Tips on paper patching bullets

[F.G. Ford]

I have an IAB .54 cal. Sharps rifle and would like to try paper patched bullets.
In all my years of shooting I have never seriously tried this type of shooting.
The barrel is stamped .54 cal., a .535 ball or bullet slides out the bore, and is dangerous to shoot, as the bullet can slide part way down the bore before shooting.
So, I am here asking for help in proper method of paper patching.
What type of paper? Should I lube the paper prior wrapping the bullet?
The bullet I cast is a .535 hollow based minie type.
Forgot to mention the bore is .553"
Any help will be much appreciated.
Fred

 

[Larry Akers]

The Paper Jacket by Paul Matthews will answer all your questions. Available from Amazon.

 

[Bad Karma]

I have an IAB .54 cal. Sharps rifle and would like to try paper patched bullets.
In all my years of shooting I have never seriously tried this type of shooting.
The barrel is stamped .54 cal., a .535 ball or bullet slides out the bore, and is dangerous to shoot, as the bullet can slide part way down the bore before shooting.
So, I am here asking for help in proper method of paper patching.
What type of paper? Should I lube the paper prior wrapping the bullet?
The bullet I cast is a .535 hollow based minie type.
Any help will be much appreciated.
Fred

I would start with slugging the bore. You’ll need a bullet or ball oversize for the rifle pound it thru and then measure the results. Alternatively you can get a few pin gauges from Amazon for a few bucks and see which one just fits the bore. I prefer this method, it gives me a fairly accurate measurement of the bore size whether the rifling is even or odd number of lands and grooves. Patching can be as simple as a couple wraps of tracing paper wrapped dry loaded and fired. Or dampen the paper and wrap before running it through a sizing die. Many options. Our sister site modern muzzleloading, has a fairly active bunch of paper patchers. There are a few “sticky” threads describing the process in detail.

 

[Bad Karma]

Since you have the bullet, you probably only need find the proper thickness of paper. I think they have templates available in those sticky threads… some guys have success with a single wrap.

 

[F.G. Ford]

I have an IAB .54 cal. Sharps rifle and would like to try paper patched bullets.
In all my years of shooting I have never seriously tried this type of shooting.
The barrel is stamped .54 cal., a .535 ball or bullet slides out the bore, and is dangerous to shoot, as the bullet can slide part way down the bore before shooting.
So, I am here asking for help in proper method of paper patching.
What type of paper? Should I lube the paper prior wrapping the bullet?
The bullet I cast is a .535 hollow based minie type.
Forgot to mention the bore is .553"
Any help will be much appreciated.
Fred

Thank you for the information, it will get me started.
Fred

 

[Idaho Ron]

 

[F.G. Ford]

Thank you for the video!
Fred

 

[MichaelJCarpino]

I have used Lee .459-500-3r bullets as cast about .460 (20% tin ) in a IMA Martini which needs prob .468 inches. I wrapped regular weight computer printer paper twice around the base. Paper is easiest for me to put on dry. I tried wetting/greasing it but felt it was harder that way. I use light loads about 1000fps