Ramrods
The ramrods fitted to most sporting muzzle loading shotguns are unsuitable for general loading use for clay pigeon shooting. A stouter, more robust ramrod is required. These may be easily made from either hard wood dowel or a rigid plastic rod, such as nylon. The ramrod should have a ball like feature at the end for comfortable loading and safety. We have found that wooden drawer knobs or snooker balls serve this purpose best. The wooden ramrods should be fitted with a brass tip.

Drawing Rods
If during loading a mistake is made e.g. no powder put in, or worse, double loaded, the load must be withdrawn for safety reasons. Under no circumstances should you take a chance and fire the gun. Incorrect loading can easily occur particularly if distracted during the loading process. Conventional screwed cleaning rods can be fitted with a screw or worm attachment. This is then placed in the barrel and progressively screwed into the load column and withdrawn. The contents may then be emptied out. It is advisable to cap off to clear any residual powder before reloading.

Powder Flasks
Powder flasks whether original or reproductions, are mainly made from copper or brass and are fitted with an adjustable measuring spout. Before use the measures should be checked against a set of powder scales to give the user an idea of its accuracy.

Shot Flasks
Similarly to powder flasks, shot flasks mostly have an adjustable measuring spout normally giving two options of shot load. The shot load dispensed from a flask should be checked against a set of scales before use to check their accuracy. The body of a shot flask is usually made of rigid or soft leather.

Priming Flasks
The flintlock shooter will require a priming flask. These flasks are of a small capacity and are used to hold the very fine powder used for priming the pan. They are easily and cheaply available from specialist muzzle loading suppliers.

Powder - Shot Phials
Glass or preferably plastic phials are commercially available cheaply from medical/pharmaceutical suppliers. A measured amount of shot or powder is placed in the phial. The measuring may be by means of flask dispensing, or shot/powder scoops. For the inexperienced muzzle loader phials, when set out in equal numbers of shot and powder are a useful aid to correct loading as there is a visual indication that the corresponding numbers of powder and shot phials have been used. Also there is an important safety aspect to using phials in that only a small amount of powder is exposed at any time.

Powder - Shot Scoops
These are adjustable scoops with graduated settings for both powder and shot measurements. Before use they should be checked against a scale for accuracy.

The Lakenheath Muzzle Loaders Group would always advocate and strongly recommend that you seek professional advice and confirmation of the powder and shot loads prior to loading any gun and firing it.