Best over-powder wad for blackpowder 45-70

jolasa · November 14, 2016, 04:05 PM

What is the best over-powder wad for black powder cartridge for Sharps 45-70 with a Lyman 457125 bullet?

card
LDPE
HDPE
other
etc/

JonS

Hawg · November 15, 2016, 02:02 AM

When I was loading 45-70 there wasn't enough room for an over powder wad.

Hellgate · November 15, 2016, 10:31 AM

For my TD carbine I use two thin wafers of sheet beeswax under the bullet and get more accuracy than with either no wad or 1 or 2 cardboard (1/8") discs from Circle Fly.

Wyosmith · November 15, 2016, 10:54 AM

Well WAYTTS?
IDMYSLARETUANOK.

ocharry · November 16, 2016, 11:27 AM

for a long time i used the card ,,,with good results

then i switched to the ldpe,,,with a little better results

This data is for black powder

if you are going to put all the driving bands into the case it will take a lot of compression,,,be careful,, you will bulge the case with to much and the cartridge wont go into the chamber

i also finger seated the bullet and left the top groove and driving band out of the case

if you are going to hunt with this bullet you can kiss the crimp on the second driving band to snug the bullet

not sure what powder you are using or how much,,,,but you should drop it through a drop tube to help settle the powder in the case to get more into the case,,,it will help

lyman also makes a really good IIRC 425gr, flat nose bullet that i like to hunt with,,way better than the 405gr.

for long range stuff look at the postell design,,, flies a little better out there at 8-1000 yrds

i can get the mold nos. for you if you need them

either one of those wads should give you good results

ocharry

bobn · November 21, 2016, 05:43 PM

make your own from orange juice containers. bob

reinert · November 21, 2016, 11:34 PM

I use the veggie wad material from Buffalo Arms. Depending on what bullet I use, either the .030" or the .060" stuff works very well. I use a .45 cal. wad punch to make the wads used in my 45/70 Shiloh Sharps loads.

I also compress my b.p. loads with the wad in place, using a compression die. Using standard GOEX, 2fg powder, I'll compress my drop-tubed, 68 grn. charge to the proper depth I need for my C.O.A.L. when the bullet is seated. An old rule; don't compress with the bullet while seating.

I use the standard GOEX, 2fg charge mentioned using both the Lyman 405 grn. flat nose bullet for hunting, and the Lyman 535 grn. Postel for the gongs. I've used both thicknesses of veggie wads for both bullet usage, and couldn't really see a difference in accuracy. I set the compression die depth accordingly for each bullet regarding proper C.O.A.L. I believe you've got the 500 grn. Gov't bullet mould. Never used that bullet, but I think the veggie wad stuff would work well for that pill, too.

If you're using Swiss powder, you won't be compressing your load, or very little if you do. Standard GOEX can be compressed a lot, and seems to shoot better with a good crush on the charge. I've compressed GOEX near half an inch in my 45/90 Shiloh with very good results down range.

Here's the stuff; go to reloading supplies, then wad material, then vegetable fiber material.

www.buffaloarms.com

Kevin Rohrer · November 22, 2016, 07:52 PM

There is no "best" of anything. Either something works or does not. Don't over think something as simple as a wad.

I use card wads I bought from Buffalo Arms, but also bought a wad punch to make my own when I run out of their's.

reinert · November 23, 2016, 09:55 AM

Jo1,

Looks like between here and the Shiloh site, you've got enough info on wads and materials to get you going straight down the trail. Personally, I'll still use the veggie stuff, as I've found loads for both of my Sharps rifles that work well for me regarding the wad question. FWIW, some shooters use only a wad disc of wax paper between the charge and the bullet base. They say that's perfectly sufficient for an accurate load. I just may try that sometime...sure would simplify things.

Good luck with your loads. Ever go to the Quigley? 700 registered shooters can't be wrong, even amidst the chaos. Anyone who's been bitten by the B.P.C.R. bug should attend that one at least once.

"Don't know where we're goin,' just don't wanna be late."

Model12Win · November 23, 2016, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Well WAYTTS?
IDMYSLARETUANOK.

Did you just have a stroke?

November 14, 2016, 04:05 PM	#1
jolasa Member Join Date: September 29, 2010 Location: Bay Area, California Posts: 60	Best over-powder wad for blackpowder 45-70 What is the best over-powder wad for black powder cartridge for Sharps 45-70 with a Lyman 457125 bullet? card LDPE HDPE other etc/ JonS

November 15, 2016, 10:31 AM	#3
Hellgate Senior Member Join Date: November 18, 2010 Location: Orygun Posts: 869	For my TD carbine I use two thin wafers of sheet beeswax under the bullet and get more accuracy than with either no wad or 1 or 2 cardboard (1/8") discs from Circle Fly. __________________ With over 15 perCUSSIN' revolvers, I've been called the Imelda Marcos of cap & ball. SASS#3302 (Life), SASS Regulator, NRA (Life), Dirty Gamey Bastards #129 Wolverton Mtn. Peacekeepers (WA), former Orygun Cowboy (Ranger, Posse from Hell)

November 16, 2016, 11:27 AM	#5
ocharry Senior Member Join Date: October 20, 2006 Posts: 685	for a long time i used the card ,,,with good results then i switched to the ldpe,,,with a little better results This data is for black powder if you are going to put all the driving bands into the case it will take a lot of compression,,,be careful,, you will bulge the case with to much and the cartridge wont go into the chamber i also finger seated the bullet and left the top groove and driving band out of the case if you are going to hunt with this bullet you can kiss the crimp on the second driving band to snug the bullet not sure what powder you are using or how much,,,,but you should drop it through a drop tube to help settle the powder in the case to get more into the case,,,it will help lyman also makes a really good IIRC 425gr, flat nose bullet that i like to hunt with,,way better than the 405gr. for long range stuff look at the postell design,,, flies a little better out there at 8-1000 yrds i can get the mold nos. for you if you need them either one of those wads should give you good results ocharry __________________ The felon does not fear the police, and he fears neither judge nor jury. Therefore what he must be taught to fear is his victim." - Lt. Col. Jeff Cooper, USMC Last edited by ocharry; November 16, 2016 at 09:15 PM.

November 22, 2016, 07:52 PM	#8
Kevin Rohrer Senior Member Join Date: May 19, 2010 Location: Medina, Ohio Posts: 1,049	There is no "best" of anything. Either something works or does not. Don't over think something as simple as a wad. I use card wads I bought from Buffalo Arms, but also bought a wad punch to make my own when I run out of their's. __________________ Member: Orange Gunsite Family, NRA--Life, ARTCA, and American Legion. Caveat Emptor: Cavery Grips/AmericanGripz/Prestige Grips/Stealth Grips from Clayton, NC. He is a scammer

November 15, 2016, 02:02 AM	#2
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,188	When I was loading 45-70 there wasn't enough room for an over powder wad.

November 15, 2016, 10:54 AM	#4
Wyosmith Senior Member Join Date: December 29, 2010 Location: Shoshoni Wyoming Posts: 2,713	Well WAYTTS? IDMYSLARETUANOK.

November 21, 2016, 05:43 PM	#6
bobn Senior Member Join Date: December 30, 2006 Location: midwest Posts: 1,105	make your own from orange juice containers. bob

November 21, 2016, 11:34 PM	#7
reinert Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2008 Posts: 646	I use the veggie wad material from Buffalo Arms. Depending on what bullet I use, either the .030" or the .060" stuff works very well. I use a .45 cal. wad punch to make the wads used in my 45/70 Shiloh Sharps loads. I also compress my b.p. loads with the wad in place, using a compression die. Using standard GOEX, 2fg powder, I'll compress my drop-tubed, 68 grn. charge to the proper depth I need for my C.O.A.L. when the bullet is seated. An old rule; don't compress with the bullet while seating. I use the standard GOEX, 2fg charge mentioned using both the Lyman 405 grn. flat nose bullet for hunting, and the Lyman 535 grn. Postel for the gongs. I've used both thicknesses of veggie wads for both bullet usage, and couldn't really see a difference in accuracy. I set the compression die depth accordingly for each bullet regarding proper C.O.A.L. I believe you've got the 500 grn. Gov't bullet mould. Never used that bullet, but I think the veggie wad stuff would work well for that pill, too. If you're using Swiss powder, you won't be compressing your load, or very little if you do. Standard GOEX can be compressed a lot, and seems to shoot better with a good crush on the charge. I've compressed GOEX near half an inch in my 45/90 Shiloh with very good results down range. Here's the stuff; go to reloading supplies, then wad material, then vegetable fiber material. www.buffaloarms.com

November 23, 2016, 09:55 AM	#9
reinert Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2008 Posts: 646	Jo1, Looks like between here and the Shiloh site, you've got enough info on wads and materials to get you going straight down the trail. Personally, I'll still use the veggie stuff, as I've found loads for both of my Sharps rifles that work well for me regarding the wad question. FWIW, some shooters use only a wad disc of wax paper between the charge and the bullet base. They say that's perfectly sufficient for an accurate load. I just may try that sometime...sure would simplify things. Good luck with your loads. Ever go to the Quigley? 700 registered shooters can't be wrong, even amidst the chaos. Anyone who's been bitten by the B.P.C.R. bug should attend that one at least once. "Don't know where we're goin,' just don't wanna be late."