What do you use for a wad cutter for .36 & .44 revolvers & .45 single shot BP pistols

5282jt · January 9, 2011, 05:51 PM

I was about to buy a punch set, but none I saw would cut a wad for my .44 New Army or my .45 cal Jukar.
Anyone got a homemade etc cutter idea for these? I also have a .36 cal Euroarms revolver and an Ethan Allen .36 double barrel pistol. So, if you have a solution for the .44 / .45 maybe you have an idea for the .36 without buying a set to get one 3/8" cutter?

Thanks!
Chuck

Roaddog · January 10, 2011, 07:15 AM

Take a 44/45 emty brass cartridge, punch the primer out sharpen the end up and start cutting wads. When it's full push the out frome the primer hole.

Hawg · January 10, 2011, 07:57 AM

I use a set of hole punches from Harbor Freight

5282jt · January 10, 2011, 08:01 AM

The Harbor Freight set doesn't have a 45 size, that I saw?
If I could find an empty 44/45 brass cartridge I'd use that, but I can't so far?

Doc Hoy · January 10, 2011, 08:43 AM

Technically that is correct.

The sizes go from .375 to .4375 to .500 But who knows what the size of the wad is once it is compressed under the ball? Those who use wads a lot can speak for how close the size needs to be I guess.

I don't use wads but I am thinking of starting. I will use the HF punches and some felt from a 100% wool hat I bought at the thrift shop.

Tnx,

horseman308 · January 10, 2011, 09:10 AM

I also use the Harbor Freight punches. No, there isn't one that is exactly the right size out of the package, but just get a dremmel with a grinder on it and open up the inside a little bit, and it works just fine.

5282jt · January 10, 2011, 09:25 AM

That sounds easy enough. Which one do you enlarge of their set?
Thanks,
Chuck

junkman_01 · January 10, 2011, 10:07 AM

Once lubed, the .4375 wads expand a bit and are a perfect fit in all my .44/.45 C&B revolvers. YMMV

crgator · January 13, 2011, 04:04 PM

I agree with junkman_01. I was using some .45 brass, and that cut some good wads. But it was a real pain to do. So, I bought the HF set, and have had excellent luck with no mods to my punch. I may ream it a bit later, but so far, I really don't see the need.

5282jt · January 13, 2011, 05:22 PM

Thanks everyone for the help!

Chuck

January 9, 2011, 05:51 PM	#1
5282jt Member Join Date: November 8, 2010 Posts: 43	What do you use for a wad cutter for .36 & .44 revolvers & .45 single shot BP pistols I was about to buy a punch set, but none I saw would cut a wad for my .44 New Army or my .45 cal Jukar. Anyone got a homemade etc cutter idea for these? I also have a .36 cal Euroarms revolver and an Ethan Allen .36 double barrel pistol. So, if you have a solution for the .44 / .45 maybe you have an idea for the .36 without buying a set to get one 3/8" cutter? Thanks! Chuck

January 10, 2011, 08:01 AM	#4
5282jt Member Join Date: November 8, 2010 Posts: 43	.44/45 spent case & Harbour Freight punch set The Harbor Freight set doesn't have a 45 size, that I saw? If I could find an empty 44/45 brass cartridge I'd use that, but I can't so far?

January 10, 2011, 08:43 AM	#5
Doc Hoy Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2008 Location: Naples, Fl Posts: 5,440	Doesn't have the right size Technically that is correct. The sizes go from .375 to .4375 to .500 But who knows what the size of the wad is once it is compressed under the ball? Those who use wads a lot can speak for how close the size needs to be I guess. I don't use wads but I am thinking of starting. I will use the HF punches and some felt from a 100% wool hat I bought at the thrift shop. Tnx, __________________ Seek truth. Relax. Take a breath.

January 10, 2011, 09:10 AM	#6
horseman308 Senior Member Join Date: November 3, 2009 Location: Maryland Posts: 526	I also use the Harbor Freight punches. No, there isn't one that is exactly the right size out of the package, but just get a dremmel with a grinder on it and open up the inside a little bit, and it works just fine. __________________ You only take one shot at a time - make it count.

January 10, 2011, 09:25 AM	#7
5282jt Member Join Date: November 8, 2010 Posts: 43	Horseman 308 open "up the inside a little bit" of which size? That sounds easy enough. Which one do you enlarge of their set? Thanks, Chuck

January 10, 2011, 07:15 AM	#2
Roaddog Senior Member Join Date: July 16, 2010 Location: East central Minnesota Posts: 202	Take a 44/45 emty brass cartridge, punch the primer out sharpen the end up and start cutting wads. When it's full push the out frome the primer hole.

January 10, 2011, 07:57 AM	#3
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,189	I use a set of hole punches from Harbor Freight

January 10, 2011, 10:07 AM	#8
junkman_01 Junior member Join Date: November 9, 2010 Location: Florida Posts: 260	Once lubed, the .4375 wads expand a bit and are a perfect fit in all my .44/.45 C&B revolvers. YMMV

January 13, 2011, 04:04 PM	#9
crgator Junior Member Join Date: July 18, 2010 Posts: 14	I agree with junkman_01. I was using some .45 brass, and that cut some good wads. But it was a real pain to do. So, I bought the HF set, and have had excellent luck with no mods to my punch. I may ream it a bit later, but so far, I really don't see the need.

January 13, 2011, 05:22 PM	#10
5282jt Member Join Date: November 8, 2010 Posts: 43	I have the punch set coming! Thanks everyone for the help! Chuck