Going Green

[Walkabout]

Did some experimenting with green leaves as wadding in my smoothy. Worked pretty well, hit everything I pointed at. Anyone else use natural materials like that? I was shooting shot btw.

 

[Mousegunguy]

I like to use wasp nest.
I collect them every winter while I’m up on the roof cleaning the chimney

 

[Rató:rats]

For sure
Dandelion leaves, grass rolled into bore size spheres, green sycamore leaves, wild plantain leaves. Free and readily available till the snow comes

 

[user 49399]

I use wasp nest sometimes but prefer raw, unwashed sheep’s wool. I’ve used green leaves too and they work fine.

 

[MountainSmoke]

I'm with ya, I only use materials found in the woods as wadding for my flintlock smoothbore trade gun. Many times I don't even bring any wadding material with me so my first job when I set out is to find some. Adds another element of satisfaction to the hunt for me. The possibilities are endless, striped maple leaves are one of my favorites as is wild grape leaves but nearly any green leaves will work as long as they are soft and don't break when you fold them, thinner softer ones seem to work best. The inner bark shredded from wild grape vines as well as tulip poplar, eastern red cedar and basswood make excellent wadding also. Various grasses and weeds work well. You probably lose a little fps when going natural and the pattern will usually not be as good as if using cards and such but for me that doesn't matter. Get that squirrel within 20 yards, 15 even better and it's squirrel for dinner almost every time. I'm sure it was the same back then. I never know what I will be ramming down my barrel on a given day, and that's the way I like it. Keeps things interesting. Ah,the beauty of the smoothbore!

 

[user 48702]

I've used wasp nest, and am now tinkering with kudzu leaves. The kudzu leaves when dry have about the same consistency as wasp nest and balls up nicely with not much fracturing when dry, kind of reminds me of tobacco leaves with a leathery texture. Around here, it grows everywhere except where sprayed with herbicide, or in pastures where it is consumed by cattle and horses as soon as it breaches the fence line. This stuff grows 12" to 18" per day and the leaves are about 5" inches in diameter.

 

[SOLANCO]

I've used wasp nest, and am now tinkering with kudzu leaves. The kudzu leaves when dry have about the same consistency as wasp nest and balls up nicely with not much fracturing when dry, kind of reminds me of tobacco leaves with a leathery texture. Around here, it grows everywhere except where sprayed with herbicide, or in pastures where it is consumed by cattle and horses as soon as it breaches the fence line. This stuff grows 12" to 18" per day and the leaves are about 5" inches in diameter.View attachment 160903

Glad the d----d stuff has some use!

 

[Rock Home Isle]

Did some experimenting with green leaves as wadding in my smoothy. Worked pretty well, hit everything I pointed at. Anyone else use natural materials like that? I was shooting shot btw.

I’ve used natural materials in shooting my smoothbores…but mostly because I ran out of supplies while hunting; never as a planned activity.

 

[woodsnwater]

Great thread. I've got to get me a smooth bore.

 

[Britsmoothy]

I have used leaves. They work well.

 

[bushytail]

I used wasp/bees nest material before in my trade gun. You need to experiment with how much nest stuff you put in between powder and shot. Also over shot. 1st time I tried it, I didn’t put enough in between powder and shot. It felt like a dud when I shot. No recoil and not loud like it normally sounds.

 

[Walkingeagle]

Years ago I shot a few sporting clays with my .54 GM barreled percussion rifle barrel. Never missed a one. Green leaves and 7.5 shot.
A couple years ago my girlfriend shot grouse in the foothills of the Rockies using her .50 percussion rifle barrel and .54 wads. Also 7.5 shot. Worked just fine.
My 20g smoothbore barrel I just use raw wool.
Walk

 

[Hussar64]

I've used "dewy" green grass as wadding for shot. Worked just peachy. However, I'd not leave it in the gun for any extended period of time...
-Hussar

 

[nhmoose]

I do not play with wasp's nests nor hornet nests till after the first hard frost. Learned 40 years ago while brush hogging, they can outrun a Bolen's 30HP diesel tractor at high speed. OW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Rock Home Isle]

I've used "dewy" green grass as wadding for shot. Worked just peachy. However, I'd not leave it in the gun for any extended period of time...
-Hussar

I was actually very surprised to find out how well this worked.

A couple, late summer, cottonwood leaves also work very well.