I get felt from McMaster-Carr https://www.mcmaster.com/felt they have a warehouse in FL and most orders are delivered next day.
I get felt from McMaster-Carr https://www.mcmaster.com/felt they have a warehouse in FL and most orders are delivered next day.
I need a better wad cutter than a 7/16" punch and hammer. Suggestions?
Is yours an arch punch? If not, get a 7/16 arch punch and chuck it up in a drill press, just go slow or, just use it as a punch
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I've taken a 45 ACP case and drilled out the primer hole for a small bolt and sharpened the case. It cuts them pretty good. For the 50 cal I made something out of 1/2" copper plumbing pipe. I also use the punches. Anther source of wool felt is Hancock Fabrics and Joann fabrics. My wife is a quilter, so when I need some, she tells me if they have it.
Ditto on using the punch in a drill press. It's a lot faster and no whacking.
The key with felt selection is that you want 100% wool felt, nothing with any synthetic fibers mixed in. The synthetics will melt when you fire the gun.
For lube, try 100% neatsfoot oil (not neatsfoot oil compound). This is what I use. It's easier to lube the wads since all you do is soak them and squeeze out the excess. No mixing or melting. It works well to keep the fouling soft. It also works great as lube when shooting patched round balls. Plus, it's generally handy to have around for leather goods.
Note, I have not loaded a gun with a neatsfoot oil lubed wad and left it loaded for an extended period. Wads lubed with a harder lube like beeswax/tallow may be more suitable. I don't know if neatsfoot oil will ruin the charge.
I use the 1/8 inch dura felt for the real 50 cal lee bullet and works good i made a few punches for different calibers. I made one for a 58 cal shot gun that works very good. This stuff is so much fun. I get as much enjoyment making the stuff as i do shooting it, well almost as much fun. I got the last felt on ebay.
Dont pee down my back and tell me its raining.
BP | Bronze Point | IMR | Improved Military Rifle | PTD | Pointed |
BR | Bench Rest | M | Magnum | RN | Round Nose |
BT | Boat Tail | PL | Power-Lokt | SP | Soft Point |
C | Compressed Charge | PR | Primer | SPCL | Soft Point "Core-Lokt" |
HP | Hollow Point | PSPCL | Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" | C.O.L. | Cartridge Overall Length |
PSP | Pointed Soft Point | Spz | Spitzer Point | SBT | Spitzer Boat Tail |
LRN | Lead Round Nose | LWC | Lead Wad Cutter | LSWC | Lead Semi Wad Cutter |
GC | Gas Check |