My patterns when wadding with tow stink!

[MountainSmoke]

@MountainSmoke

Search this site for the SkyChief load if you need tighter patterns for longer distance squirrels. It really does work well.

edit- if you try the folded paper, you will need a slightly larger piece for 12 guage, The 1x2" worked well for 20's. I use 1 1/8"x 2 1/4" or 1 1/4"x 2 1/2"" for 12 guage.

Thanks. I was wondering what size I would need for a 12 gauge. I have tried the skychief load and it does work. I am really interested in trying to get a good pattern with tow and other types of "loose" wadding that can be found locally. Thanks for your help

 

[MountainSmoke]

Without getting into the weeds too much, for those using over powder tow, is it a good wad twisted up or a modest wad simply rammed in? I’m wondering if packing and amount make a difference.

I try to get it as tight as I can going down the barrel. I roll a ball between my hands and compress it as much as I can. Usually it's about one and a half times the size of the bore. Then I center it over the bore and ram it down.

 

[rich pierce]

Thanks! That seems it would be solid enough to prevent most gas blowing through the shot column. I think that is job #1 of the over powder wadding. And if it fails, then shot will scatter variably depending on where the blow through happens.

 

[NorthFork]

@rich pierce

The folded paper wad @George references solves the blow by issue. Whatever small amount of blow by that still occurs is largely sealed by the lubed tow under the shot but over the paper. The lubed tow on top of the paper also acts as a cushion for the shot column. The lubed tow on top acts as a 'stopper' to keep everything tight on the powder. This system works sooooooooo well for me, I use it exclusively for all shot shooting except for the SkyChief load for tighter patterns at longer distances. The paper I use is from grocery sacks and the tow is from sisal rope I buy on the cheap and cut and unwind. Extremely cheap to use unlike real flax tow. Everything from rabbits to clays to squirrels to doves to ducks to geese and everything in between can be shot successfully with these two loading techniques using the proper sized shot.

 

[Newtire]

Use a hard .135 wad over powder, shot and then a split .135 on top but will have to give the paper bag a try now. Good even patterns!

 

[MountainSmoke]

@rich pierce

The folded paper wad @George references solves the blow by issue. Whatever small amount of blow by that still occurs is largely sealed by the lubed tow under the shot but over the paper. The lubed tow on top of the paper also acts as a cushion for the shot column. The lubed tow on top acts as a 'stopper' to keep everything tight on the powder. This system works sooooooooo well for me, I use it exclusively for all shot shooting except for the SkyChief load for tighter patterns at longer distances. The paper I use is from grocery sacks and the tow is from sisal rope I buy on the cheap and cut and unwind. Extremely cheap to use unlike real flax tow. Everything from rabbits to clays to squirrels to doves to ducks to geese and everything in between can be shot successfully with these two loading techniques using the proper sized shot.

Thank you for all of the useful info. I especially am looking forward to trying the sisal string wadding that you mention.

 

[bpd303]

I make paper or felt shot cups for tight patterns.
https://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/threads/does-any-one-make-paper-shot-cups.106740/

 

[Boston Bill]

What is tow and TOTW?

 

[NorthFork]

@Boston Bill

TOTW is short for the vendor Track Of The Wolf.
Tow is the fibers of the flax plant. However it is expensive and quite a few folks have found good alternatives. I myself use sisal. Some use manila, others use hemp. The sisal, hemp, and manila fibers can be easily and cheaply found in natural rope. Buy a few feet of it, cut into roughly 4" to 6" lengths, unwind and separate the fibers.

 

[Griz44Mag]

Try searching for Townsends - they carry several types of fiber including hemp and flax.
It's pretty neat stuff but carry a few water bottles with you - packing with fiber will leave a few smoking wads on the ground unless you pre-treat them. I use hemp fiber with my Hakenbusche - (see avatar!)

 

[toot]

@Boston Bill

TOTW is short for the vendor Track Of The Wolf.
Tow is the fibers of the flax plant. However it is expensive and quite a few folks have found good alternatives. I myself use sisal. Some use manila, others use hemp. The sisal, hemp, and manila fibers can be easily and cheaply found in natural rope. Buy a few feet of it, cut into roughly 4" to 6" lengths, unwind and separate the fibers.

that is a rely good way of answering the question, and with alternatives to use.

 

[toot]

Here are some of my results using only tow OP and OS. They have worked well for squirrels. I used 70 gr. 2F and equal volume of #6 shot in my 20 gauge flintlock cylinder bore.

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I thought the loads were low velocity and power so I started adding a folded brown paper, as used in the day, as an overpowder wad. That improved the velocity/power and retained the pattern out to 25 yards.
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Penetration is good.
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Spence

I don't think that a CRITTER is going to get by that pattern?

 

[toot]

From Thomas Page, 1767, "The Art of Shooting Flying":
"But I cannot yet find any thing better, or so ready as thin brown paper rubbed soft, and cut into pieces about one inch broad and two inches long; so that when it is once doubled, it is an inch square. I punch a small hole at the corner of each piece, put a sufficient quantity upon a key-ring, hang them into my button hole, and tear off one as I want it. This being doubled, put it into to the muzzle, and close the corners up about the rammer (the end of which ought to continue of the same bigness for at least half an inch, or rather somewhat smaller just at the end) and thrust the paper thus put into the barrel gently down upon the powder. Your rammer will come back without danger of drawing the paper back, and will leave it closed against the sides of the barrel like a half cartridge. Put in another in the same manner after the shot. When your gun is quite clean, it is necessary to put in a second wad after the shot, to prevent its getting loose."
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I cary them on a clip I made so I can just pull them off as needed. Page was using a 20-gauge, as I am, so I make mine 1" x 2" as he recommended.
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Spence

the DUELIST 1954, MIKE BELEVIEW. has a site that expanded on your use of them on the shooting of them . check it out. and thank you for posting it. I am for one going to do it because my state outlawed the use of plastic shopping bags, not good for the environment, now we get brown KRAFT paper bags. win, win.