Back in the early 70's we could get cardboard tubes with red end caps to use as pre-measured charges for the muskets. Stoppered with a minie ball they were a very convenient way to reload. Anybody seen these lately?
Question for .58 minie ball shooters
- Thread starter Tom A Hawk
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I've not seen the cardboard versions in years. But there are plastic ones available. They are a mainstay for NSSA shooters. Most of the vendors who cater to Civil War Live Fire folks will carry .58, .54 and .69 versions.
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Details, please.
Found some plastic ones. Thanks.
I made these 'speed loaders' for my 61' Springfield. Take a 20 ga. hull, heat and remove Brass, drill out primer pocket hole in hull, make wood dowel rammer (cushion end), load mini and powder, replace Brass over trimmed end.
Cheers,
R
Cheers,
R
Sorry, I thought paper cartridges were immediately recognizable. My bad.
Here are some videos.
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Yes, they are, and I make them for my .58cal Musketoon. I just wanted the details, which you have now thoughtfully provided. Thank you.
This is what I use. It's a 3 inch rubber thread protector. The inside diameter is .530 inches. I put the powder in the tube. To keep the lubricant from contaminating the powder, I use a piece of plastic shopping bag to wrap around the lubricated bullet and insert in the open end of the tube.
The only disadvantage is that you have to put the thread protector back in your cartridge box or pocket along with picking up the plastic wrapped around the bullet after your shooting session.
The nice thing about these tubes is that they are water-proof. I also spend more time shooting than wrapping paper around bullets and tying knots in strings.
To speed things up, I put the powder in the tube, then I take the entire shopping bag and place it over the open end. Then I push the lubricated bullet (base first) on the plastic bag into the open end of the tube. Then I take a pair of scissors and cut the bag like you would cut a patch for a round ball at the muzzle.
The reason I insert the bullet base first is cause it is filled with lubricant and I don't want it drying out or picking up dirt.
Here is the link to the company I bought these from years ago. http://www.argonusa.com/color_coded_vinyl_caps.php
The thread protector that I got from the list is:
VC535-3000BL M14 Black 0.535˝ 0.635” 3˝ 500 $90.00 $77.00 NOTE: They list the color as black now. Be advised that it's the same tube as below but only it isn't red. If you use lighter loads, you can order shorter tubes. This is a 70 grain charge with a 500 grain bullet. The next shorter size in 1 1/2 inch long. That might be a tight fit for a 70 grain charge.
Go to the contact page in the above link to place a phone call for your order.
I got about 500 of these thread protectors years ago and they have served me well. I also got smaller tubes to use for pre-measured loads for cap and ball revolvers.
The only disadvantage is that you have to put the thread protector back in your cartridge box or pocket along with picking up the plastic wrapped around the bullet after your shooting session.
The nice thing about these tubes is that they are water-proof. I also spend more time shooting than wrapping paper around bullets and tying knots in strings.
To speed things up, I put the powder in the tube, then I take the entire shopping bag and place it over the open end. Then I push the lubricated bullet (base first) on the plastic bag into the open end of the tube. Then I take a pair of scissors and cut the bag like you would cut a patch for a round ball at the muzzle.
The reason I insert the bullet base first is cause it is filled with lubricant and I don't want it drying out or picking up dirt.
Here is the link to the company I bought these from years ago. http://www.argonusa.com/color_coded_vinyl_caps.php
The thread protector that I got from the list is:
VC535-3000BL M14 Black 0.535˝ 0.635” 3˝ 500 $90.00 $77.00 NOTE: They list the color as black now. Be advised that it's the same tube as below but only it isn't red. If you use lighter loads, you can order shorter tubes. This is a 70 grain charge with a 500 grain bullet. The next shorter size in 1 1/2 inch long. That might be a tight fit for a 70 grain charge.
Go to the contact page in the above link to place a phone call for your order.
I got about 500 of these thread protectors years ago and they have served me well. I also got smaller tubes to use for pre-measured loads for cap and ball revolvers.
Rat
50 Cal.
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Making a paper tube that just holds the powder charge is much less labor intensive that full-blown paper cartridges that include the bullet, and were issued back in the day. And they are very speedy to use. Just use two small pouches on the belt, one for the paper powder cartridges, the other for the balls/bullets. If you are not in a fire-danger zone, you can even just poke the paper down the bore after pouring the powder in, and ram it down along with the bullet. It will be consumed on firing. I've done this quite a bit, and only twice has the rifle thrown any smoldering paper out. So it can happen, but rarely does. Anyhow, just a thought.
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I make 1861 Pattern cartridges with 3M Masking Paper and use "finger weight" thread for the ties and Elmer paste sticks for the glue. Very easy, and authentic. Some people don't use glue but it is specified in the Ordnance manual.
For a greater variety of tubes and better pricing go to McMaster Carr. https://www.mcmaster.com/plastic-caps
Search under round caps, then flexible vinyl push on caps.
Ron
Search under round caps, then flexible vinyl push on caps.
Ron
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Where does one buy the plastic ones. I don't want the soft neoprene...
Check with the sutlers in the main N-SSA website.
