.36 Navy Combustible Cartridges

[Panzerschwein]

Well hello everybody!

Yesterday I got a package in the mail from Hungary. Inside were the five reproduction cartridge boxes for .36 caliber percussion revolvers.

Needless to say, I needed to make some cartridges! So I went to work making them today using a dowel rod mandrel, 126 grain conical bullets, 14 grains of GOEX FFG black powder, and some curling papers:



They look really good! But the lid doesn't close on the box. The cartridges are a bit too long. I just emailed the Hungarian fellow who makes these, asking about what load I should try so the rounds will fit in the box.

I am just glad to get some of these made, been meaning to for a long time now. I'll be sure to keep everyone updated on these cartridges, I'm sure you'll all be waiting with baited breath!

If anyone want me to explain how to make these, let me know. Thanks for reading!

Cooldill

 

[ROAshooter]

round ball instead of conical will let the box close...

 

[Jimster]

I use those papers for my .54 Sharps Infantry rifle. I would love to hear your procedure for making those, especially the bottom/base. 14 grains seems like a pretty light load.

 

[Panzerschwein]

round ball instead of conical will let the box close...

Indeed, but I was trying to recreate the way they really were, loaded with conicals. I am not aware of any paper cartridges of the era loaded with round ball.

 

[Panzerschwein]

I use those papers for my .54 Sharps Infantry rifle. I would love to hear your procedure for making those, especially the bottom/base. 14 grains seems like a pretty light load.

I used this method:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2HUcfAyaaQ

It consists of using hair curling/perm papers and a glue stick. I made a little tapered mandrel by sanding a 3/8" wood dowel rod and used it to form the paper envelopes. The flat base is formed with a small square piece of curling paper or tissue and the glue on the larger piece of paper holds it on, forming a "cap". This should leave just a thin bit of curling paper for the cap to burn through.

It's an authentic looking method, unlike some other ways to do this. Looks just like the original cartridges, but of course these won't fit into the cartridge boxes I ordered. I think I'm going to try a 130 grain round nose conical which is notably shorter than the 126 grain spiral point conicals I used for these. That should allow enough room for the lid to close. The 14 grain powder charge is period correct, there were numerous makers of these cartridges and the powder charge varied from about 12-21 grains of powder.

I'll keep everyone updated. Thanks for reading!

 

[whughett]

Is it a matter of the round being too long? Deepen the drilled holes, wood box with hinged lid ?, or seat the bullet a little deeper in the paper tube.

 

[Panzerschwein]

The round is too long, and the bullet is seated firmly on the powder. There is only about 1/4" of wood left at the bottom of the container. I got a reply from Capandball and he saya they use the 130 grain Lee conical. I'll try those, and will make a new mandrel with less taper and this should work well.

 

[ROAshooter]

file a "V" notch inside the upper lip...so point of bullet clears....but outside of box does not show the mod...

 

[Erwan]

Hi Cooldill,

For that type of box you need use the mould LEE 375-130 1R: the nose is a bit shorter and more round...

 

[Missionary]

Greetings
Take a file to the nose of those pointy bullets. They will fit the box and you will have a harder "thwaping" bullet on impact.
Mike in Peru

 

[Panzerschwein]

Thanks guys, I ordered a box of 100 of the Lee 130 grain round nose bullets. With a new mandrel with a wider base but still tapered, I think I'll be able to get 15-17 grains of Swiss 3F powder under the bullet. That should equal close to 20 grains of GOEX, and should be fully capable of self defense, small game hunting, or simple target use.

 

[Jim K]

Only going by the picture, but those bullets look to be too long, and the ogive is too shallow. Originals usually seem to max at 1.40" if that helps.

 

[Panzerschwein]

Only going by the picture, but those bullets look to be too long, and the ogive is too shallow. Originals usually seem to max at 1.40" if that helps.

You mean original .36 paper cartridges? These are all miking in at 1.3-1.4" in fact. This conical bullet is period correct as well, unlike the more rounded 130 grain LEE bullets. Originals are much more pointed, like this.

 

[Crawdad1]

Can you load these conicals in your '51 Navy? Or does the cylinder have to be loaded off the revolver?

 

[Panzerschwein]

Well honestly Crawdad I'm not sure, Goon's Gun Works is due to send my '51 back any day now, but they should fit.

 

[TruthTellers]

Glad to know someone else watches capandball

 

[Panzerschwein]

Glad to know someone else watches capandball

Yes.

 

[4v50 Gary]

Nice box. I wonder if they can be bored out a bit more to fit?

 

[Crawdad1]

Well honestly Crawdad I'm not sure, Goon's Gun Works is due to send my '51 back any day now, but they should fit.

Cooldill, let us know what grain conical fits through the loading port of your '51Navy.

 

[dickydalton]

I have shorter conicals than those and they won't go with the cylinder on the gun.