My paper cartridge jig

[ernbar]

The simple dowel method that I recently tried works but decided to take it up several notches and wanted a more uniform look for the cartridges.
I went to Big Lots and found a 3 brush set with tapered thick smooth plastic handles that are perfect to use for the mandrills. Then stopped at Harbor Freight Tools next door and picked up a tapering reamer. My neighbor gave me a scrap 2x2 wood piece. Did some measuring, more experimenting and came up with a loading jig for my Dragoon. Today I loaded up 40 paper cartridges of 38 grains of Schuetzen BP in my stump killer nitrated coffee filters, topped with a Hornady .454 round ball. Now I will do the same for .36 Navy and .44 for my 58 Remington and 60 Army. Total cost for all three is a TINY fraction of what a single commercially made caliber set costs and woks really well. This will be great for those on a tight budget and still produce some nice uniform cartridges.

 

[ohio ramrod]

Interesting. Tell us more about how you use it.

 

[ernbar]

Interesting. Tell us more about how you use it.

I experimented with the paper size and shape till I got it to fit. I found it easier to leave a small tab at the bottom end, apply some glue and fold over then insert the dowel into the block to lock things. I then remove the dowel and use a light push from the bottom side of the block to remove the tube that is set aside to dry. To load insert the tube back in the block, add your charge, take a round ball using tweezers and add a little glue around where it will contact the paper, drop it in the tube and press the ball to compress the cartridge, use the dowel on the bottom of the block to push out the cartridges then roll the edges on the ball with your fingers and it’s done.

 

[ernbar]

Here’s my completed set. I couldn’t use the plastic handle for the .36 cause it was too thick so I used a wood dowel turned to the proper taper. I can vary the tube size for different grain loads.

 

[ohio ramrod]

That makes it a lot easier to understand.

 

[BlazingIron]

I shoot patched (cloth) round ball and Minie’s out of my rifles. Anyone leave off the boolit and just use the paper cartridges for pre-measured powder charges? I figure its easier than measuring each shot, allows for consistent loads and circumvents the possibility of blowing your powder horn up by accident while still remaining in the spirit of PC/HC. Thoughts?

 

[ernbar]

I shoot patched round ball and Minie’s, Anyone leave off the boolit and just use the paper cartridges for pre-measured powder charges?

Been thinking of doing that too.

 

[BlazingIron]

I’m gonna build a similar jig for both calibers and see where it leads.

 

[User_Dan]

Test tubes or centrifuge tubes with powder measured at home make a great range experience