Wad Material

[nightwolf1974]

Getting into smoothbore Fowlers next year.

How safe is it to use wool blanket material as wad material OVER a bare ball load in a smoothbore?

 

[TScottW99]

I’ve seen that used before to good effect. I use a wool wad as an overshot in my smoothbore.

 

[toot]

the guy on the site- DUELIST 1954, shows it being done with it!

 

[Rock Home Isle]

It works. I just worry about smoldering, so I use lube on the patching materials. Moose Milk mostly in spring, summer fall; in winter I use a mixture of beeswax and lambs tallow.

But yeah, works just fine…

 

[Cruzatte]

It works. I just worry about smoldering, so I use lube on the patching materials. Moose Milk mostly in spring, summer fall; in winter I use a mixture of beeswax and lambs tallow.

But yeah, works just fine…

Yeah, I second that, just to be safe. I've used blanket wads and they work OK.

 

[Brokennock]

Has historical precedent.
Do make sure the blanket is pure 100% wool or at least all natural,,, no nylon, rayon, polyester etc. A wool/cotton, wool/linen, wool/silk, blend should be okay.

 

[Bigpete]

It works. I just worry about smoldering, so I use lube on the patching materials. Moose Milk mostly in spring, summer fall; in winter I use a mixture of beeswax and lambs tallow.

But yeah, works just fine…

Pure wool won't light up and smoulder

 

[Rock Home Isle]

Oh Good...then my worry is for nothing..

 

[tenngun]

I’ve fed all sorts of manure to my smoothie. I find the best wool comes from teasing the weave apart and shooting it lake tow. However,
Just a fold of old blanket works very well for ball or shot, but a 1x2” square of paper folded in half has worked so well for me it’s all most all my wadding now.
Rubbed a bit to soften and dipped in melted lard it won’t burn.

 

[david w]

I'm not a smoothie shooter anymore. I had a 10 ga. side by side, and used wasp nests a few times. Mostly, I used AA plastic wads for the convenience.

 

[Whughett]

Could one use mineral or rock wool insulation for that purpose. certainly won’t melt or smolder and looks tight enough to cut into wads. Could be had for zero $ just by visiting a construction site for cutoffs.
I just placed an order with DuroFelt for their $25 sheet of1/8 hard wool felt, but I’ve experimented with paper towels saturated with 50/50 beeswax and Crisco then folded into sheets of desired thickness then punched into wads. It works just can’t say yet how well.
As a high volume revolver shooter wads can add significantly to cost per round.

 

[Rock Home Isle]

Could one use mineral or rock wool insulation for that purpose. certainly won’t melt or smolder and looks tight enough to cut into wads. Could be had for zero $ just by visiting a construction site for cutoffs.
I just placed an order with DuroFelt for their $25 sheet of1/8 hard wool felt, but I’ve experimented with paper towels saturated with 50/50 beeswax and Crisco then folded into sheets of desired thickness then punched into wads. It works just can’t say yet how well.
As a high volume revolver shooter wads can add significantly to cost per round.

Out of curiosity...How abrasive is that material?

 

[Whughett]

Out of curiosity...How abrasive is that material?

Not a clue. Just watch a DIY on YouTube who insulated with it. Cuts easy, seems to handle easy and unlike fiberglass doesn’t cause any itching of the skin. It’s basically lava spun into fibers.

 

[Bigpete]

Not a clue. Just watch a DIY on YouTube who insulated with it. Cuts easy, seems to handle easy and unlike fiberglass doesn’t cause any itching of the skin. It’s basically lava spun into fibers.

That sounds pretty abrasive to me

 

[Woody Morgan]

That sounds pretty abrasive to me

Agreed. It's...well...rock.

wm

 

[Celt5494]

I'm not a smoothie shooter anymore.

Blasphemy! Repent yourself Sir!