Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Muzzleloaders CO2 discharger.......

While not the only way to unload a ML, CO2 dischargers are very convenient to use. They are usually quicker than other methods and eliminate having to work at the muzzle of a loaded rifle. The most available ones are based on bicycle tire inflators, They work well enough if it interfaces with the rifle properly. However the plastic fitting that comes with them now does not work well, for me anyway. Various fittings to adapt the discharger to side-hammer percussion, flint, or inline rifle don't seem to be readily available, but can be found used or in old stock in stores. Make sure that the discharger can be used with your rifle before depending on it. A special fitting may be needed depending on your rifle. It is surprising that no one makes these fittings anymore since they are important.

The old Thompson/Center discharger can work well for side-hammer percussion guns. Early ones took a small CO2 cartridge that can be hard to find now. I have a problem with leaking CO2 in mine, have tried various gasket materials to no avail. I'm still trying to figure out why T/C used left a handed thread on it.

RMC Oxyoke made a nice brass ML specific discharger a few years ago. Eventually mine started leaking, but truing up the sealing surfaces and lubing the o-rings with grease has fixed that. Fittings are a problem with it as well.

Fittings are not hard to make with a small metal lathe, which is what I have done. The ones made for bicycle inflators usually have a special thread for the Schrader valve: .305-32. Dies are expensive, so single pointing the thread is called for.

If the ball is not seated, say stuck mid-bore, there is a much bigger volume to pressurize. If the ball is really stuck the discharger may not work. Best to seat it down all the way, then blow it out.

They will send a ball down range with authority, so keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction.

The discharger will also decant the cranberry jelly from the can nicely. Just punch a small hole in the back of the open can and press the tip to the hole. Use food grade CO2 of course!