I tried my hand at making paper cartridges

[James84]

how long did it take you to make 75 cartridges?

It's hard to say, but I might be on track to producing around 18 cartridges per hour if I don't make an mistakes. I'm not as productive at it as I could be as there is much room for improvement. I probably spent around five hours making the 75 i have. It's just something you do for an hour or two here and there to prepare for a range trip.

 

[James84]

It’s addictive. Bought my set from Eras Gone. 36 and 44 included. When the end papers were gone I made a cutter from a short piece of 3/4 copper pipe to cut new ones. I’ve used both curling papers and Raw brand rolling papers. I also made a template to cut the papers for a cone shape.
Both papers work fine both leave paper residue.
Daughter in law is a hair dresser so end papers are no problem to obtain.
The bonus with the Eras Gone the mandrel doubles as a powder measure and the funnel helps to keep the mouth of the cylinder flared out. Set was pricey though. View attachment 947461

I have the same exact kit.

 

[whughett]

No experience with any other but I’ve watched Every YouTube video on the subject. Old west just seemed to me the best.
Sooner or later your going to run out of those end papers. I tried little squares but wound up Cutting circles with a six inch piece of 3/4 copper pipe. Squared one end Of the pipe and used a pocketknife to bevel a sharp edge on the inside of it. A sharp rap on the end with several sheets of papers lying on a hard wood block cuts those little circles.

LOL. I hand load with a progressive press 400 to 500 cartridges an hour is easy. This paper cartridge thing Im luck to get 25 in an hour. And that’s just the tubes.

 

[Alexitt]

Seems like 20 an hour is a pretty good pace... I have the same kit and it works pretty well for me... (had a lot of practice rolling back in the 70's) I like your idea about the copper pipe to make the end caps and I now wonder if maybe a tiny dab if that Duco cement like what TheOutlawKid suggests might be a good idea for the end cap 1. to help seal against possible moisture and 2. to reduce the amount of leftover paper in the cylinder due to the glue stik... as a side note I bought my kit on Oct 7 as it was my birthday present to me...

 

[LST-1185]

While it seems there are many differant ways to make paper cartriges the way I like is making straight wall cartriges using just a 7/16" dowel rod. For me its about speed in making them. I shoot 150 to 200 rounds a week so I have to make at least 600 rounds a month. I use papers made by Element and a dry felt wad. Best regards.

 

[jdavis123]

The bottom paper caps are easily made with a paper craft hole punch from places like Hobby Lobby, Jo Ann’s, and Amazon. I use thin cigarette papers for cartridges and home made tapered dowels for the form. A couple of my revolvers are difficult to load after a few cylinders have been fired. My Uberti 1860 is especially difficult without damage to the cartridge. I suppose if I would get one of the stands that you place the cylinders on to load that it would be easy.Rather than that, I will just load it the convention way.

 

[A526051]

I'll chime in here, and I'm certainly no expert. I made a bunch of paper cartridges for my .36 navy, and tried the raw papers, made my own nitrated paper from coffee filters, used hair curling paper, and even bought flash paper. The first thing I learned was the Raw papers was very thin and difficult to deal with. Nitrated coffee filter paper was much easier to roll, but did not burn completely. Flash paper is OK, but very expensive and still did not burn completely. Hair curling paper seems to be a good compromise, easy to use and does not leave Too much unburnt paper behind.
The second thing I learned was that I had a really hard time trying to stuff a conical bullet on top of a powder charge in the cylinder. They have to be "bent" to get them to go in straight, and sometimes the paper breaks, and sometime the bullets goes in a little crooked, and if you try and push in on in with the rammer, as often as not it does not go all the way down and you end up having to remove the cylinder to get it back out.
I found out its easier to make little powder cylinders, like Outlaw Kid does, then you can use ball or conical. I like prelubed felt wads, so I put a powder charge in, put the felt wad on top of that, then a ball or conical, and it all seems to work well.
I fish the unburnt paper out of the cylinder after each load using a long qtip qith a wood handle, but its not an issue. I realize it isn't be the fastest way to reload, and if I had a war party of screaming Commaches after me it might make a difference, but I don't shoot BP revolvers to see how fast I can burn through powder, I can use other guns for that. Just my $0.02 worth.

 

[Navy Six 2]

At the end of last year I made a few paper cartridges out of silkspan, the thinnest available. It looked and felt like the curling papers. The few I was able to shoot worked well and after firing I saw less paper residue than either the RAW or curling papers. I am looking forward to continuing this research with the silkspan when this weather warms up a bit (right now we are in the middle of a snow storm) as I have used these winter months to make up a batch in both 36 & 44.
FWIW, my initial impression was positive as the silkspan burned quickly and forming cartridges, both straight walled and tapered, was similar to the curling paper. However, the silkspan tore easier if using a "wet" type of glue like Elmers. Also, it is more expensive than either alternative.
As mentioned above by A526051, I also have difficulty loading the Open top Colts(51, 60, 61) when attaching a conical bullet to the paper cartridge. That is the reason I make two types--Outlaw Kids straight walled cartridge without any projectile(for the Colts) and a tapered type with heeled bullet attached as they drop in easily in my Rogers & Spencers.

 

[ShotgunDave]

Whenever the discussion comes up about paper cartridges, it seems that all we talk about is the speed aspect. Whether or not it's faster to reload the revolver. I think we're missing the point. It's kind of like using a flintlock for hunting. It's not faster or easier, in fact it's the opposite. It's slower and harder and I think that is the point. It's all about our connection to the past.

Making paper cartridges may or may not be faster than loading loose powder and ball. But none the less, it's still a worthwhile endeavor because it connects us to the tradition and historicalness (is that a word?) of using these guns. It's part of the adventure, and just as fun as actually shooting the gun. At least for me anyway. It may be different for everyone else.

If you enjoy learning about history, then making and using paper cartridges is a fun way to do it.

 

[Jackrabbit1957]

For me it's about being able to load without fumbling loose powder all over the place.

 

[mladen]

Hello ,her is mine cartridges with their packaging. It is very small package it is not history correct butt i like .First photo is with sharps paper cartridges in 0.54 cal and others is for pistol revolver Colt or Remington is also for pocket size.

 

[mladen]

And her some loading video

 

[DocRock]

Hello ,her is mine cartridges with their packaging.View attachment 974823 View attachment 974822 View attachment 974821 View attachment 974820 It is very small package it is not history correct butt i like .First photo is with sharps paper cartridges in 0.54 cal and others is for pistol revolver Colt or Remington is also for pocket size.

Wow. Most excellent.

 

[mladen]

Thanks ,her one video on opening and shooting Sharps papers cartridges,enjoy.