paper patching bullets

[M. De Land]

The bullet is flat base and I also use a fiber or plastic wad over the powder. I have found the best loading method came from Fleener - put the powder and wad down all of the way on a dirty barrel, then a damp cleaning patch and dry patch so the bullet goes down on a fairly clean barrel.

Thank you so much for the pictures and very informative reply!

 

[Bad Karma]

@cannonball1 I’m right there with you. 75 years old and I’ve been really fortunate to have great vision all my life. Went in for a check up and the Doc says I’ve got cataracts starting… im not thrilled about the prospect of someone mucking around with my eyes.

 

[Erwan]

@cannonball1 I’m right there with you. 75 years old and I’ve been really fortunate to have great vision all my life. Went in for a check up and the Doc says I’ve got cataracts starting… im not thrilled about the prospect of someone mucking around with my eyes.

Yep, I'm largely younger than you (little kid of only 74 and 265 Pounds), the cataracts is advanced, but it's forbidden to touch my eyes, NO WAY!!!
OK, this afternoon it was a bit difficult with the Pennsylvania rifle at 50 yards and open sight, but the time I'll stay alive nobody'll touch my eyes : no plastic inside...

​

 

[Grenadier1758]

@cannonball1 I’m right there with you. 75 years old and I’ve been really fortunate to have great vision all my life. Went in for a check up and the Doc says I’ve got cataracts starting… im not thrilled about the prospect of someone mucking around with my eyes.

Yep, I'm largely younger than you (little kid of only 74 and 265 Pounds), the cataracts is advanced, but it's forbidden to touch my eyes, NO WAY!!!
OK, this afternoon it was a bit difficult with the Pennsylvania rifle at 50 yards and open sight, but the time I'll stay alive nobody'll touch my eyes : no plastic inside...

​

I had cataracts and had them replaced. I opted for the more expensive full focus replacement lenses. Now I can see my sights clearly and the target. I wasn't thrilled about having my eyes worked on, but now I can read, see the computer screen and distance. If you have a good eye surgeon, the results are well worth over coming the fear of the operation.

 

[SmokepoleSam]

I also had my eyes done and am sorry I didn't get the full treatment. I find it a pain carrying reading glasses I used to wear glasses from the time I got up in the morning for over 60 years. Erwan I felt like you but I was getting worse and worse. It is a very simple operation, the worst part is putting the drops in the eyes for a month after. Good luck with whatever you decide.
Discuss it with your eye surgeon to help alleviate your fears.

 

[cannonball1]

I am going to get the cataracts removed next year and I know BlackHillsBob has done the Chase Method with success, but I would really like to see an expert shoot with 20/20. Please go shoot the single wrap bullets and report back to the forum your results. I think there should be someone out there just itching to try it.

 

[Erwan]

I had cataracts and had them replaced. I opted for the more expensive full focus replacement lenses. Now I can see my sights clearly and the target. I wasn't thrilled about having my eyes worked on, but now I can read, see the computer screen and distance. If you have a good eye surgeon, the results are well worth over coming the fear of the operation.

Hi, Grenadier,
I understand what you mean, glad to know that this is a good convenience for you.
I am not afraid of it, but I WON'T have plastic in my eyes, with a genius surgeon of eyes or not, that is a personal conviction. Never any kind of plastic in my eyes : cataracts are a privilege of age, like the pain in my legs or other place.
OK, I'm living with four pairs of glasses, that's right, but after all what I have suffered over the years in illness and hospitals, this is just a small thing and when I'm tired of it I just say : "Go with, you're not twenty anymore, man"...

 

[pamtnman]

Paper patch bullets were standard for sporting arms and military weapons across Europe from at least 1820-1900. I shoot them in 1880s-1890s British hunting rifles. The Charles Lancaster and Alexander Henry rifling systems especially required paper patch. Paper patches gave way to “metal patched” bullets with copper covering the lead. Pretty much any kind of paper will work, and some paper types are better. Lots of people use standard printer paper. Erasable typewriter paper works best for me, because my patches are wrapped twice wet. Then dried on for a really tight fit that unravels at the muzzle.

 

[cannonball1]

The Chase Method is a single wrap and I know that there are some shooters out there that use this system, but not many. I would like to hear from some "newbies" who will try this single wrap system. I think, if done right, would really be surprised how it would improve their group of paper patching.

 

[Kno-ie]

Cannonball 1,
I'm currently testing the single wrap, chase method with a Volunteer rifle. To date I'm finding some good results, but it comes with a learning curve.
My first outing turned into a disaster. Second time out things eased.
I'm using lined note book paper. Wetting the end around the base for a tight tuck, then sizing for a ironing effect of the paper. The bullet is a 410 grn slick as it drops from the mold. The over powder wad is a greased cork wad on the powder with a thin poster card wad on top of it followed by the bullet. The poster card and bullet go down together ( a lesson learned ). Wiping between shots is done after the greased wad goes down.
This rifle has been trying to my temper so any time I can get 10rds on paper at 150yds ( paper plate ) I'm happy. This method has shown some potential.
Hope this helps in your research.
Kno-ie

 

[pamtnman]

Obviously smooth sided bullets handle paper patch better than grease grooved bullets. Whatever the particular ledger entry for the individual gun says is what I do. The British rifles usually took two full wraps of “prepared paper.”

 

[Bad Karma]

I had cataracts and had them replaced. I opted for the more expensive full focus replacement lenses. Now I can see my sights clearly and the target. I wasn't thrilled about having my eyes worked on, but now I can read, see the computer screen and distance. If you have a good eye surgeon, the results are well worth over coming the fear of the operation.

It’s beginning to bother me more. Dim light, workin on small parts in the shop, I guess I had better bite the bullet…

 

[Dusty Rhodes]

Hi all, I'm new here. A BP Australian tragic.
Just started playing with PP because my old .375 M/L, 1:16 twist, is starting to lead and I can't seem to stop it. PP has always been a bucket list thing but I need to try this now not later.
Interesting reading above thanks.
I have a non grease grooved bullet at .364" and I am wrapping twice with .002" Onion skin.
With the GG bullets I use 60.0gr of Swiss 1 1/2 and a .060" poly wad and wipe on top of the wad between shots.
Will I need to be perdantic about how I wipe for PP ? Will I need to use a Brush ? Any help appreciated.
Cheers all.

 

[pamtnman]

I have a lot of experience with paper patched bullets. Have you slugged your barrel, or in some other way know exactly the diameter of the bore?
The difference between the bullet and the bore dictates the thickness of the two wraps of paper. Might be.002”, .003”, .004” thick paper that is used to fill the gap. Aim to be .001-.002” over bore size.
Applying a wet patch allows it to dry on tight. Then lube it with whatever you use. Let that dry. Then you are ready

 

[Dusty Rhodes]

Pamtnman,
Yes I have slugged the bore, it's .368/.369 bore and .375 Groove. My wrapped bullets are coming out at .368 / .369 so hopefully they will load easily.
How do YOU wipe between shots for PP ?
This rifle shoots very clean with the Swiss powder and I've only ever needed one pass with a damp patch of Water / Cutting oil. Will I need to dry the bore or leave the oil film as I do with GG.
Cheers I.P.

 

[Wolfmanjack]

Hi all, I'm new here. A BP Australian tragic.
Just started playing with PP because my old .375 M/L, 1:16 twist, is starting to lead and I can't seem to stop it. PP has always been a bucket list thing but I need to try this now not later.
Interesting reading above thanks.
I have a non grease grooved bullet at .364" and I am wrapping twice with .002" Onion skin.
With the GG bullets I use 60.0gr of Swiss 1 1/2 and a .060" poly wad and wipe on top of the wad between shots.
Will I need to be perdantic about how I wipe for PP ? Will I need to use a Brush ? Any help appreciated.
Cheers all.

Yes be pedantic about your swabbing between shots. I use two damp patches followed by a dry patch. The hard black powder fouling is no good for the paper patch.

 

[nkbj]

And dat's da troot, man!
My 16" twist forty bore can be a royal pain to make ready for another loading.
Originally it was obtained as a hunting rifle which meant developing hunting loads, as in strong charges of powder which leave lots of fouling. Oh my goodness what a chore!

 

[Dusty Rhodes]

Ok, will do.
I'm going to load powder then a tight Poly wad. 2 x damp patches and a dry. Then a lubed Felt wad with card on the top side against the bullet then the dry bullet. If that gives me trouble, I'll go to a light oil on the P P.

 

[nkbj]

Say, about the Whitworth's, do they work with paper patched round bullets as well as they do with round lubed lead?

 

[Dusty Rhodes]

Ok, will do.
I'm going to load powder then a tight Poly wad. 2 x damp patches and a dry. Then a lubed Felt wad with card on the top side against the bullet then the dry bullet. If that gives me trouble, I'll go to a light oil on the P P.

This went well today, but need to improve my rolling. Those that went down the barrel easy shot better than any that were a bit tight.
Waiting on a .368" sizer just to help things a bit.