Yes, that's right. They take either a bullet with loose powder poured in, a paper cartridge, or one of Charlie Hahn's cardboard tubes to make a "cartridge".
Definitely a civil-war era "old-school" technology. It's not as clean, quick and conveninent as a BPCR, but has a wonderful charm all its own. I rather like it and am saddened that these don't "count" as muzzle-loaders for hunting regulation purposes in Morontario
I liked mine Claven and somewhat miss it. Problem is, I can't own everything and new stuff keeps coming along.
I just poured in the powder with the gun muzzle down, you don't really need paper cartridges unless you want to make them. With the right amount (70-100 grains or so), it should just about fill the chamber, then as you close the lever, the guillotine effect will push out any excess.
I used a dowel to push the bullet in till it hit the rlfling.
Mine had a bit of a lag between cap firing and ignition...probably because I was using Pioneer BP substitute. But, that long channel through the breech block takes time for the flame to traverse.
On mine, the bolt channel cleanout screw head was buggered, but we got it out, plus I got a new screw sent from Shiloh Sharps. The hole was plugged, it was good to be able to clean it out.
I think you know to keep the breech plate well lubed with grease, CLP or whichever?
They're a funny design. There is that concave area in the breech plate area, with the cone in the middle. There is no way you are going to fill up the entire area with BP, so it means there is an air space no matter what.
That's what I've always been told, no air space with BP, always seat the bullet tight against the powder. Well, you can't with these, but they work fine.
