AaronH
32 Cal
Looking for information on what size to cut my paper for 62cal paper cartridges. I have found a size for the brown bess, should i just trim off some on each side? My research has found me at a dead end. Thank you all.
Don't get too worried about the size of the paper. You will be okay with three wraps of the ball, or three wraps of the forming stick as described by @Flint62Smoothie or trim the about 7" dimension of the Brown Bess wrap to 5 5/8". His description of making the cartridge is good. The paper wrap of the ball is a reasonable patch for the ball as well as doing something to lubricate the wrapped ball.Looking for information on what size to cut my paper for 62cal paper cartridges. I have found a size for the brown bess, should i just trim off some on each side? My research has found me at a dead end. Thank you all.
Thank you!I just use a 5/8” dowel to roll them and don’t worry about any angled shape on the paper. For paper I use those note pads from the Dollar Store that have a grey/clay colored ‘math’ paper as we used to call it in grade school … or at least those of my generation did, lol!
Final length can be custom to your load. I cut the paper ‘length’ when rolled, so when glued, twice rolled, the start/end edges line up, so being ‘like a patch’, it’s the same thickness all the way around. Not eccentric, which would mean the ball if OFF center!
There are 2 methods, ‘English’ with the ball tied in place w/ string, and ‘French’ with a fold or twist immediately above the ball. You can look them up online, but the French roll is a lot harder to find info about, but it works.
A trick I do is to do the roll, with the ball in the end, then dip them in 50/50 mix of cooking oil & beeswax (same lube I use for Minies), going to 1/3rd wax to 2/3rds oil if using them in colder temps getting close to freezing. But I don’t use beeswax lubes below freezing! I dip them about 3/8” above the ball height & let ‘almost’ dry, and then give them a quick/careful twist. A simple pinch for a second seals the ball below the powdah chamber.
Then fill with powdah & seal - many methods there too - depending if you’re a reenactor and/or how traditional do you want to be.
[FYI, for hunting, if using a paper cartridge loads where temps will be BELOW freezing, I’ll wipe Track of the Wolf’s mink oil on the ball area.]
For use, open cartridge, load powdah, and then I tear off excess paper (has proved to be more accurate for me), seat and shoot …
Thank you!Don't get too worried about the size of the paper. You will be okay with three wraps of the ball, or three wraps of the forming stick as described by @Flint62Smoothie or trim the about 7" dimension of the Brown Bess wrap to 5 5/8". His description of making the cartridge is good. The paper wrap of the ball is a reasonable patch for the ball as well as doing something to lubricate the wrapped ball.
I use brown paper grocery bag paper mostly. I also have a few rolls of that brown paper sold for wrapping packages, I use it for shot cartridges and patterning paper. I make more shot cartridges than roundball cartridges, but I've had it work for both.I am curious what paper you all use for your cartridges I have been using paint masking paper I got before I retired. I’ve tried newsprint but had no luck with it- too flimsy.
I’m also shooting a 62 cal smoothbore, I roll it using a brass rod I turned to .600 I tie the top off and also tie under the ball then add my powder. I use the red and white string that bakers use to tie up their boxes. Its thin fairly strong and gives an excuse to buy some jelly donuts now and again!
Thanks Kevin
How are you making ur shot cartridges?? Same method as ball?I use brown paper grocery bag paper mostly. I also have a few rolls of that brown paper sold for wrapping packages, I use it for shot cartridges and patterning paper. I make more shot cartridges than roundball cartridges, but I've had it work for both.
This is pinned at the top of the smoothbore section as a locked "sticky"How are you making ur shot cartridges?? Same method as ball?
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