Found! Proper Felt to Make Wads!

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ok Where da heck do i get a Wad Cutter. or punch. i have been looking on the internet. i guess i need .45 or 11mm to make for a .44 and .45. Whats the secredt where can i buy a good punch. How much do those things cost.
 
I bought a full set of wadcutter/hole punchers at Big Lots a couple of years ago. These are for punching holes in canvas or similar materials when installing grommets.

The set I got had about a dozen sizes.
If I can remember where I put it I'll dig it out and let you know if any are suitable for your use.
 
Many thanks to Gatofeo for the information. I came across it last summer and finally got a chance to put the wads and lube to use a few days ago. The wads come out of the lube very stiff but aren't brittle or unworkable and are saturated with hardened lube. In a Uberti 1860 Army I was able to go through at least 4 cylinders more than before when I used commercial wads and a dry lube. It might have gone longer but that was when I had to stop for the day.

Using the new wads and lube in 45 Colt cartridges in a stainless Vaquero, the cylinder would get pretty stiff after 18 shots. I put 100 rounds through it the other day and it was still turning. Clean up was also easier.

All of this advantage for a cost that is a minute fraction of commercial wads, always having a source for the wads instead of running to the gun store, and so forth. And I like having more involvement with assembling the loads, cartridge and C&B both. That is part of the fun of black powder shooting for me. :D The next step is to try them in some 45-70 cartridges in a Rolling Block.

Regards, Jeff
 
Pancho funny thing is I live about 1.5 miles from a Harbor Freight store and was in there 2 days ago they said they didnt have anything like that when I saw your post I jumped on the web site found them and called over there and yup I just got back with a brand new set of 9 punches for 6 bucks lol thanks again.
 
Whats these in the first post? “.36†or “.44†There is more of those and being no sort of computor wizard I have no clue.

2 years ago who ever this guy is/ was, was pretty informitive.. ol' long winded bastard that he is/was... ;-)
 
Good Stuff

Thought I would say thanks to the folks posting all the usefull information! Keep up the good work. I'm currently looking for a set of punches, then I'll need to get the felt.

I got a used 1858 Pietta Remington New Army Brass framed revolver. I bought some bore butter to put over the balls to stop chain fires. What do you folks use? Would beeswax work?

Also, what the best size 44 balls to use in the 58 Rem New Army? Gun came with .457, bought a box of .454's, plus I see other sizes out there.

Checking out the felt website, apparently she has been selling to shooters, check it out here!

Damn I thought reloading was addicting! :eek:
 
I order my virgin wool felt from an outfit called McMaster Carr,they are out of Cleveland. The wool felt is approximate 1/8 thick. Before I use my wad cutting attachment on the material, warm up some 1000 plus bore butter and lube up the wool.
 
Making Wads?

I got a set of hollow punches from Harbor Freight today and my felt will be here next week.

Question I have is when punching wads what do you guys put under the felt. I was thinking about a piece of scrap plywood or something similar. I'm thinking that something firm but not to hard to dull the punch.
 
I use a pine block; anything harder dulls my punch pretty quick. I use Gatofeo's wad/lube combo and can go well over 100 rounds in a 1851 navy without fouling trouble.
 
On my loading tool, I have a rubber puck set into the aluminum plate that I use. This saves the cutting edge from getting dull.
 
Rubber works fine. So do those semi-gel type cutting boards lots of places sell now. If you use wood (I do), make darned sure you are stamping into the end grain. You'll go through wood and dull the punch very quickly otherwise.
 
The punches from Harbor Freight sound like the way to go. The hollow punch set is only 4.99. What size are you using for the .44? 7/16 or maybe 1/2?
Click to expand...

I'm thinking the 1/2" punch but does anyone know for sure?

Stopped at the groc store this morning to get parafin. Kinda got a :scrutiny: look from the clerk. Guess I don't look like the jelly makin type :rolleyes: My beeswax should be here any day now and my felt will be here next week.
 
Does anyone know if the hammer type .38 caliber pistol wad punch from Buffalo Arms will work for our .36 Navies? I assume it would, but you know what they say about assuming?... I'm having one hell of a time finding a 3/8" hammer punch to make wads with. :(

EDITED: Ok, so I found the punch set offered by Harbor Freight, but Gatofeo says he uses a 7/16 punch for his 44-40 and a .45 caliber punch for his .44 C&B guns. Where have you all found a .45 caliber punch? (Not that I have a .44 caliber C&B pistol yet, but it'd be good to have just in case I buy one in the future.)
 
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just cooked the first batch of wad lube.

mutton tallow(hard to get in the UK)
used lard (tends to be beef rendered fat over here)
instead mixed with (Bio diesel)
bio is a refined oil seed rape with good
cleaning properties.

canners parafin (also hard to get in the UK)

used unscented candles.

beeswax No problem.

Did a 2 parts lard/bio
2parts candle
1 part beeswax
seems to work ok as barrel fouling is minimal


also gun seems more accurate/my eyesight improving lol

will do more research and if easy to get STUFF works
aswell will post back

Fired 20 shots @50 yard target 1 1/4 inch group
 
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