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Thread: Milkweed fleece as Case Filler

  1. #41
    Boolit Master AntiqueSledMan's Avatar
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    Hello BudRow,

    I can't believe I missed this one,
    A couple of Gent's over on the Cas City Forum got me started on Biodegradable Packaging Peanuts.
    They are free and show up on the front step from time to time.
    To check if they are Biodegradable just run a little water over one, if it disappears it's Biodegradable.
    I cut the length I need with a Razor Knife, roll it to fit the case.
    Some times one can see them burning in flight, might be an issue in dry conditions.

    AntiqueSledMan.

  2. #42
    Boolit Buddy Gobeyond's Avatar
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    Yah my buddy tore up a pillow and gave me some. But if you want to be period authentic...

  3. #43
    Boolit Grand Master 303Guy's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Edward View Post
    20 yrs I"Ve used dacron as a filler IT DOES NOT MELT/ See Larry Gibsons sticky on use of dacron /how and why ! Try not to give bad info on dacron it makes it hard for the one asking!/Ed
    It melts. It doesn't always melt but sometimes it does. I have collected the melted beads from my catcher. That said, it does take the right conditions to melt it. I've only been able to melt it into round beads but usually it just blows out as fluff. At least I think it does - I haven't filtered the catch medium or checked the bunched rag in a while which is how I find the beads of the stuff.
    Rest In Peace My Son (01/06/1986 - 14/01/2014)

    ''Assume everything that moves is a human before identifying as otherwise''

  4. #44
    Boolit Buddy
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    If you do load smokeless into any large capacity black powder cartridge case, you will need to use a filler, to keep the smokeless powder down at the bottom of the case next to the primer.
    If you are using 5744, this is a flat our necessity, as 5744 will not ignite reliably unless the powder is up against the primer.
    I learnt the how to load black powder cartridges with smokeless powder from a old timer over 60 years ago, he was in his 70's then.
    Back in the day, they used horse hair as a filler to keep the powder down against the primer.
    Horses are not readily available today, so I found a substitute, that being cat hair.
    Just brush the cat and get the fine "guard hair".
    The stuff makes excellent filler, as it is very bulky, weighs next to nothing, burns to a fine ash, and no it does not stink of burned hair.
    I shoot indoors, as a public range all the time, and no one has ever made comment "that smells like burnt hair".
    I use cat hair in the 577/450, 577 Snider, 11mm Gras, 11mm Murata, 43 Mauser, 43 Spanish and the Turkish Peabody.

  5. #45
    Boolit Mold
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    I have found that raw sheep wool works well. It was used in the original loadings of the Martini-Henry. I use it for all my BP loads that are less than a full case.

  6. #46
    Boolit Buddy
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    How about tow (flax fiber) as was used as a wad/patch for flintlocks? See Track of the Wolf for supply.

  7. #47
    Boolit Grand Master
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    OMG.....................Dacron filler at Walmart is dirt cheap. How cheap are you? I have a bag I bought in 2012 and still have at least 1/2 of it left. Clean, convenient to acquire (every tiny berg in American has a Walmart these days), and works perfectly as fillers.

    It only takes a tiny bit to do the job.

    banger

  8. #48
    Boolit Buddy Gobeyond's Avatar
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    I’ve used Dacron seems all right. In light loads like unique in 43 Mauser keeps the powder by the primer. But how do you keep the boolit from falling in on top of it?

    I’ve used cornmeal, smells good, not necessary unless your trying to save money. I like a full load of black with or without my lead sled.

    And hear this , you guys are a kick to listen to.

  9. #49
    Boolit Master MarkP's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Kosh75287 View Post
    Interesting to learn that ANY part of the milkweed plant has value. Besides being a haven for the ecologically important Monarch butterfly, I always thought the plant was of little or no value.
    Also used for stuffing for life jackets in WWII; kids were asked to pick the pods and bring them to school for the war.

  10. #50
    Boolit Master
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    Ever since reading Grahame Wright's book, "Loading the British Double Rifle" I have been a user and proponent of open cell foam filler. Upon firing it disintegrates, basically into nothingness.

    Sherman Bell in his pressure work on fillers found that cotton balls loosely packed gave the least pressure rise, dacron was next then open cell foam. Solid wads of any kind, cork, fiber, cardboard, doesn't matter, all gave the highest pressure rise and were strongly discouraged.

    The foam is easily cut to any diameter with a cartridge case with the head cut off and mouth sharpened then inserted into a battery drill. Then it can be cut to the required length, if necessary.
    "In general, the art of government is to take as much money as possible from one class of citizens and give it to another class of citizens" Voltaire'

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  11. #51
    Boolit Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by sharps4590 View Post
    Ever since reading Grahame Wright's book, "Loading the British Double Rifle" I have been a user and proponent of open cell foam filler. Upon firing it disintegrates, basically into nothingness.

    Sherman Bell in his pressure work on fillers found that cotton balls loosely packed gave the least pressure rise, dacron was next then open cell foam. Solid wads of any kind, cork, fiber, cardboard, doesn't matter, all gave the highest pressure rise and were strongly discouraged.

    The foam is easily cut to any diameter with a cartridge case with the head cut off and mouth sharpened then inserted into a battery drill. Then it can be cut to the required length, if necessary.
    There are a lot of types of open-cell foam. I take it you are thinking of something like floral foam, used to make flower arrangements. I have been using it as well. I cut it 3/8" and then again with the case mouth before pushing it down onto the powder and collapsing it with a dowel. Is this what you do? Or do you fill the case with a much thicker wad?

  12. #52
    Boolit Master
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    I use the lint from the clothes dryer. Nothing to buy, and a semi-endless supply.
    For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow. Ecclesiastes 1:18
    He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind: and the fool become servant to the wise of heart. Proverbs 11:29
    ...Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of my brethren, ye have done it unto me. Matthew 25:40


    Carpe SCOTCH!

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Abbreviations used in Reloading

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