Cartridge/wad

[smoothshooter]

I’ve done both powder wad ball and a few times the wad on top of the ball. One issue for me is I use homemade lubricated wadS and I suspect if loaded between the ball and powder the wad may contaminate The powder if left loaded for an extended period.

If the wad lube is not runny or oily it will not have any noticeable effect on the powder. I have experimented around with this issue several times over the years. I will admit that I have not checked the results with a chronograph, but recoil, noise, accuracy, and point of impact were as normal when left loaded in clean chambers for weeks and months at a time in pretty hot weather.
Am not convinced that a wad works as much of a gas seal, so I have used undersized wads In normal loading, and in paper cartridges because they fit in the tubes better. Everything still works fine. Even when I have used square wads just to see what would happen.

 

[AZbpBurner]

Okay if adding the wad would be overkill, what would adding a filler like cream of wheat under the wad be?

Breakfast?

 

[bigted]

OP ... the paper is not a sealing product. Simply a container for a neat powder, ball and lube.

Container is the paper tube

Powder charge is 20 grains 3F for 36 cal, 30 grains foe 44 cal.

And having dipped the ball end in melted lube down aprox 1/8th below the ball on the paper provides lube that does not burn off when the neighboring chambers are lit off.

The paper cartridges are just a way to speed up range time loading. If added time to the loading process for making the cartridges ... you will find that these paper cartridges actually have added MORE time to the loading process.

Overall lose powder n balls with either over ball lube or under ball wads are faster and cleaner then making and using cartridges.

 

[Grenadier1758]

I don’t know if this has been brought up before. I’m just curious because I’m just getting into revolvers...
If it’s common practice to use a wad over the powder, I understand that helps make a seal. Now, it seems like most paper cartridges don’t use a wad. Is that because the paper forms a bit of a seal around the ball?

Depends on how the paper cartridge is loaded.

If the cartridge is torn open and the powder is poured into the cylinder, the paper can act as a wad as the paper wil take up space behind the ball. Since we don't know how the paper will crumple up behind the ball, accuracy may be affected.

As previously stated, the ball should be larger than the chamber mouth, so a ring of lead and the paper around the ball is scraped off. No sealing from the paper.

If the entire cartridge is inserted in the chamber, the paper acts as a cup for the powder and the ball and unless a wad is inserted in the paper cup, there is no wad. Paper and lead are scraped off. One hopes when the entire cartridge is loaded and there is paper between the cap and the powder that the cap produces enough flame to burn through the paper and ignite the powder.

 

[Lippy984]

OP ... the paper is not a sealing product. Simply a container for a neat powder, ball and lube.

Container is the paper tube

Powder charge is 20 grains 3F for 36 cal, 30 grains foe 44 cal.

And having dipped the ball end in melted lube down aprox 1/8th below the ball on the paper provides lube that does not burn off when the neighboring chambers are lit off.

The paper cartridges are just a way to speed up range time loading. If added time to the loading process for making the cartridges ... you will find that these paper cartridges actually have added MORE time to the loading process.

Overall lose powder n balls with either over ball lube or under ball wads are faster and cleaner then making and using cartridges.

Some of the videos I watch, that’s what I was thinking