Wad use with prb

[bronko220002]

I have these 1/4 inch thick felt rounds that I punch my wads from. The smaller holes are the .50 caliber wads and the larger holes are 12 gauge wads.
Ohio Rusty ><>

I use the same stuff and use a hold punch and hammer to cut them out. But it seems there should be an easier way. Sometimes it takes a couple whacks to cut thru the felt. How do you sharpen your punch and how do you cut yours?

 

[French Colonial]

I always found that pounding away gave me very few wads for much effort, so I buy mine.

If someone has an easier way I would like to hear it as well.

 

[deerstalkert]

 

[Sam squanch]

I always found that pounding away gave me very few wads for much effort, so

No comment….

 

[Greenjoytj]

I use an over size 58 cal lube saturated wad in my 54 cal GPR with a PRB.
The purpose for using the wad is to add bullet lube to the powder fouling to keep the fouling soft to make easier to push my .535” ball, patch and wad combo down the bore.

Just like a cast bullet cartridge shooter adds lube to the lube grooves of his cast bullet to keep the fouling soft.
I do the same by having a lubed wad between the powder and PRB.

Using a slightly oversized wad causes the wad to form a slight concave dish shape when pressed into the muzzle nicely cradling the base of the PRB.

I have no doubt when the rifle is fired the wad melds to the weave of my patch firmly and is right away firmly taken into the rifling to take all the spin up RPM the rifling has to offer. I like to think the wad also provides a better gas seal for less blow by of the PRB.