Wanted one for a long time. In the 1980's, I used Bill's #6 in Cooper Landing, Ak. At that time a dedicated group of Shooter's would meet at Bill's "Fort", and primarily shoot Sharps Buffalo Rifles. Bill's # 6, was set to his favorite 45 2-7/8 duplex load. The octagon topped Sharps Borschardt that I was shooting at the time, was also a 45 2-7/8" chambering. Loading was simple. A Pope style tool removed and replaced the primer, and a charge was dumped from the #6. A cork wad was placed on top of the powder charge and a paper patched bullet was placed into the case mouth. 5 rounds could be quickly loaded and the carried out the door to the covered shooting bench. a 14" square steel plate at 330 yards was the favored target. Many an afternoon was spent, banging away at that plate.
Last week I finally managed to buy a #6. They are difficult to find! The Ideal #6, sometimes referred to as a Schutzen Powder Measure. Has two powder reservoirs, a smaller one for the duplex priming charge and a larger one for the black powder charge.Makes duplex loading of BPCR easy.
Rick
PS If Bill's looking down, He's probably saying "It took you long enough!"