Flash paper and revolver cartridges

I have used flash paper but it was a mess..even with nitrocellulose glue it was difficult and the paper would somewhat liquify and get mushy. I did use them to replace the thin rice paper disk that i use to seal the paper cartridges...they worked great there and left no "ring" of glued paper or anything. I think this is the best use of flash paper in paper cartridges as it ensures the cartridge end burns up entirely which is usually the part that stays behind as unburnt. They worked great but i just went to my usual style and used thin gift stuffing rice paper or curling papers as paper disk.

I'm just getting into making paper cartridges. What do you thing about cash register receipt paper ? I have an almost unlimited supply

Millamber457 said:

I'm just getting into making paper cartridges. What do you thing about cash register receipt paper ? I have an almost unlimited supply

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It will be fine but is unlikely to burn completely. Which absolutely doesn't matter unless you are going into combat with your cap n ball pistol. As you reload, spin a 45 call bronze brush round each chamber before placing the next paper cartridge. It will remove any residue or unburned paper. It ads a few seconds to your reloading. Not a problem.

Hey Guys,
As a way of learning how to make my own I bought a six-round pack of .44 paper cartidge Cowboy Loads specifically made for C&B .44 revolvers, loaded with 22gr's of Goex and a .454" round ball. How tightly against the back of the cylinder wall should I push the paper cartridge- tight or just until I feel it seat ?

electricfactory said:

Hey Guys,
As a way of learning how to make my own I bought a six-round pack of .44 paper cartidge Cowboy Loads specifically made for C&B .44 revolvers, loaded with 22gr's of Goex and a .454" round ball. How tightly against the back of the cylinder wall should I push the paper cartridge- tight or just until I feel it seat ?

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Seat it with force. You don’t want to break the lever, but seat the cartridge confidently.

Hi All, new to the forum and moderately new to C&B revolvers but I've been shooting my Trad Hawken for 25+years so I'm learning a lot in here... Lots of great info on here and I am really enjoying soaking it all in... Here's a shot of my first attempt with paper cartridges for the Navies...

I use the hair wraps and yes it leaves some ash and I've even had like burnt paper curls in the cylinders cleaning it. I wire brush and swab the inside of the cylinders now using paper cartridges but I never notice any difference or problems loading it on the range.

So if you don’t mind a question from someone that knows nothing, do you poke a hole or anything before you load, or is the cap powerful enough to ignite the charge right through the paper?

Thunderchicken said:

So if you don’t mind a question from someone that knows nothing, do you poke a hole or anything before you load, or is the cap powerful enough to ignite the charge right through the paper?

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No hole poking required. The loading lever seating the cartridge and ball causes the paper cartridge to rupture, thus exposing powder to ignition. Even if it did not, BP is so easy to ignite that the cap would likely burn through paper to ignite the powder.

Thunderchicken said:

So if you don’t mind a question from someone that knows nothing, do you poke a hole or anything before you load, or is the cap powerful enough to ignite the charge right through the paper?

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There's no need to pole a hole. I don't get complete combustion on my cartridges and when I pull the scraps out of the chamber, there is a hole neatly blown through the base of the case.

I might try "painting" my cartridge envelopes with diluted Duco cement or another nitrocellulose glue to see if I can get more complete combustion.

I've had pretty good luck with nitrated coffee filters. These are some 36 Colt cartridge works Eras Gone bullet loads I made with "capandball's" cartridge former. I have tried rolling papers and for me they were too fragile. The nitrated coffee filters may leave a piece or two in the chambers each cylinder but not a huge deal unless you are rapidly loading, a still smoking ember could get ya.

Ones pictured below are a bit short because I was trying a reduced load of only 10 grains of 3F. 15-16 grains ended up working better.

i was initially very excited about making paper cartridges and found that after making about ten of these, my enthusiasm quickly dropped off. I also used the curling iron paper but found the process extremely fiddly. I also had the first misfires I have had in a LONG time using them. I personally did not find the slight time savings while shooting worth it and couldn’t figure out how to make one successfully with a wad or a lube biscuit in it. and I guess I enjoy the normal “on the gun” multistep loading process more. So, if this ain’t for you, it’s ok

But then again, maybe I am just jealous as some of you are turning out some really purdy cartridges.