Author Topic: Wads & Wad Cutters (Read 1100 times)

jimwaits · « **on:** February 27, 2004, 10:29:59 AM »

I'm new at it and have only been using Pyrodex to fire my golf ball mortar. I found out I had to tightly pack the stuff to get a good shot. Some research revealed a "vegetable fiber" a favorite among BP shooters.
I ordered some of this as well as some plastic stuff. I found some 1/8
inch cork at Walmart in the stationery department. To make a Jim-Dandy cutter I ground the teeth off a 1 7/8inch hole saw and then sharpened it by beveling the outside on a belt sander. I put the material on a board and whack it with a hammer and ole', a fine wad just a bit bigger than the bore and a nice tight fit when rammed home.
I have decided Pyrodex is a bad word and have some of the black stuff coming but thought I would pass along the cutter tip.

Double D · « **Reply #1 on:** February 27, 2004, 12:15:05 PM »

Jim,

First of all Pyrodex is not recommend for Cannons. Pyrodex requires compression in order work. You can put a wad over the powder but you still won't get what you need. Results will be inconsistant and erratic.

I experimented with Pyrodex years ago and got the cannon balls to go as far 10 to 15 yards.

I do intend to try some Triple 7 later this spring.

If you load black powder you will find you don't need wads. Just make those cartridges and roll your ball in.

jimwaits · « **Reply #2 on:** February 27, 2004, 04:22:33 PM »

Well, at first that was my problem but after putting in wads and packing it down good I got tremendous results in my golf ball mortar. Using 360 grains of Pyrodex and a bright red ball you can not even see it when it leaves and there is a tremendous boom. Very impressive!
I have ordered the book and am waiting on it before ordering my powder but I am sold on the black stuff.

Double D · « **Reply #3 on:** March 02, 2004, 02:30:59 AM »

Jim,

Lets see if I can get posted this time. I have tried to reply several time since the GBO server change over and got dump.

I never could make wad work with Pyrodex. All I suceeded in doing was spreading burning pieces of wad all over and putting out grass fires.

jimwaits · « **Reply #4 on:** March 02, 2004, 06:08:49 PM »

I have also been having much trouble with this thing. I guess they are having more trouble changing over than they figured. Maybe they will get it going again soon.
I have seen no burning wads. First I used pasteboard wads cut from pasteboard boxes. Then some card stock and finally some plastic stuff and the vegetable fiber stuff. I also used some 1/8 inch cork. I fire my mortar in front of my trailer on the bank of a river. I pick up several of the wads lying in the road but none are burned or charred.
Using two or three wads I got a good shot. I used 360 grains of Pyrodex
and three wads and a golf ball. BIG BOOM and the ball cannot be seen
anywhere....it's just gone!! Then I pick up most of the wads in the road a few yards from the muzzle.
I have several hundred yards of open river and at least five miles of deep swampland before any inhabitants.

jimwaits · « **Reply #5 on:** March 03, 2004, 04:43:59 AM »

I just rememembered something....I have always used tinfoil packets to put my Pyrodex in. Maybe this shields my wadding from the flames.

Calamity Jane · « **Reply #6 on:** March 04, 2004, 02:32:31 AM »

Donno Jim.

I package 250g in a baggie, then wrap in al. foil for my 1" bore (1,400 grain ball) and there's never more than about 20% of the al. foil left - the rest is vapourized (which leaves a nice silvery sheen on the grass in front of the muzzle :shock: ) Whod'a' thunk there'd be nuff heat/pressure to vapourize foil? :mrgreen: