The present invention relates to an apparatus for loading a barrel of a muzzle loading firearm to provide powder and a projectile at a breach end of the barrel. The apparatus comprises: (i) a handle having a central longitudinal axis and adapted to be gripped by one hand, the handle having an opening between opposed ends along the axis; (ii) a moveable casing having a head and mounted in the opening adjacent one end of the handle and adapted to receive a ramrod of the muzzle loading rifle into the casing; (iii) a retaining means for retaining the casing within the opening, the retaining means mounted on the handle with at least a portion of the retaining means mounted inside the opening; and (iv) a coil spring mounted in the opening inside the handle between the portion of the retaining means mounted in the opening and the head of the casing. When the ramrod is used to force the projectile onto powder in the barrel at the breach end, the casing is moved towards the portion of the starter against the coil spring to pressure the projectile against the powder. The retaining means can comprise a starter for the projectile extending from one end of the handle. The starter is adapted to start a projectile in the barrel of the muzzle loading firearm.