Mar 06, 2014 using a two stage sizing process to create cheap bullets to keep you shooting. Much discussion and cussin have been laid at their doorstep. It has been claimed that the paper patch enables a better fit between the rifling and the bullet. Note how the upper point of that angle cut is the last to be rolled. This article is about using your lathe and milling machine to make a mold to cast bullets suitable for paper patching. It is important to patch the paper around the entire bearing surface. Most cast bullets are made of lead alloyed with tin and antimony. Breechloading rifles using brass cartridge cases were invented, with target shooters at first loading by seating a bullet into the rifling like world. Paper patched bullets were used in some early cartridges, though i dont fully understand why. Paper patched bullets are still available, and some blackpowder shooters still roll their own paper patched bullets for hunting and competitive shooting. Cast the bullets of hardness according to the load for full loads, bhn 1620, or slightly softer than.
One of the issues involved with paper patching is the bullet needs to. Then the bullet is rolled in the paper, as tight as possible, to the left. The paper patch is moistened slightly with water to make it more pliable and slightly sticky. If youre a diehard paperpatched bullet shooter, youre undoubtedly familiar with paul matthews. The patch is carefully wrapped around the bearing surface of the bullet. The 3855 winchester center fire wcf is a unique example among metallic cartridges through almost 125 years of production, until quite recently, 3855 cases had evidently never been made correctly for use with conventional bullets. Because of our selfimposed limitations, the states took pity on us and gave us a very liberal hunting season. To begin, there are three types of paper patched bullets lets call them ppbs for short. Its fitted with double set triggers, and a vernier sight. I also made a patching jig so that the paper on the bullets were all the same. His delightfully informative book on the subject, the paper jacket, is perhaps the best resource for a reloader interested in utilizing paper patched bullets with smokeless powder. A beginners guide to loading and shooting paper patched bullets for early black powder cartridge rifles.
In the final chapter, he gives a quick summary of what works best for him with what he calls a practical paperpatched bullet. Paper patches let a shooter get the same velocities from lead bullets as with jacketed bullets. Or, print your order after entering your address, attach your check or money order, and send it by mail. The lip of paper extending past the base of the bullet is then twisted together, and may be pushed into a depression cast into the base of the bullet. Today, only the most hardcore enthusiasts use paper patched bullets, but during the childhood of the metallic cartridges in the 1870s and 1880s paper patched bullets were the norm. This cartridge was designed by the mauser brothers for their first successful rifle, the single shot model 1871. Ross seyfrieds first published article was on paper patching and hed. With the goal of preventing contact between alloy and bore wall and, perhaps, a reduction in metal cost, i. So, i thought i would give a quick explanation on the concept and then show my process. Would paper patching reduce leading in s rifled barrel. Hunting with paper patch bullets in sharps 45120 aka 45. Sizing paperpatched bullets for smokeless powder load.
Top long range muzzleloading targt shooters of the mid 1800s commonly relied on paper patched conical bullets. The single lap patch has the edges cut square unlike the angle edges of a doublelap patch, and the edges butt when wrapped on a bullet. Reloading paper patched bullets the anser to this inquiry came from the pastas they often do. When you have a clean rag and time to wipe your hands between shots they work fine. Paper patched or lubricated lead bullets can be swaged in two basic styles, the swc shoulder style shown here, and the smooth ogive style shown below. Paper patches can be used to make slightly undersized bullets fit a gun with. Where is a good place to get the mold and paper that i will need. After that its just learning to patch the bullets well, pretty simple, and to load paper patched bullets. Jun 12, 2009 world record attempt open sight shot 2240 yards ernest jimenez unmodified k31 swiss 7. Read more on how to make and load paper patched bullets and ammunition. Loading and shooting schetzen rifles shooters record book.
Paper patch bullets were used in the 1800s for target shooting and hunting and are still being used today. If youre a diehard paper patched bullet shooter, youre undoubtedly familiar with paul matthews. Is paper patching real for making bullets untraceable. A beginners guide for learning to load and shoot paper patched bullets by randolph s wright. North american muzzleloader hunting shares a couple of ways to patch lead bullets and the papers that works best.
Because the 4570 chambering was never intended for use with paper patched bullets, chamber design does not suffer the limitations that chambers for many other surviving cartridges of the same era do refer to my treatise on the 3855 wcf. The excess paper at the bottom is then twisted tight against the bottom of the bullet. Paperpatching your inline muzzleloader western powders. Paper patched bullets are made by winding a piece of paper, usually twice, around a lead bullet. The bullets must be cast under size enough to allow for the paper, and a slight hollow in the base to pack the paper helps. Since you are handling the entire package, there is no chance of a double load or a squib. Lube grooved bullet on left paper patched without the paper on the right. It is a very detailed book on the most accurate target and long range 1k rifles of the 19th century, right down to false muzzles and paper patched bullets. Paul mathews article on paper patching bullets for the 458 winchester in the cast bullet special. You load the ammunition approximately the same way as you load black. It has been my experience, however, that most of the cussin has been from folks with little or no personal experience with ppbs. A lot of people are curious about paper patching bullets.
In his march 1977 article paper patched bullets come of age, harrison provides a few rules for the shooter using a paper patch to obtain top velocities with poured slugs. Youve probably seen photos of paper patched bullets large, rimmed, oldstyle cases loaded with a lead bullet but sporting a paper collar above the case mouth. I do have some paper from bac that i bought 23 years ago. In other words, with greasegroove bullets, the lube is primarily for the shot being. Loading and shooting paper patched bullets a beginners guide. In his march 1977 article paper patched bullets come of age, harrison provides a few rules for the shooter using a. My 21year old son eric and i drew cow elk tags as our second choice in our favorite hunt unit in the bighorn basin of wyoming.
When used in front of a black powder charge, paperpatched bullets work. And, just like the difference between greasegroove bullets and paper patched bullets, the reason for lubrication while shooting muzzleloaders is still the same, to keep the fouling soft for following shots. Nov 21, 2005 it is as accurate as the day it came home from the shop. Refining paperpatched loads for smokeless powder load data. We rely on a quality products, delivery and value for our customers. However, the lead bullets i make for patching are designed to fit the diameter of the bore, not the groove, which means the paper patch is at least partly cut. The use of paper patched bullets is especially known from the buffalo hunts on the american prairies where millions of the shaggy beasts fell for paper patched bullets. When the wrapping paper s length and width is calculated and tested, the paper ends are cut at an angle of between 40 and 60. Your only concern should be that the paper patch does not strip from the bullet before it engages the rifling. I havent seen a copy of it since i was in highschool. Mar 22, 2015 this article is about using your lathe and milling machine to make a mold to cast bullets suitable for paper patching. Photo at far right shows the wrapped paperpatched whitworth bullet. Black powder paper patched bullet cartridges a ppb primer for bpcrbptr cartridge building why paper patched bullets.
Chase was a black powder era bench shooter of some note who developed a single lap paper patch system for breech loaders. We describe another method to economically and simply custom fit the bullet to your rifle bore to make your military surplus rifle shoot accurately. Harrison published his findings in the american rifleman and the nras compilation tome. Twist the end of the paper into the recess at the base of the bullet and youre done. The paper acts like a jacket and keeps the lead from smearing in the bore. Accurate bpcr paper patch bullets mississippi gun owners. Paper patched bullets ppb are probably the most controversial of all lead bullet styles.
Paper patched bullets a blast from the past sporting. Here are the benefits of shooting paper patched bullets in your inline. How do you determin which is the correct diameter for the bullet to be before paper patching. Does anybody know anything about paper patched bullets for 4570. One of the issues involved with paper patching is the bullet needs to fit the bore nearly perfectly for best results. Bullet size and paper size to add up to the right diameter. Theres not a whole lot of folks shooting paper patched bullets so its difficult to compare notes with someone else.
Would be of interest to research this,not only would make it easier but teflon tape is verry slippery. I also did some hunting rifle paper patching very successfully with my 358 win see other 35 cal thread. The chase patch and the crosspatch methods are strictly for breach seated cartridge target rifles or for muzzle loading target rifles equipped with falsemuzzles. Id cut a large batch of patches in front of the tv. Dec 26, 2019 if you remember, in part one, i said i was sizing my bullets to. This article is intended for shooters who are currently loading lubed. To better address and understand the why paper patched bullets, lets examine the differences between gg grease groove, lubed and pp paper patched, or ppb bullets as theyre used in loading black powder cartridges. If you have experience ill listen in rapt attention. Patching with teflon tape was reading an article about paper patched bullets when i stumbled on an article about useing teflon tape instead. Note that a lot of folks make a lot of todo about paper wearing out the edges of the rifling. In his march 1977 article paper patched bullets come of age. Paul mathews article on paper patching bullets for the 458 winchester in the cast bullet special edition is worth looking for. It is the most tedious part of loading paper patch ammo.
New lube for black powder rifles american shooting journal. I addition to the usual remedies you use when loading black powder cartridge ammunition with grease. In some of my other rifles paper patched bullets are superior to grease groove bullets. A paper patch bullet will do anything a grease groove bullet can do, and then some. The original loading consisted of a 360 grain paper patched slug driven by about 70 grains of blackpowder. The paper patch bullet is from montana precision swaging and it has a wicked cutting edge or wad cutter type shoulder, which leaves pronounced full caliber holes in paper targets.
Paper patched bullets a blast from the past sporting shooters. Hunting with paper patch bullets in sharps 45120 aka 45110 by tom ball. So the paper patched bullet had something of a reputation for greater accuracy. Paper patching traditional lead conical muzzleloader bullets. Paper cartridges are also in use today by many black powder enthusiasts. In fact i may be the only one in the world shooting paper patched bullets from a. After all, a paper patch is just a very thin sabot. Velocities can be easily pushed over 3000 fps, and often you can get higher velocity with a paper patched bullet than you can with jacketed bullets.
Paper patching is a science in itself that may prove very accurate, and it is in my opinion more challenging compared to using grease groove bullets. Hunting with paper patch bullets in sharps 45120 aka 45110. A cast bullet is made by allowing molten metal to solidify in a mold. They have told me that they have shot paper patch bullets at velocities near 2200 fps without any leading. This for you old or ancient guys paper patched bullets. Three hardened dowel pins provide positive alignment in both vertical and horizontal planes. All reloading data in this article is for informational purposes only. I wet the paper with water, roll them, then let dry. Loading with correct 3855 winchester cases 3855 rifle. Type of paper to use, max caliber disparity, load info etc.
Years ago i did some of that paper patching for a 3006 spfld according to the harris developments. This short article is mainly about what goes around the bullet, not. I make and use paper patched bullets for elk hunting and target shooting. Lots of advantages, especially compared to grease groove bullets. As a ammunition manufacture, we load over 400 calibers. Out of print loading and shooting traditional scheutzen rifles a beginners guide. I tried sizing the patched bullets, tore the paper off every time.
Sizing paperpatched bullets for smokeless powder load data. For those who are interested in full power with cast bullets in such calibers as. Ross seyfrieds first published article was on paper patching and hed patched up some hornady 500 gr jacketed slugs to use in a 470 nitro double rifle. For the record, this is not my video or gun or cartridge load. This article is intended for shooters who are currently loading lubed bullets with either black powder, black powder substitute, or smokeless powder, and would like. Working with lubricated bullets is messy in my experience. If found they will all be used the same as if the rifling in your gun was matched to the bullet in the body. Those who did use paper patching at the time tended to be match shooters or buffalo hunters who built their own ammunition. For most shooters loading conventional cast bullets in guns with.
When they were made commercially this was done by hand, usually involving female fingers. I cant tell you how many bullets it has fired, but i can say that all but 5 of them, exactly 5, have been paper patched. However, i do load and shoot black powder bp charged paper patched bullets ppbs exclusively for my sharps falling block and. There is one fellow who shoots yds with his black powser 45 cal rifle and puts them all in the the black. Enter your name, address, and billing information for prompt shipment.
In my search for consistency, i began patching the bullets unsized and then sizing them to. Mould blocks are made from durabar 654512 extruded fine grain ductile iron. Paper patch bullet d reamer and shop made casting mold. Shooting a paper patched bullet in your inline muzzleloader, using blackhorn 209 powder behind it, opens up a whole new way to shoot your rifle.
This last pic is of a 100yd five shot group from a 224 cal rifle. Please post what you find,it sounds interesting and would like to know how fast you can push them and of corse accuracy being the main consern also. The load i used on this hunt and trust in this rifle is my favorite, a 500 gr. Sport, sporting goods and toys industry lubricants lubrication and lubricants software patches. That last part is so simple i just dont understand the effort by so many to make it. Using a two stage sizing process to create cheap bullets to keep you shooting. Harrison and the staff at the american rifleman worked with paperpatched bullets in the. Loading paper patched bullets montana bullet works. Im thinking about trying paper patched bullets in a pedersoli john bodine 4570. I prefer to use paper patched bullets simply because they are easier to handle. The baco confetti had large chunks of paper even though the patch used was short by. Followed by the same questions about how the paper survives in the barrel.
Paper patched bullets will be tried and tested when i get time and inspiration. You should end up with a patched bullet that fits your rifle as it should. Those of us who loaded patched round balls instead of conical bullets were forced to hunt hard, get close and make that one shot count. We had to pass up a lot of shots that were duck soup for centerfires. I can sit in front of the tv, watch a program and load up 50 to 100 rather quickly. But many latterday experts believe that the best paper patched bullets and the best greasegroove bullets are about as accurate as each other.
Paper patched bullets are an important part of our rich and diverse firearms history, providing a way of preventing leading, while driving generally a soft lead. For black powder cartridge shooters today, we almost always use lube with the bullets in our loads. In my opinion, paper patched bullets was a kind of fashion in the early black powder cartridge era, and they were not necessarily better compared to grease grooved bullets. When the paper dries it shrinks tight to the bullet. After testing a series of bullet diameters in four different rifles, two sweet spots. Paper patch supplies, paper patch templates, paper patch paper, lead bullets, paper patch bullets. It has been my experience, however, that most of the cussin has been from folks. And even paper patched some bullets for my 375 hh improved to shoot deer with.