Wad Question?

[Wink]

Does the use of a felt OP wad increase muzzle velocity thus allowing the shooter to use less of a powder charge?

 

[roundball]

Does the use of a felt OP wad increase muzzle velocity thus allowing the shooter to use less of a powder charge?

Oxyoke advertises that it will, and logically it should...but I have not personally chronographed a "before" and "after"...although for me personally I would not employ it in hopes of using less powder...I just enjoy any benefits they may give with the powder charge that I do use

 

[Stumpkiller]

Hmmm. Issac Newton would say the mass of the wad reduces the velocity of the projectile because the same energy must overcome an increased inertia (ball + patch + wad instead of just ball + patch). Unless you're getting blow-by on the regular patch I don't see how it could increase velocity.

Maybe I should fill the trunk of my car with them so I get better gas mileage. ;-)

 

[roundball]

Hmmm. Issac Newton would say the mass of the wad reduces the velocity of the projectile because the same energy must overcome an increased inertia (ball + patch + wad instead of just ball + patch). Unless you're getting blow-by on the regular patch I don't see how it could increase velocity.

Maybe I should fill the trunk of my car with them so I get better gas mileage. ;-)

Simple...the wad makes a better seal and reduces the amount of lost gas pressure due to blowby, and velocity increases as a result.

One thing I've come to be convinced about with muzzleloaders is that there is always blowby...the variable only being the degree because a patch is really not a good gasket...no doubt the patch material in the grooves helps but can't possibly make a perfect seal against 8000-9000 psi hot gas pressure flowing saround a ball through the grooves.

An excellent example of that is the slow motion video that circulates around every so often making that very point...shows that a patched ball coming out the muzzle of a rifle is preceeded by several inches of smoke and flame before the ball even exits and comes into view...has to be the same rationale used by Oxyoke in the advertisements for their wads.

The good news is I have a brand new chronograph and I'm looking forward to seeing what the velocity is on my own specific loads...be easy to do some checks with & without wads while I'm at it and then I'll have first hand experience on the subject.

I'd be surprised if you disagreed with all the testimonials that members post about using wads improves accuracy / reduces group size...the thing that causes that is more uniform shot-to-shot consistency of pressure, ergo more consistent velocity, means to me the wad is making a better seal...what else COULD it be?

 

[paulvallandigham]

Actually, what appears to be smoke in front of the ball or bullet on film taken of any gun firing is much more likely compressed air from the barrel, together with moisture droplets, and any oil or other foreign substance that is vaporized by the high velocity pressure in front of the ball or bullet. Both oil drops and water drops will give the appearance of " smoke " just as steam coming up out of a chimney looks like " white " smoke. The difference between the two is apparent in how quickly it dissipates after leaving the barrel.

Real smoke containing mostly carbon debris, will remain visibleand float down wind in the light breeze, where water and oil droplets will quickly dissipate, and " disappear.". The oil drops to the ground, and the water returns to vapor in the warm, drier air.

A good OP wad does a very good job of sealing gases behind the wad, and you should expect to see a velocity increase by using the wads under a PRB.

 

[tippyguru]

:grin: hahahaha, i'm going to put them in my triumph's tank and on my trout flys too.........just about to launch into your moose snot lube will p.t