WASP NEST WADDING?

Eterry · May 18, 2023

CVA Enthusiast said:
YES!!! I like to ask well on behalf of the new guys/gals starting out as well as my own, I checked a few sources, well IT makes perfect sense, something in the saliva of paper wasp a flame retardant I have seen few here posting on using. For us new guys there are questions, Do you use the whole nest? Are the nests dried? Summarily like patch work set ball cut off a plug? Poking at em with a stick, well lets just say it is not the best way of getting them vacated, (DO NOT ASK!!!). How does one go about getting started? Other than flame retardant are there other benefits? I figure others can benefit from the open post

I haven't read all the posts, but here's my thoughts.
I tried using old abandoned nest, it's much easier if they've moved out.
I used it as wadding in my smoothbores, but wasn't impressed at all. I had lots of blow-by and really made my charges weak, compared to regular over powder wads.
I tossed it and never looked back.
Maybe if that's was all I had, or tried it more the results may have been better. But with card wads a penny each it didn't seem viable.
Your mileage may vary.

snakebit · May 19, 2023

CVA Enthusiast said:
YES!!! I like to ask well on behalf of the new guys/gals starting out as well as my own, I checked a few sources, well IT makes perfect sense, something in the saliva of paper wasp a flame retardant I have seen few here posting on using. For us new guys there are questions, Do you use the whole nest? Are the nests dried? Summarily like patch work set ball cut off a plug? Poking at em with a stick, well lets just say it is not the best way of getting them vacated, (DO NOT ASK!!!). How does one go about getting started? Other than flame retardant are there other benefits? I figure others can benefit from the open post

I've read in a few books, one was titled "Hunting and Trapping the Great Plains" if my memory is correct, where the ones who came before us used pieces from Hornets nests. Im sure I still have that book somewhere. I'll see if I can locate it.

necchi · May 19, 2023

CVA Enthusiast said:
I gotta say I am VERY IMPRESSED, with the wasp nest as wad, I took a few shots with the wasp nest accuracy was not tanked as I initially thought it would be and well I am a sabot nut but if I can get a nest large enough to equip a .50 Cal I actually prefer the nest. 1) flame retardant 2) loads so much easier even after a round or two. I do not pass em up these days, and keep a can or two of wasp spray on hand

Can you explain some of that?
You used it in what gun?
How can Wasp nest be compared to "sabot" in it's application with traditional arms?
What is "not tanked" when applied to accuracy?
And what do you need the Wasp spray for?

Eterry · May 19, 2023

My dad never bought a can of wasp spray, ever. He simply rolled a newspaper page into a tight knot, waited until dark, took a match, lit said paper, and held it under the critters. Their wings were gone in an instant.
You'll only try this bare foot once!!

necchi · May 19, 2023

Eterry said:
He,,,,,, waited until dark,,,

That's the key most folks don't seem to wait for.
Kinda like gettin a family of skunk out from under a shed, it's all about timing,,

büchsenmacher64 · May 19, 2023

Eterry said:
My dad never bought a can of wasp spray, ever. He simply rolled a newspaper page into a tight knot, waited until dark, took a match, lit said paper, and held it under the critters. Their wings were gone in an instant.
You'll only try this bare foot once!!

hanshi · May 19, 2023

I've used both hornet and wasp paper nests for wadding. They worked and that's all I needed.

Rob M. · Jun 3, 2023

Use hornets nest ... There's a bunch of it so it lasts a long time and you use the outer layer ,not the actual nest which may have larvae in it which , naturally, is a bad idea to use. Collect them in the winter and folks are more than happy to let you have them . Works great too ...

bpd303 · Jun 3, 2023

When I was but a puppy, back in the mid '50s and my Grandfather would take me squirrel hunting with his .36 cal Ohio flintlock. He would tell stories about when he was young and he had to use paper from a hornet nest as a patch. He said he would cut the outer layers into strips then the strips were cut into squares to fit around the ball. To load he would dump a measure of powder down the bore, put a square in his mouth to dampen it then seat the ball over it at the muzzle and ram it home.
He was happy that those days were over and he used strips of ticking cut at the muzzle with spit as a lube. I can't remember him ever missing a squirrel head shot with his load. He would even let me use the Ohio to take a shot once in a while. Sure wish I had that rifle now, but my older brother wound up with it when Grandpa passed away.
I carried a Page-Lewis model B Sharp Shooter falling block .22LR which I still have.

Rob M. · Jun 6, 2023

The good stuff !

. Hornets nest , outside material

CVA Enthusiast · Aug 19, 2024

user 49399 said:
I gather old vacant nests from barn lofts, eaves, etc. In my CVA Kentucky pistol, I load powder, bare ball, and a wad to keep all in. For this purpose, other materials work just as good like brown paper, wool wads, patches, leaves, jute tow, etc.

Yes I have hear all manner of wads, the wasp nest drew an interest due to the flame retardant. Some locals lost a building in a dry season patch was named the culprit that started it off.

CVA Enthusiast · Aug 19, 2024

Rob M. said:
The good stuff ! . Hornets nest , outside material

For those following, and my own just the outside of the nest is useable?

Rob M. · Aug 19, 2024

CVA Enthusiast said:
For those following, and my own just the outside of the nest is useable?

You can use the actual nest part , its like wasp nest but there is usually so much of the outside stuff its not necessary and the inside part , the actual nest , can have grubs in it ... not a good thing to have in your bore

...

Dusty_Traveler · Aug 19, 2024

Rob M. said:
the actual nest , can have grubs in it ...

Those transform into bore slickum when the load is seated.

Rob M. · Aug 19, 2024

Dusty_Traveler said:
Those transform into bore slickum when the load is seated.

LOL !! Okeydoke ....

Dusty_Traveler · Aug 19, 2024

Rob M. said:
LOL !! Okeydoke ....

Their best use is as bream bait.

Rob M. · Aug 19, 2024

Dusty_Traveler said:
Their best use is as bream bait.

Hmmm..... What's a bream ?

Dusty_Traveler · Aug 19, 2024

Rob M. said:
Hmmm..... What's a bream ?

Panfish! Yum!

Rob M. · Aug 19, 2024

Dusty_Traveler said:
Panfish! Yum!

Hmmm.... Interesting . Thanks

brushblind · Aug 19, 2024

I use the entire nest, tear off a chunk, give it a spritz of moose milk, ram it home over the powder, insert shot or ball and top off with another wad of MM lubed nest. Don't over dampen it, just enough to make a wad. The best thing is, it's cheaper than dirt.

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