06-11-2012, 06:52 PM | #1 |
Red Blooded American
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 2,288
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alternate for blackpowder pistol wads?
I was in at gander mountain and they wanted $8 for a small pack of 50 black powder pistol wads....That just seems like a crime. Is there anything I can improvise for free?
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06-11-2012, 08:12 PM | #2 |
Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Central Florida
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do a 'net search making black powder wads you will find everything you need to make your own,plus lube.
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06-11-2012, 08:58 PM | #3 |
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I used a punch to make rounds from old felt hats.
Then soaked 'em in warm Crisco, let 'em cool and had 'em in plastic. I'm sure there are better methods, but that's what my old pard and I did. |
06-11-2012, 09:27 PM | #4 |
Red Blooded American
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Hmm....Crisco is a good idea.
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06-11-2012, 11:06 PM | #5 |
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Used to use Crisco all the time, even before felt wads.
It will ONLY leak out the front, will only melt with heat from firing. Even if it does jump out of the cylinder face there's enough left to kill the powder residue in the front of the other chambers. Cleanup is simply a good wipedown. If you are going to store the piece, for a long period, use a good oil to break down the Crisco you leave, so that there's better protection. I used to do a final cleanup with "BreakFree" and store it away. |
06-12-2012, 12:04 AM | #6 |
Red Blooded American
Join Date: Jul 2008
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I haven't shot my 1858 in well over a year..... Can't wait to see that thing blow some fire & smoke again.
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06-12-2012, 01:43 AM | #7 |
KaBoom Kontrol Modulator
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10 Bears said it all for me, and he said it first !
Good Will is a good source for old felt hats. Personally never had any 'old' ones, my new Stetson was bought in '03. At the range or just olinking, etc, never bothered with wads, nice gob of crisco over the ball or bullet worked just fine. Clean up after a day of shooting my 1860's was dismantle, remove grips, scrub down with hot soapy water (one gun at a time) rinse in boiling water, pop in oven at about 250 f for 15-20 minutes or so let cool and wipe down with light oil (or clp) and reassemble. NEVER a speck of rust, even if it was months before next use. To use in wet weather, hunting, etc. or as a loaded SD weapon seal chamber and around nipples with melted beeswax, I've stored loaded BP revolvers fo as long as a year that way. (be sure to get any oil out of the chanbers of course first.) Never had a fail to fire and no squibs. That and paper cartridges were two of the old timer's tricks that made the old charcoal burners FAR more effectuve than 9 out of10 of todays shooters think. All JMHO ... as always. Enjoy, Regards, ... |
06-12-2012, 01:58 AM | #8 |
Fear what you cannot see
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 6,730
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Felt furniture pads, soak them in Crisco
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06-12-2012, 02:47 PM | #9 |
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Like 5-Knives said, you don't even need the wads if you are just out plinking and goofing around. Just make sure you grease the ends of the chambers.
I have some wads, but rarely use them in my Ruger Old Army. I just like the smell of Bore Butter, I guess.
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"The truly dangerous man dresses inconspicuously and is soft- spoken. He walks away from most confrontations. The only time you learn that the truly dangerous man is mad at you is a split second before you die, for he never fights. He only kills. The truly dangerous man knows that fighting is what children do and killing is what men do." - Charley Reese 1986
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06-12-2012, 02:57 PM | #10 |
Resident Curmudgeon
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You don't need wads with a '58. Just powder and ball and you're good to go. I like Speer Swaged Balls in .451
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06-12-2012, 03:08 PM | #11 |
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With Crisco you can use a little bag, like a cake decorator, to squirt a bit onto each chamber face.
Then use your finger to smooth off the excess. My old pard made a good one, using the nipple from a powder flask, plastic bag. Then he wrapped a nice leather bag, nicely stitched and decorated over the plastic. Looked real nice when it was first completed. But, as in all 'good' ideas, the Crisco still managed to invade that leather. It became a very sticky/greasy mess, after a while. He went back to using his finger, dipping it in the little crisco can for each need. |
06-12-2012, 04:29 PM | #12 |
Fear what you cannot see
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 6,730
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Jello Shot Syringes for Crisco applicator. All you need is a ring around the ball, does the same and less "messy".
http://www.ez-squeeze.com/ez-inject-syringes-c-6 |
06-12-2012, 07:51 PM | #13 | |
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Quote:
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06-14-2012, 11:36 PM | #14 |
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hmm i might need one of those
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06-16-2012, 03:03 PM | #15 |
Coonass Crusader
Join Date: Apr 2006
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I've never used a wad in any of my revolvers, and have never had a chain fire. Maybe I'm lucky.
Being as how I only shoot them in my back yard may have something to do with it. I'm only loading 18-30gr of powder depending on the caliber and gun; and using a cornmeal filler between the powder and the ball. The only pistol I use wads fo is my smooth bore Kentucky pistol. |
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