Abstract: Apparatus for loading an upwardly extending borehole with a fluent explosive, including a tubular member extending along a portion of its length into the borehole, a conduit axially extending into the external open end section of the tubular member to a point short of the borehole face, and means for collapsing the tubular member intermediate the end of the conduit therein and the borehole face.The tubular member is outwardly expanded along at least a portion of its periphery and length in the borehole into impact engagement with the borehole wall by force of detonation generated within said length portion, for support in the borehole and for closing the borehole sufficiently to preclude gravitation of fluent explosive through the annulus formed by the tubular member and the borehole wall when the explosive is conveyed into the borehole through the tubular member.