Over powder card under a prb.

[mike54]

I read on here that some are using a over powder card under the patched ball but cant seem to find the topic when i search for it.
What size card is being used for a .54 cal, i would like to try it and also if anyone can tell me the benefits from it and how to use it.
Thank You
Mike

 

[BrownBear]

...benefits from it....

I tried it in several guns, and for me at least there was a dividing line. When I already had the right patch/lube combo, there was no benifit- just one more step in the loading process. When I had issues with burnt patches and so-so accuracy because my patch/lube combo was out of whack, it helped. My solution was to go to work on my patch/lube combo and get that right, then quit fiddling with the card.

I was using .560 (28 gauge) lubed felt wads, since I couldn't find any specifically for 54 caliber at the time. Seems to work just fine, so I stopped the search for .540 or .550.

 

[Billnpatti]

The whole purpose of an overpowder wad or card is to improve the seal. Improving the seal results in more consistent muzzle velocities and, consequently, better accuracy. However, if you develop a good tight patch/ball combo with a good lube, it will give you the good seal that you need you won't need the OP wads or cards.

 

[mike54]

Thank You. I,m not having any issues so i will pass on the cards.

 

[ohio ramrod]

I use a leather over powder wad. If you are curious if it will help just try using a few shooting patches wadded up as an over powder wad. If it helps then you can go about getting some wads. I like leather wads about .025 to .035 over land size. :idunno: :idunno:

 

[Howie1968]

I bought 2 sizes the first is for .50 cal oxyoke wonder wads part #5000 and for my .54 it says for .54 .58 and 28 guage the part number on that is oxyoke felt wonder wads #5400

 

[zimmerstutzen]

An over powder card is bore diameter. When the round ball is pushed down against it and compressed into the powder, it curves to match the curve of the ball. when it curves it becomes too small to seal the bore.

Geometrically, it simply makes no sense. However, a thick felt wad even though deformed to fit the curve of the ball, might still have enough around the bore circumference to seal the bore. ie. Don't waste yer money on card wads for rifles.

the calculation is simple. a 50 caliber ball has a circumference of approximately 1.57 inches. To seal up against half of that, a card wad would have to be half of that or .785 inches. since the card wad is only .5, when compressed against the ball, it will leave a ring around the edge of the ball circumference that is not sealed.

 

[Eric Krewson]

I shoot a lubed wool Wonder wad under my patched .54 ball. My gun cracks louder and my groups are better with the Wonder wad.

I tried the same arrangement in a .45 Bill large barrel and my wonderful groups with just a patched ball opened up considerably.

I guess the results are different gun to gun for a card or wad under the ball.

 

[Donny]

An over powder card is bore diameter. When the round ball is pushed down against it and compressed into the powder, it curves to match the curve of the ball. when it curves it becomes too small to seal the bore.


.

Just a thought..wouldn't detonation of the charge force any curvature back to somewhat straight ? ?

 

[Brokennock]

I use one during hunting season to separate my lubed patch, or lubed wad depending on the gun, from my nice dry powder.

 

[zimmerstutzen]

Actually, the pressure of powder burning would push the card up against the curvature of the ball.

 

[M. De Land]

I think you would be better off with about five grains of Cream of Wheat under the ball in lieu of a card wad because the card wad bends around the ball base, pulls away from the bore wall and doesn't really seal much of anything.
The Cream of Wheat will form around the ball base when seated and still be flat against the powder and maintain contact with the bore wall under the pressure of firing , sealing the gas off.

 

[cynthialee]

I always use over powder cards or wads. Tightens up my groups. Can't argue with success. I'll stick with using them.

 

[curator]

Mike54,

The advantage of using an over-powder wad under a PRB or other projectile is that you can often use a "easy-to'load" combination with a wad and get much better accuracy than without it. No question a proper "tight-fitting" patch and ball combination will give the best accuracy but this is often difficult to accomplish with the "issue" ramrod in the field. A tight-fitting patch and ball combination works great at the gun-range loading bench. When hunting with round ball rifles I use either slightly oversize 3/16" hard felt wads or a half-measure of cream of wheat under my easy to load patch and ball combination. I get excellent accuracy and a satisfying "crack." I do take the time to work up these loads prior to hunting season and get the sights properly adjusted for them. My "target loads" (no wads) are tight enough to require a rubber mallet, ball set and short starter to get them started after my hand goes numb. No way I want to do this afield.

 

[Spikebuck]

I tried it in several guns, and for me at least there was a dividing line. When I already had the right patch/lube combo, there was no benifit- just one more step in the loading process. When I had issues with burnt patches and so-so accuracy because my patch/lube combo was out of whack, it helped. My solution was to go to work on my patch/lube combo and get that right, then quit fiddling with the card.

A couple of years ago I was working up a load in my .62 Jaeger and it was taking much longer than any other gun I ever had. Upon some advice, I tried a wad under the patched ball and viola! groups shrunk and I even had some 5-shot ragged holes at 75 yards (bench rested). I proudly posted a pic here and someone had the audacity to ask why the heck I was adding an unneeded component into the load chain when all I really needed to do was find the proper ball/patch/lube/charge combo.

At first I was a bit miffed :cursing: ...after all, I had worked for a long time to finally get this gun to shoot a great group. Then, after I thought more about it, I went back to work and shortly thereafter found a ball/patch/lube/charge combo that produced the same great results with NO wad or other added component. :hmm:

To each his/her own, but that experience showed me that added components are probably not necessary.

 

[will5a1]

Over powder wads tighten groups in several of my rifles, and I've devoted enough of my time trying to work up loads with and without them that I am convinced of their utility.

 

[cynthialee]

I shoot to be good enough to hunt. I am not trying to find the best combo ever. If I can put it in the kill zone, I am golden.

 

[azmntman]

I expect a 4" group at 90 yds, if my .45 calibers an up cant do it it is for sale. Selling a few soon, course may be my eyes :shocked2: and if so will have to reduce the yds down to 75?

I sure miss having a bedtime, thats all I wanted as a kid, be old enough to not have a bedtime, they didnt tell me bout aches n pains n blurry vision n such :shake:

 

[zimmerstutzen]

There are felt wads, cushion wads, over powder cards and over shot cards. The question was about over powder cards. Let's not mix apples and oranges.

In my match shooting, I tried all kinds of gimmicks and gadgets. Always came back to plain spit patch and ball for best results. A thin bore size card simply will not seal the bore or reduce blow by. A thick wad such as a cushion wad or thick felt was might help seal the bore. Whether it helps accuacy, may be no better than a rabbits foot. As long as somebody believes it helps, it will.

 

[Leatherbark]

I shoot a lubed wool Wonder wad under my patched .54 ball. My gun cracks louder and my groups are better with the Wonder wad.

I tried the same arrangement in a .45 Bill large barrel and my wonderful groups with just a patched ball opened up considerably.

I guess the results are different gun to gun for a card or wad under the ball.

Same here for me. Some rifles it helps and some it makes the groups worse

Bob