Paper patch is accurate

[crow_feather]

I loaded up some 540 grain paper patched bullets and went to the range. 
The bullets came from Buffalo Arms and I patched with egg white per my gunsmith.
The patch material was from buffalo Arms - 100 per-cent cotton rag .023 thick
55 grains weighed of Pyrodex select
.03 over powder
.09 lube disc
.06 over lube wad
Five breaths of the blow tube tween shots.

Pedersoli 45-70 34" barrel
Malcom 3/4" 17" long scope - 3x.

The best of two 5 shot 104 yard groups is shown below:




C F

[Woodbutcher]

  Looks real good Crowfeather!
                                               Woodbutcher

[crow_feather]

TKS

C F

[Nrut]

Excellent load development and shooting there crow_feather!..
I never heard of using egg white before... 

[crow_feather]

I have heard of using egg white and water mixed before, but my gunsmith said to use just egg white.  You can do a bunch with just one egg.  It seemed easier to roll the patch on and was stickier than anything else I've tried.  It was easy to use

[Castaway]

crow_feather, that's some impressive shooting.

[crow_feather]

The rifle was bench rested and pretty well locked in place.  I am pleased with how accurate the rifle is though. 

I am a firm believer that these rifles and the paper patch bullet can be an extremely accurate combination.  I am also sold on egg white as a paper patch ingredient. The paper doesn't tear as easily and it dries hard gluing the paper together. 

I also believe that Swiss powder is not necessary in order to have an accurate rifle.  I shoot 1" to 1/1/2" groups too often with Pyrodex select (from a locked benched position) to believe Swiss is a necessity.

And a blow tube does aid accuracy - though I'm not fond of it.

I am new to this type of shooting and have a lot more to learn.  The experts at Greybeard that have given me advice sure have saved me a lot of time and trouble.  Thank you. 

C F

[MLR]

CF

 Do you just put the egg white on the final wrap of the paper to glue it to itsself?

   Michael

[crow_feather]

I swipe the paper through the egg white, sort of squeegee it off between two fingers, and then roll the bullet.  Not really to messy

C F

[MLR]

CF

 Sorry to be a pest, but doesnt that make the paper stick to the bullet? Is that ok to do?

  Michael

[Smokepole]

Crow Feather,
I was wondering as to the diameter of the bullet type and diameter.  You only said it was 540 grain.  Were the bullets swagged, cast, tapered, straight and of course diameter?  I as this as I am considering p-p for my 40-65 sharps.  I have been doing lots of reading about bore-size p-p bullets, under-size, groove-size, groove-size +.  All this can be overwhelming, and as you have provided us with the nice picture and your load data just one more thing would help.

Thanks

[MLR]

I have a Brooks mould. It casts a 30-1 PP bullet at .392 . Using #9 25% paper it patches up to about .401 .
Been having some health problems so havn't been able to give them a proper test.

   Michael

[crow_feather]

I got my bullets from Buffalo Arms.  They are marked  (.45 Cal   540 grain cup base   Diameter .450   Tapered paper patch).  I measured them at .452 plain and .457 with the paper attached.

As far as the paper sticking to the bullet, I don't know, but it shoots good so I don't worry about it.

My gunsmith uses cardboard from the cereal boxes for his 30-30 with egg white and gets great groups.  That's where I learned about using egg white. 

I do know that a blow tube is necessary as is a good bell on the case so the paper won't tear when the bullet is seated.

I do not know if this will work in every rifle or if this is just rifle specific, but it has shot well for me both times I have used it.  May it also do well for you.

C F

[handirifle]

crow feather
You're obviously doing things right.  Nice shooting! 

I have  few questions.  Being very new to BPCR, I'm a bit confused.  You refer to 100% cotton "rag" in your first post, then call it paper later.  Is it paper or cotton cloth?

Also I've always read that black powder, and Pyrodex, should be loaded by VOLUME, not weight, yet you're the second person lately that has weighed the powder.  Is it actually 55gr weight?  Like on a powder scale?

PP'ing bullets seems very interesting.  How do you cut the paper (or cloth as the case may be)?  Is there a pattern?

Pics would REALLY help a newby.
Thanks

[Slowpoke Slim]

If you go to Buffalo Arms website, www.buffaloarms.com, they sell a paper cutting jig that is caliber specific. Just order the caliber you need. The paper is called "cotton rag", but it's paper. It's also sometimes called "resume paper". It has to do with the thickness and sturdyness of the paper.

Some people load BP by volume, and some by weight. It depends on who you ask...

[handirifle]

Found it thanks.

[crow_feather]

Better than I could have written.  I volumed, then weighed the volume for better shot to shot performance.

C F

[handirifle]

Better than I could have written.  I volumed, then weighed the volume for better shot to shot performance.

C F

Tell me more.  Was the powder 55gr volume AND 55gr weight?  What made you decide on that particular amount of powder, case volume or other?

[crow_feather]

I was out of 2f and there was no black powder in my area for sale, so I went to Sportsmans and bought a jar of Pyrodex select just so I could shoot something until someone brought in some more 2f.  I measured 70 grains - volume - pyrodex select, and then weighed it.  It came very close to 55 grains weight.  So in trying for better accuracy, I just weigh charges to 55 grains then drop them through a drop tube and the case is filed very closely to the top of the case.  I compress the snot outta it, and finish loading. 

I was trying different loads from 55 to 70 grains volume and this load worked the best for me using a 457677 lyman mold with 20-1 lead/tin mix

C F