Paper Patching for Muzzle Loaders

[Castaway]

Thought some of you might find this interesting.  Gives a good summary of procedures, even if not patching for a muzzleloader.

http://members.shaw.ca/bobschewe/

[Idaho Ron]

I want to paper patch my ML bullets but I am still not sure how to do it. The video didn't work. I will try messing with it probably this winter after hunting season.  Ron

[dbm]

Have a look at the following page on my Long Range Muzzle Loader webs site:

www.lrml.org/technical/ammunition/patching.htm

There's a pictorial guide and links to other resources.

David

[Idaho Ron]

Thanks for the link that was great. DO you need anything on the bullet to keep it from unwrapping?  Also what kind of paper should I get and where do I get it? should I lube it before I shoot it?  thanks   Ron

[dbm]

I just dampen the paper a little and wrap the bullet. Any slight shrinkage will assist in tightly wrapping the paper on the bullet. Some 'dry' wrap with equal success. The twist to the paper at the bullet base will prevent it unwrapping. Once wrapped I role my bullets on top of the lube I use with my Enfield, then push them through a sizing die. Any lube you may put on should not migrate through the paper and adhere it to the bullet surface. What you need to ensure is that the paper falls from the bullet as it exits the barrel.

David

[Idaho Ron]

My barrel is a Green Mountain .458 It seems to like bullets in the .455 range. I can get .459's down the barrel but it is very tough. If I sized down to .452 and paper patch what paper weight would I need to still stay in the .455 range? Or should I size smaller?  Ron

[dbm]

The patched bullet needs to be just under bore size and should load with little more weight then the ram rod. If you have to force it down the bore you run the risk of stripping the paper off the bullet. You're possibly looking in the region of .006 thickness for the double wrap of paper added to your bullet diameter, so you may need to size your bullet smaller. I am in the UK so am not sure about availability of suitable papers in the US; contact Buffalo arms though, they sell some - http://www.buffaloarms.com/

David

[Castaway]

Two wraps of 16 lb. paper over a 0.452" bullet gives me a finished diameter right at 0.459"

[Lead pot]

I would suggest that you patch your bullet .001 to .002 under bore diameter for your slug gun unless you wipe good after every shot then I would patch it to .002 over bore diameter, but only with a harder alloy or you will deform the bullet nose.
If you patch that bullet at groove diameter or patch it to tight you will damage that patch and the accuracy will not be there.
At .001-.002 under bore diameter that bullet will obtrude and fill the groove.
If your using a barrel with deep groover (some are .010 deep) they will not work to good with a PP you will get bad gas cuts.
I would not lube the patch, there is to much of a chance the patch will stay with the bullet and you will get some wild flyers.
Pick out your paper you want to use on the bullet then get a mould with the proper diameter bullet.
Make sure your ML has a fast twist and not a twist made for a round ball. Round ball twists run in the neighbor hood  1 in 60-72 and those will stabilize a long bullet.