Does anyone make their own BP paper cartridges or pellets?

[mrappe]

One thing that I down't like about c&b pistols is the measuring of powder. Especially at the range. While pre-load several cylinders I still have to reload some of them and I use a tubular brass flask with the thumb leaver that allows me to push on it and trickle the powder into a adjustable black powder measure with the swivelling funnel on the end. While this works well it is slow at the range. I was thinking about making some paper cartridges.Then I was thinking about making pellets but I don't know how wekk the pellets would work is it was a solid pellet as apposed to pouring in and compressing loose powder.

[zippy13]

We all share your frustration with metering powder in the field/range. I've tried several approaches.

1. I've made powder dippers from old brass. Originally I just used a .45ACP case with a wire handle. That has evolved into using .45LC cases and making dippers with integral pouring spouts and rifle cases soldered on as handles. I number each dipper's capacity to correspond the the LEE dipper numbers. The built-in spout eliminates the need for a funnel.

2. To avoid having to measure in the field altogether, I make up loads with cigarette papers. I've tried three different methods: A. Mini-powder bags of just powder; B. Paper cartridges with ball and powder; and, C. Paper cartridges with powder, lubricated wad and ball/bullet. All work well in my Ruger Old Army because of it's generous frame clearance, but can be a bother with the more crowded replica pieces. Consequently, I load the Ruger in a simple pistol stand, and use a cylinder loader for my replica guns. In both cases, since the cylinders weren't originally intended for paper cartridges, some paper is sheared off during the ramming process.

[arcticap]

The Pyrodex pistol pellets work perfectly in this video and produce plenty of smoke too. But they do need to be inserted into the chamber right side up.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGkxQ...layer_embedded

[wogpotter]

I use a tubular brass flask with the thumb leaver that allows me to push on it and trickle the powder into a adjustable black powder measure

I think I have the exact same powder flask as you do!
http://thefiringline.com/forums/show...26#post4288026
Try this change to technique & see if it helps.

Put a finger over the tip of the long brass spout. Invert the flask, open the valve & shake gently.

Close valve.

Un invert & then remove finger.

Is the tube 90+% full of powder?

If it is pour this into the measure & see how much there is.
(You might want to test with a bigger container, or set the measure to a big number so if there is a spill you'll be able to set the measure for the charge thrown.)

This is using your flask's spout as a measure at the same time as you decant powder & is a fair bit faster than trickling into a measure.

If the spout un-screws from the flask you can get different sized spouts to meter different amounts of powder, usually in 5 Gr increments. If you need an intermediate volume just get one size bigger & file away the tip till the volume comes out right.

Its still a good idea to use the measure as an intermediate container, but it is still faster than trickle pouring.

[mrappe]

The Pyrodex pistol pellets work perfectly in this video and produce plenty of smoke too. But they do need to be inserted into the chamber right side up.

I have heard about those pellets. I wonder if you couls make some out of BP and form them in a cylinder and then press them out of the back (from where the nipple would screw in) with a small wodden dowl. Then the would be the correct size to begin with.