Paper Cartridges

[Old Ironsights]

I am repeating info from elsewhere - but this is too good to pass up. It's from '05, but I haven't seen it here.

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Paper Cartridges, step by step photos..

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Here is everything you need. FFFg Goex in the flask, 30 grain spout. French light rolling papers, though any will do. Some just work better than others. (All cig papers are already nitrated...)

Place ball in paper (sprue towards front) about 3/4th of the way down.

Roll paper around ball and MOISTEN where it touches ball.

Moisten entire front end of paper and twist shut gently.

Pour in powder.

Moisten the gum along the entire length of the paper. Gently press the paper together so it sticks. Overlap the end of the paper away from the ball a little bit so that the edge of the paper runs at an angle away from the ball. This will form the cartridge into a cone as you shake down the powder.

Grab the end of the paper away from the ball and shake gently to settle the powder. Moisten the entire length of the paper past the powder and begin to twist the paper closed. The powder will form the paper into a cone shape. Continue to twist and shake until the powder no longer moves. This must be done gently (so as not to tear the paper.)

This is what it should look like when you are done.

Clip the tails off, and you have a paper cartridge.

.45 ACP boxes are perfect for storage.

Drop right in a 58 Remington. Colts are kind of a pain though, due to the rear of the frame being thicker, and all around less clearance for loading.

Another folding option:

"For transport, I kept brass protection and use a 45ACP box.

I've stop twisting paper for the bottom (too many misfires) and now i fold the paper, just glued with saliva. Even if more fragile than twist, the 45brass prevent paper to tear.
Now, when i clean chamber i get a peace of paper with a clean hole in the bottom."

Now I just have to get this to work on my .50 ROA... :grin:

For the best price buy your rolling papers in bulk from an online store and avoid the funny looks while you're at it.

 

[Charley Hart]

Awesome pictures. Thanks for the detail!

I got into the paper cartridge phase about 5 years ago. Had too many hangfires. Did a different system then this so this might be better.

I decided that the time it took me to make the cartridges equaled or exceeded the time it took to load at the range the old school way. Ball wad/grease powder etc.

Also I decided if I wanted a cartridge I could just shoot one of my modern pistols.

But once again very cool and you got me thinking again!

 

[Wes/Tex]

Nice twist :haha: on an old problem. Have done the same using round and tapered dowels like the original Colt made rounds. Some have made then around a tapered dowel and pushing a small piece of nitrated onion-skin paper in the bottom to catch fire easier. All that aside, yours in a very interesting style.

 

[Blizzard of '93]

Neat twist! :applause: I know it ain't PC but when I'm woods trekking with my '58 I carry powder in 7.62X39 brass case with cork in for fast reloads, I carry 6 of them (28 grs.) and powder flask also to reload them, and of course lubed slugs and felt wads in pill bottles.

 

[Don]

Question, does the paper over the top of the ball come off when you load into the cylinder? I've done similar cartridges but I glued the paper around the middle of the ball then put powder behind the ball. Your way looks easier and if the paper over the top sheds than I'm inclined to try your meathod.

Don

 

[Bear Rider]

Nice article.

I do things a little differently. First, I make the cartridges on a tapered dowel. That makes them easier to load, and it causes the paper to split when the cartridge is rammed home, exposing the powder and giving more reliable ignition.

Second, I put the ball in the top of the paper only to just past the equator. After the cartridge is loaded, I dip the ball end of the cartridge into melted beeswax just below the equator. This securely bonds the ball to the cartridge and provides lube.

Finally, I package my cartridges in small squares of foil with a cylinder load's worth in each packet. This makes a surprisingly sturdy package that can simply be dropped in a field bag.

It's an easy thing to do, and gives me something to do keep my mind active while the family is watching the **** tube.