Wads in a Rifle

[HWooldridge]

We were at an informal shoot this weekend and firing offhand at paper plates about 80 yds away.  A gentleman present told several of us to try a greased felt wad between the patched ball and powder charge to improve accuracy.  We were playing with various charges and my 54 Uberti Hawken eventually began printing 1-1/2 to 2 in groups with 55gr of 2F, which I thought was quite respectable for offhand (all of this with round ball).  Is putting a wad in a general practice or do most of you shoot patched ball over powder?

[tryit]

HWoolridge, I have used a wad under my patched ball for a long time. It is quite accurate and means that I will not need to wipe the bore as much. The wad is larger than the groove diameter of he rifle. Tryit.

[LOG EYE]

HI HW:  It's funny you should mention wads  because I just determined to use them when I shoot 100 yd and higher yd targets.  My group tightened from 7 inches to about 3inches, off hand, using Wonder Wads in my .54 T/C renegade. You're right too about having to swab less frequently while shooting, I went from 3 shots to 10 before wet patching and dry patch . This will really help shooting the full range metallic silhouettes(spelling?) at Friendship spring shoot.
  Good shooting to U  

[hatchetman]

HW: I tried wads in my 58 caliber round ball barrel.  They also help keep the patch from being shredded when using heavy loads.  Being one of the last of the big time cheapskates, I made my own.  I just went to one of the home stores an bought a roll of felt weatherstrip, found a 5/8" punch and made a bunch of wads.  I soaked them in melted wonderlube, let them cool on a piece of newspaper, and went shooting.  Good luck!  Hachetman

[Eric N.]

 Thompson Center must think there is something to it. Thier Brake-O-Way sabo has a felt wad. No.8225

[johnt]

You guy's go back to page 5 and read:"Wonder Wads in a .54 Hawkin"

As an update to that RR didn't find an increase in accuracy with the wad's,yet he had fun tryin.

The nest and cream of" both have merit. A small buffer does sometimes help in some rifles.

I've found each rifle and shooter to be a bit different. What work's well for one feller,might not work as well in a different rifle for the same person.
Messin around with different techniques is alot of fun,get too shoot a bunch that way,an learn sum ta boot.

p.s. Eric N. What part of Minn.?? I live near Rice,Mn. Just north a Cloudytown.

[Eric N.]

Johnt, I live straight east of St. Paul. But why it is called North Saint Paul I have no idea.

[Charlie Detroit]

Johnt, I live straight east of St. Paul. But why it is called North Saint Paul I have no idea.

You oughta try Milwaukee...only town I ever saw where "Center Street" is north of "North Avenue."