A question,at least I do not think it is stupid

[Beekeeper]

It was asked of me at the range about BP paper patching.
Mantra is < leave no air space between boolit and powder>
When I PP I twist the tail.
Just before it dries I cut 80% of the twist off but it still leaves a tail.
The question asked was It not dangerous to leave an air space between boolit base and grease cookie?
Since I use a card wad, grease cookie, card wad and then the boolit there is always a space ,a small one I grant you but a space that is not supported in any way.
Never thought about it until I was asked. Should I leave out the top card wad and seat the boolit tail into the grease cookie?
An old inquireing mind wants to know.


beekeeper

[Don McDowell]

You'll be fine, but that extra tail may cause you some accuacy problems.

[Dan Cash]

Extra tail always causes problems.

[Nobade]

Make the patch shorter so there is a hole in the middle and no tail. It shoots way better for me, the tail makes a dent into the bottom of the boolit.

[Lead pot]

If you bullet is a flat base cut your patch so when it folded under so there is a dot of lead showing.
If you use a dish or cup base bullet leave a slight tail and fold it into the recess so it is flush.
That is what the cup base was designed for. it needs the tail to protect the skirt from getting damaged.
The hollow based bullets like the mini ball was for the front stuffers to seal the bore better to retain the gas behind the bullet and some also packed the base with lard for keeping the fouling soft.
A hollow base was not designed for a cartridge.
The little space the tail takes up will not be a problem unless it is very long.
You need a card between the lube and the bullet or the lube will stick the base of the patch and the patch will ride with the bullet.

[montana_charlie]

I am glad to see a poster ask himself if his question is 'stupid' before asking it.
It is often said 'there is no such thing as a stupid question', but there are ...

CM

[Seth Hawkins]

Is there a reason (some of) you are not seating the bullet onto the card wad covering the lube?