A question on patches and bullets

[stevekl]

I just wanted to clear this up in my head:

Are roundballs the only type of projectiles that require wads/patches? Sabots and Minie-balls do not require any patches or wads, correct?

 

[Lonestar.45]

Yes, roundballs, to my knowledge are the only ones needing patches. Sabots definitely no, and the conicals I've used do not need them either. There are varying thickness of patches, and varying diameter of balls, so if you shoot round ball you'll want to play with different setups to see which combo gives the best accuracy. For example, in a .50 caliber, you could try .490 ball and .18 patch, or .495 ball and .10 patch, etc. Lots of combos and schools of thought on it.

 

[Chawbaccer]

You could patch any sub caliber projectile, but with conicals and maxi balls you are loosing the advantage of using them. Before copper jackets became the norm for centerfire rifles they were patched with paper. There is also wads that can be used at the base of projectiles to help with gas sealing.

 

[smokemaker]

IIRC, paper patched conicals were used for quite a while in blackpowder cartridge rifles and even some muzzleloaders. The .461 Gibbs Metford comes to mind.

 

[4v50 Gary]

It was not uncommon for target guns of the Civil War era to require paper patches. Two paper strips were cut and laid across the the muzzle guard so as to form a cross (there were grooves in some guards that acted as guides for laying the paper). The bullet (conical or picket) was placed atop of the the paper and the bullet starter placed atop. When the bullet starter was pushed, it pushed the bullet and the paper patches down into the muzzle. For an illustration, see Ned Robert's "The Muzzle Loading Cap Lock Rifle."

 

[P95Carry]

In case of interest - I cast and use Minnies ... in .50 cal and .577 (latter thru my 2 band Enfield repro musketoon). I use a Lyman mould for the .577's and modified the insert.

Reason I show these is that here we have a bullet that is ''self-obturating'' ... once in the bore - a fairly good fit - the pressure of powder burn makes the skirt expand a bit and obturate and engage rifling. No patch required.

Tho the original Lyman design is good - I made a new insert which - whilst making a lighter bullet, does IMO increase effective obturation ... skirt thinner. Also accuracy seems better for me. This is usually over 2 1/2 drams ffg - ignition is percussion. Downside is - have to be careful not to distort skirt and so carry lubed Minnies in a wodden case deal I made.

I know the classic round ball is well effective but have grown to like the Minnie - sure as heck killed a fearful number of guys in the war.

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Edited to add - found I had a pic of my Minnie storage deal. Just two pieces of spare 1 x 5 I think .. cut and drilled with a forstner bit ( no - should have been forstner, was actually an auger type with pilot thread) - both halves. Once bullets lubed ... both parts put together and held with rubber bands ... prevents damage in the field.

Four short dowel pegs register the two halves together.

 

[4v50 Gary]

Dang, I'm impressed. I stuff my lubed minies into yellow Speer bullet boxes. I should be ashamed to show myself around you guys.

 

[P95Carry]

Don't sweat it Gary !!

When I used those Minnies with unmodified bases, I also used bullet plastic boxes, amongst other containers!! It was only the relative ''damageability'' of the modified ones which got me to lashing up the holder deal.