Paper Patch?

[nate c]

Anyone tried paper patching Minies? I am about to start casting Lee 390gr'ers for a 50 cal traditions 1:48

I was reading one of Fadala's books last night and he mentioned that ocassionally Minies are enough undersized that 2 layers of paper (cigarette rolling?) around the bullet in place of lube can sometimes give good results.

Thanks in Advance -

 

[SCATTERSHOT]

I have paper patched bulets for the 45/70 with good results, and paper patched a few Minies for the experience, but I haven't found a Minie small enough (in relation to the bore) to accommodate the patching material. Let us know how you come out.

Luck!

 

[musketman]

Here is a good artical on paper patching a bullet...

http://members.shaw.ca/bobschewe/

 

[nate c]

Thanks for the replies - I plan to do a 100 round "break in" with PRBs @ 60gr FFFG before doing any serious Minie tests. With a new bbl I believe the lands to still be fairly sharp.

Ultimately I'll try to compare Minie with Bore Butter vs Mini with Paper that has been trimmed to fit vs Mini with Paper than has been 'tucked' into the skirt cavity.

This labwork is half the fun for me.

 

[rabjr]

I use .0011 paper on a few differant bullets for one of my rifles with good results. :thumbsup:

 

[silverfox]

I may be at a loss here but I thought that even a paper patch needed lube of some kind. The only ones I've seen were lubed with whale oil, or mink oil but all have had some lube. I would think plain paper would burn off or stick without something. Your paper patched minie may well give better accuracy but lube it.
Fox :thumbsup:

 

[rabjr]

I use bear oil on mine. I have also used bore butter in the past.

 

[nate c]

Yes, will definitely need to find some type of lube for the paper.

The article linked above mentions a mix of candle wax and vaseline.

I would assume that the lube used with paper would need to be more of a liquid form in order to saturate the paper vs the kinds of lubes we might use to fill grease grooves.

 

[Zonie]

I have used 50% Vasoline and 50% beeswax on my Schuetzens PP bullets.
This is a very stiff mixture and I've found that it is best not to apply it until right before shoving the bullet down the bore.

I have found (at least with my gun)that if the paper is lubed and allowed to sit for an hour or so before loading, the paper will swell up making it a interference fit in the bore. This swelling plus the softening of the paper results in it tearing.

 

[nate c]

I had not thought of the paper absorbing volume over time... This would make a paper patch for hunting solution a bit tricky.

More to experiment and test I guess. Thanks again to everyone for the informative feedback.