Author Topic: Paper Cartridge (Read 905 times)

TopperT · « **on:** January 08, 2006, 05:04:04 AM »

I am about to embark into the world of shooting paper cartridges. I will be receiving two new Pedersoli Sharps, an 1859 Military in .54 cal. and an 1863 Sporting in .45 cal.
I would like to get any and all information on the making, loading, carrying and storage of the "original":? Black Powder Cartridge" as it were. Thanks.

coyotyl · « **Reply #1 on:** January 10, 2006, 03:16:45 PM »

Hello TopperT.

I had an IAB Sile Sharp's .54 cal. 1863 sporting rifle for many years.

Dixie Gunworks has a "rolling kit" that works very well if your chamber is sized correctly for the papers. If not, you will have to nitrate your own papers and roll them to fit the chamber. Though the kit is designed to glue the paper to the bullet, I always had better luck pressure seating the bullets first, and then loading the "charge" only as a paper cartridge.

There are some good instructions for doing this here:

http://www.jesseshunting.com/articles/guns/category16/35.html

If the chamber is rather oversized, which mine was, you can use cornmeal as a filler on the front end of the charge.

Dixie also has some "ringtail bullets" they cast especially for the Sharp's breechloading guns with the bearing bands sized opposite from the frontstuffers.

My gun shot these bullets quite accurately and effectively with 50-70 grains of fffg.

Good luck and have fun!!

CB

sixgun_symphony · « **Reply #2 on:** January 10, 2006, 07:48:05 PM »

Get the catalog from Dixie Gun Works, they print alot of information there.

Will Bison · « **Reply #3 on:** January 27, 2006, 06:09:26 AM »

I picked up a '63 sporting in .45 last Summer. After some experimentation I opted for a powder charge only and seat the bullet with a seating rod.

After extracting some nitrate from BP, I roll a cartridge of two thicknesses of paper. A simple wood rod serves well as a mandrel.

The front of the cartridge is damp and tapped on a solid surface to make it flat. After the powder goes in I twist and tie the tail on and trim it.

The fast twist requires a heavy bullet. Mine shoots quite well.

cam0063 · « **Reply #4 on:** January 27, 2006, 02:42:53 PM »

Topper,

look in at the Shiloh forum, there is a section devoted to paper cartridge rifles and some of the guys are shooting the Peds.

Good luck.

cheers,

Cam...