Homemade lubed felt wads

[VEARL]

Just got thru making a few wads. They are made from 1/4 thick x 1/2 dia. felt. Lubed them with some old lube from Dixie Gun Works that I have had around here for years.
Shot a few the other day, in my Lyman GPR 50 cal. rifle. Load was 80 gr. of BP with wad over powder. Patched .490 RB sitting atop wad. Nice groups at 75 yards.
I can make these at home a lot cheaper than buying them retail.

 

[hoochiepapa]

Was there a noticeable improvement in groupings? I read somewhere recently that the wads should be one bore size larger. I've got my .32 and am going to try .36 cal. wads in it to see if there's any change.
Where did you get your punch? Drill press or hammer?
:redface: :redface: :surrender: I just reread your previous post on this, my bad.

 

[VEARL]

It is a hammer type. Got it on EBAY.
I read the same post about it being one bore size larger. Couldn't find one that would cut out a .540 wad. found 3/4 inch ones everywhere.
Recovered some that I shot. There was markings of the rifling on the edge where they were in contact.
The groups were the same as when I used a dry patch on top of the powder before I loaded the patched round ball.
All in all, I like the wads due to the fact that they are pre-made and ready to use.

 

[hanshi]

I've punched out hundreds of felt wads for various longrifles. I don't know if using the next caliber size is necessary; but I do prefer them to be at least groove size. Example: wads for my .40 run .475 diameter.

 

[VEARL]

I fired some yesterday. The wads proved just as good as my OP cloth wad. They did fill the grooves. The 250 gr. LEE REAL BULLET gave me a decent group at 75 yds. all in the black 6 inche target right next to the bullseye. Think I will keep that combo.
Might even try some in my Lyman GPR and see how they do in it. :thumbsup:

 

[plateshooter]

I use 20 gauge felt wads from BPI in my 54 Renegade. One dip in melted Wonder Lube, then squeezed out and left to re-harden on a plastic bag. They work great in my rifle with the Lee REALs. I got my best groups ever at 100 yards with PRB using them over the powder.

 

[VEARL]

I'm a believer in lubed OP wads. They did help me to shrink my groups. Plus that first shot is no longer a flyer or disappearing act. It is dead-on out of the barrel.

 

[majg1234]

I use them in all my ML flinters and cappers alike,I have noticed tighter groupng and less deviations in velocity on my chronograph.I even recently started using them with a PRB in my fowler and notice the groups shrunk a good bit.however not enough for me to take a shot at a nice 8pnt last week at over 80+yds with my fowler :nono: :cursing: Boy was I wishing for my rifle that PM.But I'll get him later....I hope

 

[Marc Adamchek]

Boy oh boy, I feel like the odd man out! I've only used wads in my smoothbores, never in my rifles. I wasn't even aware that you could alter the accuracy/group size by using them in a rifled bore, or if I was then my old addled brain plum forgot!

Learn something new every time I spend time at this site, and that's the truth.

 

[Greenjoytj]

I use .58 cal felt wads from TOTW in my .54 cal GPR, note the one size larger wad size.
They work great I haven't used any lube on them (yet), I do have some TOTW mink oil to try eventually.

 

[majg1234]

mine are made with a hole saw and drill press,lubed with beeswax and olive oil melted on a hotplate. Then set aside to dry and placed in tins according to caliber. my patches are made the same way too .I can make several @ a time and now have a fairly good stockpile of them set aside

 

[watopeka]

where do you find the felt

 

[Swtodd]

www.durofelt.com/products.html. , still haven't figured out how to post links on an i-pad.

steve

 

[longrifle346]

I sacrificed an old thick felt hat for most of mine!

I use over-sized felt OP wads in every rifle I own. Lubed/unlubed doesn't seem to make a difference but I've seen my groups tighten enough to know it helps in all of'em....

 

[Supercracker]

www.durofelt.com/products.html. ,

steve

:thumbsup: x2 for durofelt. I just received a sheet from them. Good quick service. Leaving for IN for a week in the morning. Can't wait to start experimenting with it when I get back.

 

[plateshooter]

X3 for Durofelt. I had Ohio Ramrod make a couple wad punches for me, ordered felt from Durafelt and am now in a felt wad rich environment.
I am still amazed how taking one extra step using the felt OP wads improved my accuracy results with both of my rifles.

 

[Supercracker]

I was just going to be using it in my shotgun. I use a leather wad in my rifle around 1/8" thick.

 

[majg1234]

I have two kinds, duofelt that someone gave me and some old felt left from a laminate honey-do flooring job,the felt from the flooring doesn't melt or fowl the barrel so I assume it was wool,or my homemade beeswax olive oil stuff is good to prevent it :idunno:

 

[nkbj]

I'm still using gasket punched egg cartons soaked in LOOB (Lanolin, Olive Oil & Beeswax).

 

[Marc Adamchek]

OK, guys - Ya got me all psyched up to get some felt from durofelt. I hit the website addy and get the site; about 18 thousand types of felt offerings in little blue letters on the left side.

Please please I'm begging you - What felt type/category do you pick from that list?