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Author Topic: Substitute for Newspaper Wadding  (Read 679 times)

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Offline reidxv

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Substitute for Newspaper Wadding
« on: June 20, 2009, 01:38:26 AM »
Hello Members. I have a 4 inch mortar that I got from Dominick and I've been using newspaper for wadding but when I fire a shot,,,,it doesn't totally burn up so it makes a real mess after several shots. I was wondering if there was a more user friendly material that can be substituted for the newspaper. I have access to clean sawdust,,,,,was wondering if that would work and above all, be safe. I have a ball with this mortar, especially on the 4th of July. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Also, I recently saw where Dom got hurt and I want to wish him well for a speedy recovery. He's a great guy !!
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Offline Cat Whisperer

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Re: Substitute for Newspaper Wadding
« Reply #1 on: June 20, 2009, 01:48:50 AM »
reidxv -

For the official answer, I'll let Dominick post a response; but I've used bread in one of my handgonnes.  It does become a projo, but it is biodegradable.

AND, WELCOME to the board!!!
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Offline gulfcoastblackpowder

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Re: Substitute for Newspaper Wadding
« Reply #2 on: June 20, 2009, 02:38:52 AM »
I had a problem once firing cannon near a tent - found out newspaper smolders, and the tent has a nice hole in it.  I use bread - cheap hot dog buns work well (prepare to be toasted), and are about the bore size of most of my cannon, rice paper, or napkins, and haven't had a problem since.  The napkins don't always finish burning, but at least I don't set things on fire (by accident).
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Offline KABAR2

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Re: Substitute for Newspaper Wadding
« Reply #3 on: June 20, 2009, 03:06:39 AM »
Like stated hotdog or bread work & the birds take care of the mess.....

Be sure of your back stop and do not let anyone stand in front of the cannon/mortar

bread has mass and could damage something close in.

I have uses green grass as it does not smolder too moist & has less mass than bread products.

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Offline Evil Dog

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Re: Substitute for Newspaper Wadding
« Reply #4 on: June 20, 2009, 04:54:58 AM »
Bread?  Newspaper?  A cast wheelweight ball works just fine for me.  Easy enough to recover with a 6' long red streamer tied to it... nothing left behind on the range.  Not something to fire in the backyard though.
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Offline KABAR2

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Re: Substitute for Newspaper Wadding
« Reply #5 on: June 20, 2009, 05:39:55 AM »
Quote from: Evil Dog on June 20, 2009, 04:54:58 AM
Bread?  Newspaper?  A cast wheelweight ball works just fine for me.  Easy enough to recover with a 6' long red streamer tied to it... nothing left behind on the range.  Not something to fire in the backyard though.

Ummmmm......... ::) Evil Dog he's asking about firing Salutes....... Blanks.......... Thus no Ball :o

Just trying to make some noise out of a short tube....... That's all
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Mr president I do not cling to either my gun or my Bible.... my gun is holstered on my side so I may carry my Bible and quote from it!

Sed tamen sal petrae LURO VOPO CAN UTRIET sulphuris; et sic facies tonituum et coruscationem si scias artficium

Offline subdjoe

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Re: Substitute for Newspaper Wadding
« Reply #6 on: June 20, 2009, 05:53:00 AM »
I would stay clear of sawdust.  There is a very good chance that as it dispurses it will catch fire.  Think about that old Mr. Wizard expeiment with flour and a candle.  Disbursing flammable particulants in the presence of flame may not be a good idea.  But I can't think of anything else.  Maybe some fine sand?

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Offline jeeper1

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Re: Substitute for Newspaper Wadding
« Reply #7 on: June 20, 2009, 06:53:23 AM »
What about wadded up aluminum foil?
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Offline dominick

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Re: Substitute for Newspaper Wadding
« Reply #8 on: June 20, 2009, 09:09:48 AM »
Quote from: reidxv on June 20, 2009, 01:38:26 AM
Hello Members. I have a 4 inch mortar that I got from Dominick and I've been using newspaper for wadding but when I fire a shot,,,,it doesn't totally burn up so it makes a real mess after several shots. I was wondering if there was a more user friendly material that can be substituted for the newspaper. I have access to clean sawdust,,,,,was wondering if that would work and above all, be safe. I have a ball with this mortar, especially on the 4th of July. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Also, I recently saw where Dom got hurt and I want to wish him well for a speedy recovery. He's a great guy !!


Jeeper's idea is a good alternative.  I would form the foil into a round ball.  If I remember correctly, the foil will travel about 50 feet so it should be treated as a projectile. 
I also use very slightly dampened newspaper in mortars only. 
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Offline Double D

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Re: Substitute for Newspaper Wadding
« Reply #9 on: June 20, 2009, 09:32:30 AM »
Cut round bore diameter disks of cardboard. They should be a tight slip fit.   The should fly out a few feet and float to the ground and not become projectiles. They also will increase the sound.

I'm with evildog on this....round ball is best, but I advocate zinc!!!!  Go 'dawg, go!!!   ;D ;D ;D ;D
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Offline Cat Whisperer

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Re: Substitute for Newspaper Wadding
« Reply #10 on: June 20, 2009, 09:41:46 AM »
Quote from: Double D on June 20, 2009, 09:32:30 AM
Cut round bore diameter disks of cardboard. They should be a tight slip fit.   The should fly out a few feet and float to the ground and not become projectiles. They also will increase the sound.

I'm with evildog on this....round ball is best, but I advocate zinc!!!!  Go 'dawg, go!!!   ;D ;D ;D ;D

Some folks here have posted that they've soaked the cardboard disks in something like water and baking soda and then dried them - to reduce the amount of burining of the disks.

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Offline dominick

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Re: Substitute for Newspaper Wadding
« Reply #11 on: June 20, 2009, 10:04:54 AM »
An empty tennis ball for the soda can size mortars with about 250 grains of FFg powder will make a good bang.  It's still a projectile though.
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Offline subdjoe

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Re: Substitute for Newspaper Wadding
« Reply #12 on: June 20, 2009, 12:35:09 PM »
I just had a thought to throw out.  How about a balloon?  Should contain the powder briefly, but not really anything going down range.  Only problem might be goo sticking in the bore.  But, with a short and fairly large bore, it should be easy to scrape out.  NO idea if it would work or not. 
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Your ob't & etc,
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Offline dan610324

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Re: Substitute for Newspaper Wadding
« Reply #13 on: June 20, 2009, 01:33:56 PM »
please explain about the cardboard discs .
should they be in the chamber or in the bore ??

I got a friend who use rockwool insulation in cannons , not sure if it would work in a mortar or not .
but at least it doesnt burn .
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Offline Cat Whisperer

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Re: Substitute for Newspaper Wadding
« Reply #14 on: June 20, 2009, 02:40:33 PM »
Cardboard disks (corogated cardboard) cut to bore diameter.  Just enough there to let the pressure build up enough for a good report.

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Tim K                 www.GBOCANNONS.COM
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