An experiment of paper cartridges in muzzleloading shotguns

[David LaPell]

I decided to try an experiment. Since paper cartridges were THE way militaries loaded flintlock and even percussion muskets up to the Civil War, I decided to see if it was possible to do the same with muzzleloading shotguns.

My first attempt was with my Pedersoli Baker shotgun, a reproduction of something used by the Confederate Cavalry in 20 gauge with 11-inch barrels. I made buck and ball rounds, wrapped up in newsprint and tied at the ends over three .310" round balls and a .570" roundball with 50 grains of FFG Triple 7. I would tear the bottom end of the paper off, pour the powder in and then take the rest of the cartridge, paper and all and ram that down the barrel. At 15 yards it proved pretty effective, I lost a couple of the .310" roundballs somewhere, but it worked really well.

https://i.imgur.com/u5mzFRZ.jpg?1

https://i.imgur.com/s4IsG6D.jpg?1

Then I tried the same with my Pedersoli 12 gauge Coach Gun with it's 20-inch barrels. I used the same three .310" and this time a .690" roundball for each round. I tied them up the same, but this time I greased the outside of each paper cartridge with Bore Butter. At 15 yards the pattern was very tight, again, a very effective load.

https://i.imgur.com/ndI5leW.jpg?1

https://i.imgur.com/8rsEs0y.jpg?1

[bedbugbilly]

Thanks for the post - interesting! I have played with paper cartridges in y flint fusillade de chases but only wihh a rb - no buckshot. Have shot rifled musket for 55 years but lately I have been having an itch to get something like a 1842 Springfield smoothbore just to play wit to try such things as you did. Your shotguns look like a lot of fun and I wouldn't want tone on the receiving end of your loads! LOL Thanks much for sharing.

[LynC2]

That's very interesting, thanks for posting it. :smile: