wonder wad question

[Rickk]

HI,

anyone have some 45 caliber "wonder wads" and a set of calipers within reach?

What is the diameter of a 45 caliber wonder wad?

Rick

[radio2]

I just got today a new batch of wounder wads and they measure .490 to pick one up.
The pack says .40 .45 45/70 cal wonder wads 100 pack, Part #4400.  I got them from dixie gun works. Hope this helps!

[Rickk]

Yup, it might.

I just looked at Dixie's web site and the picture for #4400 says "All 44 and 45 cal - Ruger Old Army"
I don't know if this marking has changed since you got your bag... the words are different but the part number is the same.

The reason I ask is that I am too cheap to buy them so I got a few punches and some felt and paraffin and beeswax and mutton tallow and am going to make some for my Ruger Old Army. I was wondering how big they are. Have you used them in a .44 revolver? do they seem to fit tight or loose?

I know I am using the more "original" lube formula, so there may be some experimentation needed... just trying for a starting point.

[radio2]

Rick, I just got them yesterday and haven't tryed them yet

[Rickk]

OK... I'll be curious to know what you think about the  diameter.

Does anyone else punch their own wads for 45 caliber percussion revolvers and, if so, what diameter punch are you using?

[Wwalstrom]

I use an empty .44 Magnum casing, with the edges sharpened with a deburring tool.  I drilled out the primer opening and tapped it for a screw, which I use to back the wads out of the case.

[Rickk]

darn, your cheaper than me 

44 Mag... wads are about .430 then?

And the wonder wads are .490.

How well do the 44 mag wads fit? Do you use any additional lube over the face of the ball?

For what its worth, decent quality wad cutters (arch punches) in metric sizes in the 10-13 mm (.40 to .52) sizes can be had for about $10 each. The are fast and the punched wads simply fall out.

I punched several of each (10, 11, 12, 13 mm), as well as .45 inches ... just gotta wait for the cold weather to break in new england to try them all out.

[radio2]

Rickk, I am going to the range sunday to try out my ruger old army with the wounder wads and will let you know It's 45 cal.

[radio2]

Well I just got back from the range, I had no problems with the wounder wads, they are a bit larger than the cylinder and packed in nicely!  Shooting 45 ROA.  So if I were going to make my own witch I'm not I would use a .490 or something real close, under rather than over if you can't find .490

[Rickk]

OK... I have several metric size punches in that range. If the cold weather breaks I'll try out some 12 mm (.480's) first.

Thanks

[radio2]

That should work just fine!

[longcaribiner]

I don't use wonder wads in my old army.  Just powder, ball and then lube.

I do use wonder wads in loading black powder cartridges. I've made my own, but I can't find decent felt for the wads.   

[Rickk]

I am dragging the Old Army out of the gun locker after many years of collecting dust and getting ready to play with it again. One of the things I remember hating was crisco or wheel bearing grease out front...and all over everything.

I am hoping that home made felt wads remedy that situation.

If you want felt, check out  http://www.durofelt.com/image_26.html    p/n FM18H
Note that they sell it specifically for making BP wads.

Decent and reasonably priced wad punches can be found at  http://www.bloomertool.com/Wad-Punches.html

[radio2]

Hey Rick, Did you read this sticky?  http://www.graybeardoutdoors.com/smf/index.php/topic,3932.0.html
Sunday was my first time shooting my ROA and I used wounder wads without any greese on top and no problems 35 grain goex FFF and .457 ball.  From what I have red around here you don't need greese on top if your useing wounder wads as they make a good seal (Please correct me if I am wrong)  If I was going to use 40 grains and no wad I would put crisco or some other greese on top!
I shot it 24 times sunday, what a kick, I love this hobby!  And thanks to all for your help

[longcaribiner]

24 rounds???      No sense getting dirty for less than 100 or more shots.     (When I shoot, I shoot)     I like to shoot five shot strings to see how small a group I can manage.    Most folks get too much fouling in the barrel to complete 100 or more shots unless they use a lube.   I prefer the lube on top the ball.  As the ball starts it's trip down the barrel, the ball is smashing out a layer of lube ahead of it.  Kind of keeps the fouling consistent from shot to shot, AND lubes the barrel ahead of the ball as it slides through.    I can shoot all day that way with out cleaning the bore and without loss of accuracy from fouling build up. 

I also have a farm disc blade hangin in the tree at 25 yds,  it is 24 in in diameter with a 1 and 1/2 inch hole in the center.     We put white index card behind the disc and try to shoot the group through that hole.

[Blackhawk44]

I like to take the Wonder Wads and melt a little lube into them.  I used either Bore Butter or Wonder Lube.  Not much, just a little.  The heat of discharge speads it nicely.  I use wads even with a 40gr charge.  How can you holster that piece with lube running out of the chambers in warm weather.  If you look at few holsters of the period, you don't usually find lube stains.  Be sure to compress the wad with the rammer before trying to seat a ball.  Wads are the only way to go. 

[Wwalstrom]

darn, your cheaper than me 
44 Mag... wads are about .430 then?
And the wonder wads are .490.
How well do the 44 mag wads fit? Do you use any additional lube over the face of the ball?
For what its worth, decent quality wad cutters (arch punches) in metric sizes in the 10-13 mm (.40 to .52) sizes can be had for about $10 each.

You don't know how cheap I am ... I scavenged the cases from the range.  Cleaned the dirt out and everything.  Actually, after sharpening the case mouth a good bit (they was kinda dinged up),  the inside measures closer to .450.  Bear in mind, they're unsized empties.  I should mention, I also use 45ACP cases.  They measure a bit bigger, but "hold" fewer wads (and they were free, too).  To me, $0 is a bit better than $10.  Thats a half pound of powder right there.

[Rickk]

if your paying $20 a pound for powder, try shoping  at www.powderinc.com.

The listed prices include shipping and hazmat fee.

The only catch is that you need to order in 5# total increments. You can mix the brands and grain sizes as long as it adds up to a multiple of 5#. At 25# total orders you get the best deal.