Wad size

[Tonibaruch]

I haven't ever used a overpowder wad, but would like to try.

Where I live, wads of 0.45 caliber are not available, it seems me, while I can easily find 0.44 felt wads. Do they work in my slightly larger barrel?

Tb

 

[CivWarBlacksmith]

In my experiance, if the .44 felt wads are made for the .44 cal. pistol, they are oversized to fit the cylinder cavity and would work in your rifle. It just depends on your rifle if this would help your accuracy. Try several different loads with and without wads to see which works best. The only gun I own that uses felt wads/roundball well is my .62 smoothbore fowler.

 

[MercerLake]

:v The .44 wads might be a little loose to help much other than to carry some extra lubricant.
I've had better results with OP wads if the they are tight in the bore and thick enough to resist burning. They need to protect the base of the bullet from hot gases.
I punch my own using an "ARCH" punch and punch milk carton material or paper tablet cardboard backers. "Arch" punches are commonly used by saddle-makers, most hardware stores have them hidden somewhere on a shelf. :v

 

[R.M.]

Try a 50 cal. wad in your .45. I'll bet it'll work just fine.