Another Combustible Cartridge Thread

[Jaegermeister]

While patiently waiting to get my 1860 Army back from Goons I decided to try my hand at making some Civil War cartridges for it. So I ordered a cartridge kit and a sweet mold (.44 Johnston &Dow) from Eras Gone. Here’s my first few cartridges. These are very fun to make and look pretty neat. I’ve read that folks shoot more accurately with lose powder and round ball but what the hell. The cool factor wins.

 

[ZUG]

Yup -- I agree on the "cool factor" of the combustible cartridges - I got Eras Gone molds for 31 caliber through.44 caliber and they are neat! Along with Cap&Ball's wooden cartridge boxes it's the cat's meow combination.

 

[Jaegermeister]

Hmm. I’ve seen those wooden block 6 round cartridge boxes. I need to buy or make a few to keep my cartridges in. I also like those early war paper packages with the caps included.
For lube I guess I’ll melt some SPG and dip the bullets. Sure wish Goon would hurry up : )

 

[FlyingMountainBoomer]

I bought a couple of the boxes from C&B, and made a few of my own that included a percussion cap holder. I love rolling these things. They make plinking fast and fun!

 

[Dave Markowitz]

I bought the same kit and made up some cartridges. They sure allow you to shoot more compared with loading loose powder and ball. At first I followed the seller's method as shown in his YouTube video but then simplified it by not trimming the bullet end, and just twisting it over the round ball.

I also found that for the initial rolling of the cartridge tube, an empty .303 British case works a little better as a mandrel for .44 cartridges. I then transfer the tube over to the GOTW mandrel and add the end cap.

The paper twist provides a little handle to grab the cartridges out of the box.

Aside from the papers included with the GOTW kit I also tried Zig Zag rolling papers. They worked but are a little too narrow for .44s, IMO. They should work well for .36s.

 

[ZUG]

Dave - those paper cartridges that you are showing are the cat's meow. I love the pig tail handle. So - the container is for the .45 ACP cartridge I am guessing - no need to get into detail on this as some will have an issue with it. Do you use nitrated papers. I use coffee filter paper that I nitrate using stump remover solution.

 

[Tom A Hawk]

Now, where can we source a good quality belt cartridge box to put them in?

 

[Dave Markowitz]

Zug,

The papers are whatever was included with the GOTW kit. I did not nitrate them. When I shot the cartridges made with these papers I did not get 100% combustion but this did not impede ignition on subsequent shots.

The plastic box is made by MTM for unmentionable .44/.45 revolver cartridges.

 

[Dave Markowitz]

Now, where can we source a good quality belt cartridge box to put them in?

Last night I ordered a belt pouch off eBay. Search for "CIVIL WAR US CSA PISTOL REVOLVER .36 Caliber AMMO AMMUNITION POUCH-BLACK LEATHER".

I also made up some .36 caliber rounds for my Uberti 1851 Navy. For these I used Zig Zag rolling papers for the tubes but with the base discs included with the GOTW kit.

A downside that I noticed when making cartridges using this method (i.e., paper twisted over the ball) is that it's difficult to impossible to keep the sprue up. I'll need to see if/how this affects accuracy. I suspect it'll be fine for plinking or shooting at an 8" steel plate from ~10 yards.

 

[Bighorserider]

I have zero experience with cap revolvers, but it seems like if you load with the spru to the side it would be shaved off anyway. Comments.

 

[ZUG]

Zug,

The papers are whatever was included with the GOTW kit. I did not nitrate them. When I shot the cartridges made with these papers I did not get 100% combustion but this did not impede ignition on subsequent shots.

The plastic box is made by MTM for unmentionable .44/.45 revolver cartridges.

Thanks for the reply Dave -

 

[ord sgt]

Zug,

The papers are whatever was included with the GOTW kit. I did not nitrate them. When I shot the cartridges made with these papers I did not get 100% combustion but this did not impede ignition on subsequent shots.

The plastic box is made by MTM for unmentionable .44/.45 revolver cartridges.

Since the paper is not completely consumed, is there any problems with starting fires in dry grass? I have seen cloth patches from rifles smolder and start dry grass to burn.

 

[eggwelder]

RAW brand cigarette papers burn to almost nothing, maybe a small piece where the glue is, but i only found one piece out of 12 shots in the chambers.

 

[rodwha]

I have zero experience with cap revolvers, but it seems like if you load with the spru to the side it would be shaved off anyway. Comments.

I use a Lee mold so there’s not much of a sprue to speak of, but otherwise I do set mine sideways to just shave it off. My ram faces are rounded I believe, and wonder if it wouldn’t smash the sprue round.

 

[Stantheman86]

I'll have to try this when I get around to it, I barely have time to roll musket cartridges.

I went a different route and I'm making a rig to hold 8 revolvers with a pouch for a flask, balls/bullets and caps so I can load all of them up at home and just go shooting . Then just reload one or two of them if I want to shoot more.

 

[leadhoarder]

I use a Lee mold so there’s not much of a sprue to speak of, but otherwise I do set mine sideways to just shave it off. My ram faces are rounded I believe, and wonder if it wouldn’t smash the sprue round.

That is an obvious solution to dealing with the sprue. Most folks recommend having it point out the mouth of the cylinder but your suggestion to shave it off just makes sense.

 

[rodwha]

That is an obvious solution to dealing with the sprue. Most folks recommend having it point out the mouth of the cylinder but your suggestion to shave it off just makes sense.

It makes sense to be but then my sense of logic has let me down before. I’d be curious as to what the ball looks like when a sprue is loaded facing forward. Does it smash the sprue round?

 

[GREENSWLDE]

As on a previous Post. Beware of paper cases in CBLs..If they Do Not fully consume there can be some paper and base wad left in the bore usually at the front of the chamber or just into the rifling with left hand(right handers) damaging results. Lost fingers and lots of stitches. Was a long range load in a repro. We now have a rule that CBLs must be roded thru' after each shot fired. Surprising what some times come out of the front end.

 

[Marplot]

While patiently waiting to get my 1860 Army back from Goons I decided to try my hand at making some Civil War cartridges for it. So I ordered a cartridge kit and a sweet mold (.44 Johnston &Dow) from Eras Gone. Here’s my first few cartridges. These are very fun to make and look pretty neat. I’ve read that folks shoot more accurately with lose powder and round ball but what the hell. The cool factor wins.
View attachment 59577

Can you mount these cartridges in the cylinder is still in the pistol? I am thinking for 1860 Army and Walker .44. I'd be using round balls.

 

[Jaegermeister]

Yes I loaded them while the cylinder was in the pistol. Very close fit. Roundball would be easier.