, includes, and including are each intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term comprising. As referenced herein, the terms or and and/or are generally intended to be inclusive, that is (i.e.), A or B or A and/or B are each intended to mean A or B or both. As referred to herein, the terms first, second, third, and so on, can be used interchangeably to distinguish one component or entity from another and are not intended to signify location, functionality, or importance of the individual components or entities. As referenced herein, the terms couple, couples, coupled, and/or coupling refer to chemical coupling (e.g., chemical bonding), communicative coupling, electrical and/or electromagnetic coupling (e.g., capacitive coupling, inductive coupling, direct and/or connected coupling), mechanical coupling, operative coupling, optical coupling, fluid coupling, thermal coupling, and/or physical coupling.

    [0066] It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of the present disclosure are merely possible examples of implementations set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the disclosure. Many variations and modifications can be made to the above-described embodiment(s) without departing substantially from the spirit and principles of the disclosure. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and protected by the following claims.