Container for wads

[JohnN]

What do you use to put wads in ? Would like to see or hear about things that are HC.

 

[zimmerstutzen]

I am not so sure that wads are HC. I have heard alot of stories about shotgunners using hornet's and paper wasps nests, paper, or even short lengths of dried corn cob. As for cap and ball revolvers, Colt's instructions advised not to use wads.

The first advertisements for shotgun wads in catalogs and papers appeared about the same time as breech loading shotguns. While muzzle loading shotguns enjoyed a long overlapping use with breech loaders, if we are talking the true pre civil war period, I am not so sure pre cut wads were used. Although, I believe it was Ely Brothers that got started around 1820 making small wire shot cages for shot gunners. The cage held the shot in a capsule until fired. Not terribly successful.

 

[George]

There are many references to wads in the 18th century, most don't give details. In 1767, T. Page did.

"FRIENDLY
And what sort of wadding do you best approve of? I have heard some say that tow is best, others, cards stamped to fit the size of the bore.

AIMWELL
Tow, I think, is uncertain. If cards be used, the end of your rammer must be almost as broad as your barrel will admit of, to go down free, and quite flat at the end, to prevent the card from turning; and must be push'd down gradually, to give time for the air to pass, otherwise it will be troublesome. This is therefore not the quickest way. Old hat may be used in the same manner, which is rather better: and some say leather shreds are best. "

In 1789 Cleator wrote:

“The wadding to which we allude is made of the cloth called Fearnought or Shepherds Cloth (which is generally known), and punched by the same instrument as formerly mentioned for hat wadding;"

and:

"The only difference was that, in the first set of experiments the wadding consisted of card-paper, and in the second of hat, both cut to fit the caliber."

Spence

 

[Dickydalton]

Tuna cans or moist cat food cans with a plastic airtight lid available at Wally. Not historically correct at all! :blah:

 

[tenngun]

Backwoods tin and copper offers tin and copper hc tubes and boxes including a long" patch tube. Most ml houses offer some small tins. While our modem wads arnt hc you can keep them in an hc box, and I bet no one will comment. .... I like tow and picked wool my self. It's easer to load then modern wads.

 

[BrownBear]

I'm a leather worker, so I made a little box (6 oz leather) about 20% bigger than an average deck of cards and just deep enough for my fiber wads on edge. Flap top on the box.

I find any kind of "container" a PITA in the field if you're loading in any kind of hurry. Solved that by sewing and extra strip of leather along the top edge of the back front, forming a shallow "pocket" all along the top edge of the bag, covered by the bag flap when it's down. Both my fiber wads and cards go in there side by side where they're a snap to grab for loading- no retrieving, opening, closing and stowing of was containers. I just refill it as needed in quiet moments between shooting sessions.

Pretty darned handy all around. Dunno if it's HC or not, but anyone who cares is obviously standing too close and putting his nose where it doesn't belong. :wink:

 

[Stumpkiller]

I use blackened Altoids tins.

Fixins for 12 shots.

 

[Dewey]

Several of us use Ted Cash tobacco or tinder boxes.

'Course, Stumpkiller's solution is a lot cheaper !

 

[Brokennock]

+1 on the altoids type tins. Specialty Bottle has them with no logo or stamping, in many sizes and with both hinged or non-hinged lids for rectangular containers, and friction fit or screw top for round. Lots of other good stuff there too.

 

[JohnN]

Should have mentioned that I was talking about wads for muzzle loading smoothbore such as a Fusil de chasse. I have a brass container but find it slow to use. I sometimes use wads punched out of scrap wool, dipped in hot wax. Once saw them put on a string ?

 

[Marc Adamchek]

Small pipe tobacco tins blackened by fire are great. You don't have to worry about the HC question regarding hinges. Also, blackening metal in the fire produces some cool colors at times from the paint in the tins. Same idea as the Altoids tins, but a bit more eclectic. I'm a big snob when it comes to burnt stuff.

But I would NEVER step on Stumpkiller's toes. He undoubtedly has not only the coolest DIY setups around, his whole being exudes a certain correctness in the approach to living blackpowder cool.

 

[AZbpBurner]

Ziplock Baggies. My wads came in a big plastic bag, so it's appropriate to repack them into smaller plastic bags for field use. They hold enough wads, overpowder and over shot cards for a days' worth of shooting.

 

[MSW]

I'm a leather worker, so I made a little box (6 oz leather) about 20% bigger than an average deck of cards and just deep enough for my fiber wads on edge. Flap top on the box.

I find any kind of "container" a PITA in the field if you're loading in any kind of hurry. Solved that by sewing and extra strip of leather along the top edge of the back front, forming a shallow "pocket" all along the top edge of the bag, covered by the bag flap when it's down. Both my fiber wads and cards go in there side by side where they're a snap to grab for loading- no retrieving, opening, closing and stowing of was containers. I just refill it as needed in quiet moments between shooting sessions.

Pretty darned handy all around. Dunno if it's HC or not, but anyone who cares is obviously standing too close and putting his nose where it doesn't belong. :wink:

well, I'm sleep deprived. that's my excuse, and I'm sticking to it.

having said that, I can't quite build a mental image of your gadget. is there any way you could post a photo?

thanks!

 

[BrownBear]

...is there any way you could post a photo?

This gives you a good look at the inside:



Closed view, along with my shot flask with attached English measure.

 

[larryp]

When I made my shooting bag for my trade gun I put 2 3"x4" pockets along the inside top of the bag just for my wads. They're shallow enough to reach in to the bottom and get any of the wads or cards out without having to look. I keep 1/4" lubed, wool felt wads in one and thin overshot cards in the other. I don't use a cushion wad. If I did I'd just add another pocket to the bag.

 

[MSW]

thanks! now I get it :hatsoff:

 

[PaulTBarton]

I use Altoids tins. I scrub the paint off, hammer the lid from the inside to dome it, mostly remove the brand name. I have piles of them filled with various patches for various rifles & pistols. Besides they fit into my shooting bags easily.

BartSr :applause: