Non-Wad Wads (per Stumpkiller)

[musketman]

Stumpkiller suggested:

Brings up another interesting topic - non "wad" wads.

So, what OTHER wad material can be used and how do you use it?

 

[Stumpkiller]

As I mentioned on that other:

Tow

Shredded pieces of a paper wasp nest (made from mud & wasp-spit. Naturally inflammable).

Wad-dever works for you. Should be enough to cushion the shot, and non-burning is a good idea.

I believe wool/felt wads were commonly used, too.

 

[musketman]

Paper, rolled up green leaves and buckskin have been used as well...

 

[madstone]

Yesterday's rag, or local paper is used lots by "primitives". The ML's of 200/100 years ago were, like those of today, in that the economic position determine a lot of their "usage". Anything cheap and "handy". Ingenuity kicks in. When some used fancy "cut" cd board or felt wadding others used wasp and hornets' nests. Some linen vs leather. Wonder what aluminum foil would do? :m2c:

 

[Stumpkiller]

Oh yeah. Celotex fiberboard. Before I discovered Circle Fly I used to punch wads out with a sharpened piece of copper tubing.

 

[gordy]

I've had good luck with the hornets nest material!I also use it with heavy loads in my rifles under the patch.Never had it keep burning on leaveing the bore,turns a little brown is all. :: :results:

 

[robinghewitt]

According to V M Starr you only need a card under the shot. The shot obturates instantly so you just need a gas seal and a card is enough. I've tried it and it works. OTOH, the wad is a way to introduce a bit of wet to keep the fouling under control
:m2c:

 

[Dave K]

That is why I use my Celotex cushions cut to 1/4" thick and lubed. I could probably even cut them thinner and still get lube down the barrel. The thinner the cushion, the quicker the wad falls out of the shot string and gives better patterns. IMHO.I had all kinds of holed patterns when I used the cushions the full 1/2" thick. Last time I spent time patterning, I used olive oil for a lube instead of vegetable oil. I think I like the olive oil better.

 

[madstone]

Squire,
I bow, in a symbolic fashion, to your obvious experince. The over-powder wad has an entirely different fuction than over-shot wad.
The under seals the gasses, cushions the shot, etc. while the overshot just "stays out of the way". Next is a bore-cushion to keep the shot from abrading on the cyl walls???

 

[robinghewitt]

I bow, in a symbolic fashion, to your obvious experince. The over-powder wad has an entirely different fuction than over-shot wad.

Don't want to do that, I answered the wrong question

Round balls don't obturate.

Ooops

Sorry

 

[Musketeer]

I've had good luck w/ plain old cardboard. I cut them the same way as Stumpy cuts his Celotex (copper tubing). :thumbsup:

P.S. Squire Robin, I'm still waiting for those free black English flints you were gonna send me. What the @#%$?!!! :crackup: :crackup: :crackup: :thumbsup:

 

[Ohio Rusty]

I've heard that you could use hornet's nest material for cushion wadding also. I've never tried it, but last year in pre-winter I collected 5 huge hornets nests and they are in the garage gathering dust waiting for some use. Since the hornets nest is built in papery layers, how would you use the material? Would you just rip a chunk and stuff it down bore against the overpowder card, or would you peel it layer by layer and fold up the layer into a small ball to push down the barrel? There is also inside the numerous papery combs that the larvae hatched in. They are now empty of course. Is this comb usable, or is that discarded and only the outer wall that makes the big round nest the material you use for wadding?
Ohio Rusty

 

I have used the wasp nest allot especially for my hunting loads in my rifle.
A while back we found out an interesting thing shooting through a chronograph at the range. If we added a chunk of wasp nest before a patched round ball our muzzle velocities climbed almost 150- 200 fps with out changing powder load. This held true in the 45, 50 and 54 we tested

 

The "out-side" part works best, for 20ga. tear off 2 hunk's bout 1/4 in. thick,-sometimes ya gotta fold it- size of a 50cent piece. one for over powder one for over shot.use the SMALL end if ya got a flared end ram-rod, or it might get STUCK down bore :curse: It aint the best BUT it works when your outta them nice pre-cut wads.. :results:

 

The best over shot wad money can buy is FREE. Use any foam materail as in an egg carton, meat packaging, foam 'paper' plates, coffee cup bottoms, etc. They can be cut oversized and still hold the shot firmly. Never had a double barrel, but it works fine in the single T.C. 12 bore.
These foam wads make a dandy cushion wad on top of the over powder wad.

 

[Keith]

Does the celotex, coffe cup or any of the other foams wads melt and leave a residue?

 

[Dave K]

I know I said Celotex, but it is the fiber type. I do soak mine in olive oil or vegetable oil, and then allow them to drain. I have never had a problem with them coming apart. Store them in a zip lock bag that goes in my hunting coat when I hunt.I have shot probably 1000's of them.

 

[musketman]

What keeps the hornets from stinging you whan you rip chunks of their nest off?

 

LOL
if there are hornets still using the nest I usually let them have it and take a look at their neighbors to see if its been abandoned.
For some reason hornets just dont seem to be to friendly when you rip a chunk off their nest while they are using it lol

 

[Stumpkiller]

Timing.

To every thing there is a season. Wasp nest gathering is best undertaken in the winter when they're at Disneyworld.