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Was the paper of a paper cartridge used as a wad? Was it used before the ball or on top of it?
Musket loading
- Thread starter Captndan
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@Captndan, A properly wrapped paper cartridge will paper around the ball. The excess paper that held the powder is used as a wad between the powder and the still wrapped ball. At least that's the way I load my cartridges. Note: Since I am not in a line of battle, I do not prime from the cartridge. I have a separate priming flask or use powder from a blank cartridge as I prepare to fire.
Just stuff it down the barrel with the ball on top and ram it home.
Note: if this proves to be too tight, you can 1) use a smaller ball; 2) use lighter-weight paper; 3) modify your template for fewer wraps; 4) use lighter string to tie off.
Note: if this proves to be too tight, you can 1) use a smaller ball; 2) use lighter-weight paper; 3) modify your template for fewer wraps; 4) use lighter string to tie off.
It really depends on what kind of musket you are talking about, this is the percussion rifle section so you may mean Civil War era rifle muskets? If that is the case then no, the paper was discarded and the minie ball was loaded bare.
Good catch. Yes, makes a diff whether it's a smoothbore musket or a rifle musket shooting a grooved & lubed conical bullet. Then just dump the powder charge down the bore, discard the paper, push the Minie ball down into the bore, and ram it home, and you're good to shoot. Minie balls need no wadding.
kh54
45 Cal.
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This is what I’ve gathered from a lot of reading but I don’t pretend to be an expert:
The English Pritchett ball in a paper cartridge (three wraps of paper instead of two as in the U.S. made Burton/Minié paper cartridge) for the P1853 Enfield was paper patched and was very accurate. Look for videos by Brett Gibbons aka PaperCartridges.
I seem to recall reading that after experimenting with the English cartridge the U.S. military opted for cheaper manufacturing and (maybe?) faster loading/faster firing, although I believe that proponents of the English cartridge and Pritchett ball would argue that loading is just as fast or faster than the U.S. cartridge. I believe that some also say the paper patched Pritchett ball is more accurate. I understand that after Gettysburg numerous English P1853 cartridges (used, i.e. paper wrappings only or unfired I don’t recall) were found on the battlefield, imported by the CSA.
Experts please correct me if I’m wrong.
The English Pritchett ball in a paper cartridge (three wraps of paper instead of two as in the U.S. made Burton/Minié paper cartridge) for the P1853 Enfield was paper patched and was very accurate. Look for videos by Brett Gibbons aka PaperCartridges.
I seem to recall reading that after experimenting with the English cartridge the U.S. military opted for cheaper manufacturing and (maybe?) faster loading/faster firing, although I believe that proponents of the English cartridge and Pritchett ball would argue that loading is just as fast or faster than the U.S. cartridge. I believe that some also say the paper patched Pritchett ball is more accurate. I understand that after Gettysburg numerous English P1853 cartridges (used, i.e. paper wrappings only or unfired I don’t recall) were found on the battlefield, imported by the CSA.
Experts please correct me if I’m wrong.
