Using wads under ball/bullet.

[Patocazador]

I have been using a thin 1/16" thick card on top of the powder in my pistols to protect the powder from the bullet/patch lubricant. My accuracy seems to have decreased since doing this.

Please give me a heads up on the pros and cons of using a wad between powder and bullet.

 

[TinStar]

My 20 ga. trade gun showed a big improvement using a 1/8 Durafelt wad over the powder before the patched round ball. Lubed with the same lube as the patch.

TinStar
Soli Deo Gloria!

 

[FishDFly]

I have been using a thin 1/16" thick card on top of the powder in my pistols to protect the powder from the bullet/patch lubricant. My accuracy seems to have decreased since doing this.

Please give me a heads up on the pros and cons of using a wad between powder and bullet.

You will get any answer that you wish to hear, from a waste of time to the greatest thing in the world on using cards.

Kind of like asking, what is the best patch lubricant or the best bore protector.

The best is what the particular person responding is using at the time.

I do not see Master Class shooters using them on the line in major matches. Must be a reason.

If you have to protect the patch from the powder, you have the wrong patch thickness or lubricant, do you not, or there is a problem with the barrel?

If it were not for the internet, how many folks would be chasing wads and cards trying to solve poor accuracy instead of working on consistency in loading?

 

[crockett]

I haven't heard about using card board wads/disks in a pistol. Get some pre-lubed felt wonder wads and if you like them stay with them or save some money making your own. Felt wads don't adversersely impact accuracy.

 

[Rifleman1776]

a waste of time to the greatest thing in the world

That is the correct answer. :grin: :wink:

In more than 45 years of ml'ing I had never heard of using wads under a prb until reading on this forum that some do it.
For those who do it and like the procedure, I say good for them. Do yer own thang.
For the 99.9999% of ml'ers who do not use wads I believe I speak for them when I rhetorically ask: Why bother?
Don't forget, I did say, if you like it, do it.

 

[Billnpatti]

It is possible and likely that the card may turn sideways in the bore and not lay flat on top of the powder. If it is not laying flat on top of the powder, there is not much telling what effect it could have on the ball/bullet. I recommend that you get some hard 1/8 inch felt from Duro-Felt and then get a punch from Ohio Ramrod (on this forum). His punches are custom made and remarkably reasonable in price (about $10, I think). A felt wad is less likely to turn sidewise in the bore and more likely to sit flat on top of the powder charge. If you want to use some lube on the felt, it is easily lubed by spreading your lube of choice on the felt sheet like buttering toast. Then put it into the microwave for a few seconds to melt the lube into the felt. Then punch out the lubed wads and store them in a ziplock bag.

 

[Rod Lassey]

In more than 45 years of ml'ing I had never heard of using wads under a prb until reading on this forum that some do it.

The idea is a little older than that, the first I heard about it was Sam Fadala advocating putting wasp's nest down between the powder and ball---that was 30 years ago. I believe Fred Stutzenburger [sp.?] wrote an article on using corn meal or grits for the same purpose in Muzzleloader Mag some time ago as well.


"My accuracy seems to have decreased since doing this."

I think it depends on your rifle, the thickness of your patch, and how tight you want the ball to load. I've tried it, I've got one rifle that likes something between the powder & ball, one that's indifferent, and one that prefers without. If it's affecting your accuracy--as you mentioned, then it's the wrong thing to do. However, it doesn't hurt to try and find out.

Rod

 

[Krag]

I've had both a TC Hawkin 54 percussion and a hand made Isaac Haines reproduction in 54 cal. Fired both with and without a wonderlube type of patch between the ball and the charge. Chronograph showed an increase of 100fps with the patch and totally different points of impact with both guns. So I'm sticking with the patch!

 

[George T.]

It makes me wonder why I had never thought about the impact change. In my case I will decide not to use them.

I wonder in a thicker patch with your load would yield the 100 FPS your not getting now?

Geo. T.

 

[Billnpatti]

He is using these patches in his pistol. I think you must have overlooked that when you said:

"If you have to protect the patch from the powder, you have the wrong patch thickness or lubricant"

Or maybe I overlooked the possibility that he is shooting a single shot pistol. :idunno:

In a revolver, the wads are to protect from having chain fires. they are just a less messy way of dong it rather than using grease over the ball. I know he is using it to protect his powder from exposure to lubricant and I don't really understand that......what lubricant? Normally, the ball in a revolver is unlubricated. Anyway, I like to use "dry" (lightly) lubricated wads over my powder in my revolver.

If he is shooting a single shot pistol, I just made an unnecessary correction If that's the case then you're right and I'm wrong, 'scuse me. :hatsoff:

 

[Vaino]

W/ a flintlock, there's enough "stuff" that one has to haul around....why add another unnecessary complication?......Fred

 

[crockett]

For what it is worth, I read that putting a wad over the powder and before the prb could improve accuracy. I tried it and no difference for me. The only thing I think it may do is push some fouling down on top of the powder and make ramming the prb easier. After trying it out I discontinued its use, but as others have said, every gun is unique, it may help in some situations.

 

[Patocazador]

You are correct. I use these in the pistol cylinder between the CONICAL, LUBRICATED bullet to do two things (maybe): 1) keep the loose powder in place while placing and seating the bullets correctly and 2) to protect the powder from possible contamination from the bullet lubricant which is Lyman Black Powder Gold applied to the sides, grooves of the bullets.
The thin cards are used to still allow for ample powder charges with the relatively long 255 gr. cast flat-nose conicals.

I apologize for any confusion caused by the OP.

 

[Rifleman1776]

Sam Fadala advocating

When Fadala began writing about things ml 30+ years ago he had zip knowledge on the subject. He simply repeated a lot myths, nonsense and notions that had been floating around long before he came on the scene. But, he was (still is) a well known gun writer and people clung to his every word like they were ml gospel. I believe he has learned a thing or three over time but, for me, his credibility is nada for things ml.

 

[Rod Lassey]

Sam Fadala advocating

When Fadala began writing about things ml 30+ years ago he had zip knowledge on the subject. He simply repeated a lot myths, nonsense and notions that had been floating around long before he came on the scene. But, he was (still is) a well known gun writer and people clung to his every word like they were ml gospel. I believe he has learned a thing or three over time but, for me, his credibility is nada for things ml.

Yep, he had some 'interesting' ideas, that's for sure :wink: Way back when I bought my first muzzleloader, a well used CVA Colonial pistol, I picked up a couple of those Black Powder Handbooks that seemed popular at the time. I believe one was by George Nonte, the other by Fadala. Fascinating reading for a wide-eyed highschool freshman. I'm pretty sure I've still got them around somewhere....


Rod

 

[nkbj]

Egg cartons and a hole punch. The material is a little spongy to absorb melted lube to act as a grease cookie when one is wanted. It's pliable enough to form a seal. Conforms to the rifling.
:thumbsup: