I use the Alemite version of Howard's Hilka and usually try to refill the empty cartridges as much as possible, although the Alemite can also be bulk filled by reversing the piston. As I have mentioned before, I think, I also break from tradition and use the NLGI 00 grade Penrite steering box lubricant instead of grease, way less mess and it seems to go all around the moving parts instead of simply escaping out through the area with the most clearance, also it can be more or less poured into the gun or recycled cartridge possibly with a little assistance from a bucket of warm water... Having spent what seemed an inordinate amount of time as an apprentice on the end of a bulk-filled manual grease gun I found that spooning the grease into the gun barrel using (preferably some one else's 12 inch steel rule) was a far better dodge than the plunge into the bulk drum method. This way you can clamp the piston rod (the one you pull out to lock and load) in the vice, pull on the barrel to extend and lock it and away you go with minimal mess.
As others have suggested, snap on type grease gun chucks are usually adjustable, and sometimes using a bit of rag over the nipple before attaching the chuck stops the dreaded ooze from obstinate nipples. This dodge also works with needles.
Dennis Nicholas : try a flexible connection on your gun, they're intended for power greasing outfits (they're available in various lengths) but you should be able to find something to suit your hand gun. It does make life a lot easier, especially when you have to crack the chuck off the nipple in some inaccessible spot.
As others have suggested, snap on type grease gun chucks are usually adjustable, and sometimes using a bit of rag over the nipple before attaching the chuck stops the dreaded ooze from obstinate nipples. This dodge also works with needles.
Dennis Nicholas : try a flexible connection on your gun, they're intended for power greasing outfits (they're available in various lengths) but you should be able to find something to suit your hand gun. It does make life a lot easier, especially when you have to crack the chuck off the nipple in some inaccessible spot.