Over-powder wad - oversize or to bore?

[JHSA-President]

Hi all - In getting a wad for sitting over powder for my .50 cal, should I get a .50 cal wad or a .54?

 

[FishDFly]

.50.

 

[Rock Home Isle]

.50...and if you goto amazon and buy a 1/2" Arch Punch, you can make your own.

 

[UndeadPoet]

Depending on the application, I seem to recall that Idaholewis recommended the next caliber up, so it was slightly oversized and kept the gasses from going around the charge. YRMV

 

[hanshi]

I never used a wad alone in a rifle, rather a wad under the patched ball. I punch my own and use a .50 in a .50 caliber.

 

[Bad Karma]

I’ve been using oversized wads in everything. Better seal certainly, and much better protection for the base of the bullet. It’s not like they’re difficult to get started in the bore or anything (well ok, the 45 into a 40 barrel can be challenging) but a 54 wad slips easily into a 50 caliber bore so there’s really no downside to the oversized wad.

 

[mustanger]

I made my own punches out of tool steel and hardened them and regularly use a .50 cal wad in a .50 cal rifle. I use a .45 cal wad in my revolvers and they all seal very well The treated wad (beeswax and tallow mixed) will swell out and seal. I've shot hundreds of them and they have always served as I expected. The dies I make are used in a drill motor and I cut them with the drilling action. Works better than punching.

 

[Nor'Easter]

I think you need to try both. In my rifles I've been satisfied with bore size wads. In my smooth bore I never felt comfortable the bore size wads would stay in place while hunting, so now I use 24ga wads in a .56 cal bore. On a side note the 28ga/.54cal Wonder Wads measured just over .562"+ and a .562 hand cast RB is a friction fit in the smoothbore. IIRC 28ga = .54cal and 24ga = .58cal, approximately. YMMV

 

[Nor'Easter]

I just went and measured the 24ga Wonder Wads and they measure ,610", so I'd say the factory wads are oversized already. I also checked my references and 24ga bore is about .579"-.580".

 

[Idaho Ron]

I have been using oversized wads since 2007. For a 50 I use .620" wads. True 1/2" wads didn't shoot as well with my paper patched bullets.

 

[LST-1185]

Oversized. For 50 caliber use a 54 size wad.

 

[ohio ramrod]

I use leather over powder wads, punched .025 to .030 over the land to land measurement. As a retired tool and die maker I have no problem making punches to punch exact sizes.

 

[Trooper]

So what sized wad would be best for a 45 cal bore? Trying to locate a 45 cal wad cutter in these parts is next to impossible could I use an oversized .50 cal. wad instead?

 

[garypl]

So what sized wad would be best for a 45 cal bore? Trying to locate a 45 cal wad cutter in these parts is next to impossible could I use an oversized .50 cal. wad instead?

Buy Osborne punches on ebay in metric sizes - I use 12 mm (.472") punch for .45 cal, 13mm (.512") for .50 cal, and 14mm (.551") for .54 cal. They all fit snug and are easy to start in the barrel. You can always go up one size if you prefer.

 

[mustanger]

Buy Osborne punches on ebay in metric sizes - I use 12 mm (.472") punch for .45 cal, 13mm (.512") for .50 cal, and 14mm (.551") for .54 cal. They all fit snug and are easy to start in the barrel. You can always go up one size if you prefer.

Or, you could make your own wad cutter. Drill a hole in the end of some tool steel round stock, grind a cutting edge on the stock, grind the side out above the cutting edge, then cut the punch to the length you desire and heat treat the cutting part. It will work better than anything you can buy.

 

[garypl]

Or, you could make your own wad cutter. Drill a hole in the end of some tool steel round stock, grind a cutting edge on the stock, grind the side out above the cutting edge, then cut the punch to the length you desire and heat treat the cutting part. It will work better than anything you can buy.

good idea but beyond the capabilities of many people plus my time is more valuable than $15 I spend on a punch

 

[snakebit]

I use 50 cal in my White Mountain carbine, I only shoot conical bullets from her. Can't say it makes a difference one way or another.

 

[Bad Karma]

So what sized wad would be best for a 45 cal bore? Trying to locate a 45 cal wad cutter in these parts is next to impossible could I use an oversized .50 cal. wad instead?

Yes, or just use the Walters Wads from buffalo arms company. .463”x.030” vegetable fiber. Very easily used, protects the base of the bullet. If using wool wads I use 50 caliber in 45s. 54 in 50. Etc.

 

[oldramrod]

I make my over powder wads out of leather .025 to .030 over actual bore size.

 

[William Sublette]

I ended up with a bunch of cards, and fiber wads.

Does anyone use these types in ML shotguns, or smooth bores?