Nitrated Paper, a Crazy Idea

[JohnH]

I have an Encore 209X50, I've never hunted with it but will be during January. Looking into speed loaders, the idea struck me.... Would it be possible to wrap a powder charge in nitrated paper/linen, drop the charge into the barrel follow with sabot, prime and be ready to fire again? Seems me that a couple of Civil War breech loading rifles used powder charges so wrapped, just curious if it might work with a muzzle loader too. Thoughts? Experience?

[Buckshot]

..................Can't think of a reason it wouldn't, especially with that 209 shotshell primer. I'd be leery of ramming another down there until yuo knew for a fact that there wasn't any smoldering remains to cause excitement :D

The CW paper cartridges were not usually rammed down the barrel. The end was torn off and the powder dumped and then the Minie' was rammed.

................Buckshot

[8mmshooter]

I've used cigarette paper in paper catridges for something like this in my 1858 revolver. Seemed to work alright. Just a pain in the neck making em. Should work in a rifle as well. 8mmshooter

[Junior1942]

Get a couple of T-C quick loaders. They work fast and easy.

[Maven]

John, If you're intent on nitrating paper, try something a bit stronger and more porous than cigarette paper, e.g., filter paper or coffee filters or perhaps those coarse brown paper towels (mostly because of their size). While KNO3 is great, NaNO3 would be more active, but more hygroscopic too.

[StarMetal]

I've used that paper that comes with a new shirt to be the best for nitrate paper and have used it successfully.

Joe

[KCSO]

A fellow here took and glued a couple of sticks of powder to the back of a sabot and bullet and he loads that way. I told him if he could just encase the load in brass and attach a primer...

[C1PNR]

We used 9# "onion skin" paper with 25% cotton fibre when loading for a .54 Sharps Carbine breach loader. Closing the breach sliced off the tail of the paper and exposed the powder.

If you are using this in a muzzleloader, I'd suggest forming the breach end of the paper in a semi pointed, kind of round nose shape. That way it splits when the ball is seated and the powder is at least more exposed to the primer flame.

IIRC, this was the basic shape of the preformed pistol charges carried by Cavalry troopers, and others, during the Civil War.

Frankly, I think using plastic rebar caps of the appropriate diameter is MUCH better. Pour your powder into the cap, insert a lubed Minié in the open end, and store in a pocket, possibles bag, cartridge box, or whatever.

Pull the "cartridge" out, pull the Minié out with your teeth, pour the powder down the barrel, insert the Minié, put on the new cap, cock, and FIRE! The old CWSA Skirmishers did it like that for years, to good effect.:cool:

[shooter575]

Like C1PNR said the onion skin works well.I use it untreated in my Sharps.Pages out of the phone book work ok too Lot of guys use the rolling papers plain also but they are too fragile for my fat fingers.One of my buddys got real funny looks buying them e-z widers by the carton.Have nitrated adding machine paper,regular ole putter printer paper too. To make solution: I just keep adding a tea spoon of salt peter to warm H2o.Couple oz.to the pint is enough. dip the paper and hang to dry. Get somthing to catch the drips as it hangs.It makes a mess in the floor.The dripings can be reused.
With that big 209 primer I would think that untreated would work OK as is.I would make a wood dowel as a former to roll paper cartridge,close and glue end like a shot shell crimp.
Know of one guy that tried a Pyro pellet glued to a .50 boolet in his smith carbine. I was thinking of trying it out on the Sharps.

[versifier]

I'm definitely with Junior on this, if you need a second shot while you're hunting, seconds count and you don't need to be standing there dubbing with something while the deer are making for the next county. There's nothing better than the quick loaders by TC and others. TC even makes some with the short starter built right in and they work great.
On the target range, sure, have a ball, play with new things, get a better understanding of how it was for our G-G-Grandfathers, and tell us about all your experiments and how they work out. I don't know so much yet that I can't still learn a thing or two! I really like the idea of what you're trying to do, I just doubt its practicality when deer are involved.
If you're hunting with an Encore (an inline) you aren't exactly going the traditional route anyway and you might as well use modern loading technology along with the modern 209 ignition you already have while you're out in the field. As my brother once said, "If you get things too goddam complicated, you're better off carrying a camera than a gun!"

[Edgeofthewoods]

When the Pryodex pellets came out and in forming my own pellets of the Holy Black , I used to use a Lee 200 grain conical and a drop of hot glue to stick the bullet to the pellet. This worked great in my 58 Remington. To protect the pellet I used to roll it in a Zig Zag paper and stack um in my ammo pouch.

Chuck

[shooter575]

Hey Edgeofthewoods
How mdid you make your own B/P pellets? I know that the fireworks guys use a hydrulic press and die to make stars for their shells.Makes me a bit nervious to put black under 3,000 lb of pressure though. I hope you have a better [safer] way.