Felt Wads for Six Gun

[Juice Jaws]

I have use felt wads for years in my 1860 .36 cal six gun. I have always put the wad over the powder then seated the ball. A friend told me he read some where that you could pour powder, seat the ball, then seat the wad over the ball. Has anyone done or heard of this?
juice jaws

 

[mykeal]

I have use felt wads for years in my 1860 .36 cal six gun. I have always put the wad over the powder then seated the ball. A friend told me he read some where that you could pour powder, seat the ball, then seat the wad over the ball. Has anyone done or heard of this?
juice jaws

Yes, one could certainly do it that way. I see no advantage. In fact, I think (but don't have any evidence to prove) that loading the wad on top of the ball defeats the purpose of lubing the wad; having it between the ball and the powder (I believe) is what results in lubing the barrel and softening the fouling; the wad is compressed between the powder concussion wave and the ball forcing the lub to liquify and swab the barrel on the way out. Putting it over the ball will not accomplish that as the wad will not be compressed. I think.

 

[Zonie]

Putting the wad over the ball also would create a condition where the wads in the chambers adjacent to the one being fired might get blown out.
While this would probably not cause any problem, it would make the adjacent loaded chamber the same as one that didn't have any lube or protection from the powder flash and could result in a chain-fire.

zonie

 

[Dave Rosenthal]

Using wonder-wads over the seated balls causes nothing but problems...SO DON'T DO IT!! Zonie is right, sometimes the wads jump out of the cylinder during recoil. Then they get themselves jammed-up in the forcing cone as the wheelgun cylinder turns to go back into battery! I know this first-hand because I had to take apart my Walker after I loaned it to a friend of mine who didn't understand the proper use of the wonder-wads! This friend wanted to shoot and I thought that they already knew how to use a revolver as they are longer in the league than I, but alas, I was wrong! Nothing really bad happened, just a chore that didn't need to take place during a match, that's all.

Remember the golden rule: Powder, Patch, Ball! Just like with the long guns!!

Keep your powder dry and your wads lubed!

Dave

 

[Blizzard of '93]

I punch felts out of Duro-felt. after dumping powder into chamber I insert wad, place a small dab of lube atop then insert slug and press home. I have seen noticeable tighter group with felts.

 

[Juice Jaws]

Thanks smoking 50------ it didnt sound that great of idea to me. I have always put the wad over the powder and never had any problems. ( If it aint broke dont fix it.)