Question for all the shot cup users

[Kev308]

Do you use any kind of buffer between powder and shot cup? I have some made up to try out, I wasn’t sure if they just sat on top of the powder charge.
Thanks,
Kevin

 

[Felonious]

I occasionally use shot cups, and I use a thin, cardboard, over powder card underneath of the cup. I've also had good results using a quarter inch nitro card.

 

[PathfinderNC]

I used the plastic ones and they are fine. I just slid the empty cup down the barrel with the thin end on my ramrod down onto the powder, without using a powder wad between (*gasp*). Then dumped in my shot and wadding (paper) over it. Got good results.

 

[WALT53]

I use paper shot cups that I make and so far in my testing I have found the same measure for powder full of cornmeal on top then shot cup of shot and a thin card or wasp nest to hold it in .

 

[TreeMan]

I use the plastic slit cups. I’ve used thin cards under the cup but I will get some of that stringy melted plastic in my bore. I now use a ball of TOW under the cup. Works perfect and no melted plastic.

 

[Brokennock]

https://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/threads/premade-shot-cups-cartridges-how-to.113216/
I load powder, thin card, lubed wad (either felt or lubed tow) paper cartridge (tearing/cutting the top off once inserted into the muzzle and shot is flush with muzzle), then one or two thin cards on top to hold it in.
I build the whole load at the muzzle after pouring powder so I don't need to cut slither notches or poke holes in my cards or wads.......


Geez,,, writing all that was like deja vous all.over again

 

[IanH]

I don't make it that hard. Dump a measure of powder. Dump half a measure of yellow cornmeal. Dump a measure of shot. Fold a small piece of target paper, small ball of green grass, chunk of wasp nest, green leaves, whatever is handy and stuff it in the muzzle. Ram home. Prime the pan and shoot.

Alternately I make a complete paper cartridge with the same load column and a paper partition between powder and meal so the tail can be torn off and the loose powder poured in the muzzle without losing the cornmeal and shot after it. Wad the tail and ram the shot/ buffer cartridge on top of the powder. Either way wirks about the same but the cartridge is much quicker to load.

 

[Brokennock]

How does one carry loose cornmeal while out and about for a day's hunting? And, keep it dry yet accessible (the stuff is more hydroscopic than the black powder everyone seems to worry about). I already dislike carrying and working with loose shot in bulk while hunting (thus the paper cartridges, or premeasured cane tubes), I really don't want to mess with cornmeal every shot too.

 

[WALT53]

How does one carry loose cornmeal while out and about for a day's hunting? And, keep it dry yet accessible (the stuff is more hydroscopic than the black powder everyone seems to worry about). I already dislike carrying and working with loose shot in bulk while hunting (thus the paper cartridges, or premeasured cane tubes), I really don't want to mess with cornmeal every shot too.

You keep it dry in a water proof leather type bullet bag .

 

[Phil Coffins]

Remington RXP wads load easy and nothing else but the over card. Gun cleans easily too.

 

[IanH]

How does one carry loose cornmeal while out and about for a day's hunting? And, keep it dry yet accessible (the stuff is more hydroscopic than the black powder everyone seems to worry about). I already dislike carrying and working with loose shot in bulk while hunting (thus the paper cartridges, or premeasured cane tubes), I really don't want to mess with cornmeal every shot too.

You don't. You make paper cartridges for that. Cottage cheese containers work for the trap range.

https://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/threads/paper-shot-cartridge-tutorial.168298/

 

[Rob M.]

60 gr. 2F , hornets nest ( or green grass ) , shot cup , ( twisted shut bottom. , open top ). Hornets nest or green grass on top .... Get them tree rats !!!

 

[Kev308]

How does one carry loose cornmeal while out and about for a day's hunting? And, keep it dry yet accessible (the stuff is more hydroscopic than the black powder everyone seems to worry about). I already dislike carrying and working with loose shot in bulk while hunting (thus the paper cartridges, or premeasured cane tubes), I really don't want to mess with cornmeal every shot too.

I use paper tube for the cornmeal. Powder is from my horn, then I tear open the paper tube of cornmeal pour it in then the shot(again from a paper tube) the my over card. Did not want to mess with it loose in the field
Kevin

 

[ColonialRifleSmith]

I use a NITRO card to seal the gasses from the shot cup.

 

[PathfinderNC]

How does one carry loose cornmeal while out and about for a day's hunting? And, keep it dry yet accessible (the stuff is more hydroscopic than the black powder everyone seems to worry about). I already dislike carrying and working with loose shot in bulk while hunting (thus the paper cartridges, or premeasured cane tubes), I really don't want to mess with cornmeal every shot too.

I have used small plastic vials (with the stopper). One for powder, one for cornmeal and the third for shot. Some paper in the pouch or pocket for wadding.

 

[Marplot]

A