Rebel, I think like you do sometimes. I don't actually use black powder, but read about all the equipment folks use these days to load it- drop tubes, powder compressing tools, wad packers (whatever they are called), not to mention the measure and loading tool itself.
I wonder how much of that was really in use by the ODGs.
Then, you come along and add to the list of stuff with the funnel possibility. Where does it end for these things? 
Me, I just decrease that load of 4227 by around 26 grs. and stick a bullet in. Presto.
BTW, that is, as far as I know, a Winchester dipper you have.

I load fixed-cartridge but wanted the components to display.  I continually look for photos of the old stuff, e.g., scales, moulds, presses, etc., just for fun.  I currently load 14-14.5gr 4227 on 208gr Hoch mould bullet.  I just wanted to see what it was like to "dip" some powder.  I tried to first play with 300-MP but it was like the dipper was magnetized.  I read somewhere that some by-passed the dipper and scooped BP directly into the case (almost full) then set the bullet in place.  BP compresses.  In the real world back then I sure wouldn't want to use the 1891 or 1894 Winchester Reloading Tools.  The Ideal or Marlin tools were neat.  Obviously, the Ideal lead to the Lyman Tool of today.

I have seen a few references mentioning buffalo hunter techniques. The method often times used was to dip the case in a pan of powder and dispense with a dipper.

I am down to two BPCRs now, a 50-70 and a 50-90. With these two I can almost pour direct from the can....

SS

Started loading BP at age 13 with a "all-in-one" loading tool. Cast bullets, lubed by hand, used shortened cases as powder measure(s). With totally clean barrel, lubed with same lube used on bullets, was totally reliable rifle for shooting foxes to about 100M.

No "magic", just simple, essential steps. De-prime, wash and dry cases, re-prime, bell case slightly, cast bullet, lube and use unsized, add powder, seat bullet (maybe crimped, maybe not).

Grisen

Never heard of using index finger and thumb as simple guide funnel?? Or a little peice of paper, or several other possibilities. Using empty shell casing already largely makes it easy, no matter what the cartridge. Who really used those dippers for black powder, anyway??? Always thought they were for early "semi-smokeless" powder, such as LesSmok.

Grisen

Hi calledflyer,

As you can see from what I write below, I agree totally with what you wrote "Yet, those old geezers got match grade results when they wanted to! Good bullets, reliable powder, and plain ol' skill?"

While I have loaded BP since age 13, I have never used a droptube and never felt a need for one. All I have ever done is tap filled cases lightly on side or tap base of filled case on a smooth, hard surface -- either can give quite reproducible packing of powder. I use little or no compression, normally simply as minor adjustment to get bullet touching rear of rifling.

Other things I have long considered essential for smallest groups is good wads under bullets, bullets seated out to touch or almost touch rifling, concentric bullets and bullets finger tight in fire-formed (never resize) cases. All this for single shot rifles, of course. For tube mag rifles I do crimp, as lightly as possible, ditto for hunting ammo.

I suspect that those old guys of legend stuck to already well established "good loading" practice. Perhaps similar to what I do. Note that some of those ancient designs of BP bullets are still excellent shooters in BP rifles -- many seem to have rep of being stable in wind and in their ability to penetrate reliably. 

Sometimes I suspect that modern shooters waste a lot of time and money investigating minor factors while neglecting basic loading and shooting skills required for excellent groups, say in sports shooting such as BPCR, where targets are not really small and success is knocking over steel critters, not shooting smallest groups. I stick to Swiss BP because of the ease of getting excellent groups with it, together with known good bullets, etc. Similar or perhaps even better BPs are understood to have been widely available long ago.

Grisen

FRITZ,

Is it reasonable to think that original sheet metal funnels were lost, unless part of loading tools that were kept in a specially designed container/box? Say for a target rifle??

Mostly I have seen individual "all-in-one" tong-type loading tools, no additional items, and separated from any rifle.

Grisen