Making paper cartridges

[Eterry]

Thanks for all the great information here. I've been watching this thread with interest since I acquired a Pedersoli Brown Bess carbine earlier in the fall. I have yet to shoot it but thought shooting with paper cartridges might be easier on fingers for shooting in colder weather. I see both 69 calilber and .715 balls mentioned for use in the cartridges. Assuming both would work? All I have is .735 balls. Any reason to not use the green automotive masking paper instead of brown paper for cartridges? Just asking because I have a huge roll of the green stuff.

I remember a few years ago this subject came up. It was decided the pages from a cheap romance novel would be perfect for smoothbore cartridges and about the right size. And the best use I can think of for a Harlequin novel!!

Hit up any garage sale and their a dime a piece.

 

[Some_Mook]

I remember a few years ago this subject came up. It was decided the pages from a cheap romance novel would be perfect for smoothbore cartridges and about the right size. And the best use I can think of for a Harlequin novel!!

Hit up any garage sale and their a dime a piece.

BAM!
Now I have the perfect reason to convince SWMBO that I should be allowed to expand into smoothbore muskets! "Hey Honey, can I have all of your books after you are finished reading them?"

 

[Billy-by-gosh]

Sorry I'm late to the party, Gus.
I saw a guy mount his electric hand drill in a vise. Then chucked a short starter rod in it. Then turned on the drill, using the set button to keep it whirling.
Then he went forth with sandpaper and in short order had the dow rod to desired diameter.
I hope this helps someone.

Yes, I've done that many times! And, if you need to work down a longer dowel, just clamp down 1 or 2 wooden Vee-blocks on your table (lube those with a dry soap bar), then chuck the rod in your drill, lock the power button, and use light even pressure to evenly sand the surface.(Remember to keep the abrasive moving along the length for even wood removal)

 

[Timber Wolf]

Yes, I've done that many times! And, if you need to work down a longer dowel, just clamp down 1 or 2 wooden Vee-blocks on your table (lube those with a dry soap bar), then chuck the rod in your drill, lock the power button, and use light even pressure to evenly sand the surface.(Remember to keep the abrasive moving along the length for even wood removal)

You have a hand drill with a 5/8” chuck?

 

[Billy-by-gosh]

You have a hand drill with a 5/8” chuck?

T W - you bring up a good point which I neglected to mention. I center-mark the end of my 5/8" dowel THEN center-drill for a #8 or #10 screw. Install said screw, cut off its head LEAVING ABOUT A HALF-INCH (13mm). Now I can chuck the protruding shaft into the drill and twirl away for wood removal. When work is completed, either remove the screw with pliers or cut off the end of dowel. Hope this helps clarify!

 

[maillemaker]

Another thing is you can build up an under-sized dowel with tape.

 

[rotag84]

Made some paper cartridges from news print and Elmers glue. Just wanted to give it a try and they worked fine. Curious though, is there a method or need to incorporate a lubed patch or will the paper itself suffice as wading? Is there less accuracy using paper vs. a lubed patch? This is for rifled bores in both percussion and flint lock.

 

[maillemaker]

Paper cartridges for rifles did not really come about until the advent of the Expanding Ball bullet. With cartridges like the British Enfield cartridge, the bullet end of the cartridge was dipped in lube (100% beeswax is what they ultimately settled on). This would soak into and coat the paper. The powder was poured out of the cartridge into the muzzle, then the cartridge was inverted and the bullet end of the cartridge inserted into the muzzle. Once the bullet was completely in the muzzle the rest of the cartridge tube was snapped off. This left a lubricated, paper-patched bullet in the bore, which was then rammed home with the ramrod. This kind of cartridge was the ultimate in evolution of the military muzzle loading ammunition.

It sounds like you are trying to make a round ball cartridge designed for smoothbore guns and use it in a rifle. I don't think that is going to work well for you.

 

[Stantheman86]

Made some paper cartridges from news print and Elmers glue. Just wanted to give it a try and they worked fine. Curious though, is there a method or need to incorporate a lubed patch or will the paper itself suffice as wading? Is there less accuracy using paper vs. a lubed patch? This is for rifled bores in both percussion and flint lock.

If you're trying to use the paper as a "patch" accuracy will probably be marginal

The Mississippi rifles did use a patched round ball cartridge with the ball sewn into an oiled patch

You could probably just make an "1863 Pattern " cartridge and just put the ball and the patch under it in the paper instead of a Minie to make a "somewhat historical " cartridge

Allegedly the Minutemen in the Revolution made paper cartridges for their long rifles but I don't know how true or common that was

 

[PathfinderNC]

The Brown Bess used a .69" diameter ball, so the mandrel should be .69" also.

This is a good video!

 

[PathfinderNC]

3/4 inch dowel rod, cotton string, and masking paper. .715 ball 100 grains of powder.

He used a .690 round ball to make the Brown Bess cartridge.

 

[Clark Badgett]

I want to attempt to make some paper cartridges for the Brown Bess. What size forming rod should I use for .69 ball? The one kit online comes with a 3/4” dowel but I keep reading that you’re supposed to use one the same size as the ball you’re using. Any info would be great.

Your forming dowel should be at or just slightly over ball size..

 

[Grenadier1758]

And once wrapped around a ball, the diameter of the cartridge should be under the bore diameter. The paper used as wadding will hold the ball securely in place.

 

[fistmil]

I Made paper cartridges following this same video for my 20 gage trade gun. I used .570 balls and 80 grains 2f powder. Off hand at 30 yards. I think it worked pretty good