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Thread: Source for Kapok? Alternatives?

  1. #1
    Boolit Master

    Dutchman's Avatar
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    Source for Kapok? Alternatives?

    I'm trying to plan some future experiments.

    Lowest price I've found is $12 a pound.

    Anybody use Grex or Super Grex?

    Is there a nice in-depth topic already? Link?

    thanks
    Dutch

  2. #2
    Boolit Master Skipper's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Dutchman View Post
    I'm trying to plan some future experiments.

    Lowest price I've found is $12 a pound.

    Anybody use Grex or Super Grex?

    Is there a nice in-depth topic already? Link?

    thanks
    Dutch
    Here's a 5 lb bundle for about 8 bucks a pound

    http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...=1&*entries*=0

    Here's one for 7 bucks

    http://www.diynaturalbedding.com/product/kapok-fiber/
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  3. #3
    Boolit Master Yodogsandman's Avatar
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  4. #4
    Boolit Master

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    Quote Originally Posted by Yodogsandman View Post
    Exactly what I needed, thanks.

    Dutch

  5. #5
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    A pound of kapok is a lot of kapok!

  6. #6
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    Garage sale throw pillow. Life time supply.

    Be sure it has the right stuffing.

    I got mine from the bottom of my recliner.

    .
    First reload: .22 Hornet. 1956.
    More at: http://reloadingtips.com/

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  7. #7
    Moderator Emeritus / Trusted loob groove dealer

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    This is a great time of year to collect cat tails. Get your own for free!
    The solid soft lead bullet is undoubtably the best and most satisfactory expanding bullet that has ever been designed. It invariably mushrooms perfectly, and never breaks up. With the metal base that is essential for velocities of 2000 f.s. and upwards to protect the naked base, these metal-based soft lead bullets are splendid.
    John Taylor - "African Rifles and Cartridges"

    Forget everything you know about loading jacketed bullets. This is a whole new ball game!


  8. #8
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    Kapok used to be used in old fashioned life jackets for boats. If you can find any of those, you can usually get them for the asking. That's as cheap as you can get.

  9. #9
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    Cat tails or older life vest are chucked full of it. I wait until the swamps are frozen over and then harvest my stash.

  10. #10
    Boolit Master zuke's Avatar
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    I picked up an old lifejacket by a garbage can on garbage day

  11. #11
    Boolit Master
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    Been using a small pinch of cotton over all my reduced powder and plinker loads. Never thought of Cat Tails or Kapok fibers.

  12. #12
    Boolit Master dudel's Avatar
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    Kapok is still used in life jackets (PFD) http://www.treehugger.com/culture/ke...kapok-pfd.html


    I'd check the local thrift shops for a life jacket. The Kapok ones will feel softer and more pillow like than the foam or cork ones. One PFD should give you enough kapok for quite a few loads.

    eBay also has Kapok in a variety of forms (vintage life jackets and pillow fill).

  13. #13
    Boolit Master

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    I gotta share this about cattails. When I was a kid living in Western NY, an aunt visited from TN. She, being a "crafty" person proceeded to make a floral arrangement including several mature cattails. It wasn't very long before we noticed a lot of midges flying around indoors......in December.
    The floral arrangement got a new home-outdoors.
    The moral of the story is be sure your cattails aren't bringing unwanted visitors.
    Regards
    Bill
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  14. #14
    Boolit Master

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    Quote Originally Posted by zuke View Post
    I picked up an old lifejacket by a garbage can on garbage day
    I've never used or seen Kapok. How would I recognize it if I found a seat cushion?
    John
    W.TN

  15. #15
    Boolit Master
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    I use polyester fill in a 45/70 and have not had any trouble. Easy to get at a fabric store, Wal Mart etc. Barrel stays clean even with plain base bullets.

  16. #16
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    remember that there is a difference between a filler and a buffer.
    stuff like Kapok, Dacron, and dryer lint are fillers and powder positioners.

    Buffers are stuff like Grex and Puff-lon, they are used to protect the base of the bullet, and to hold everything in place for more consistent ignition in rounds that have higher powder amounts but poor ignition consistency.

    sometimes the two are used in conjunction, where the filler is used to contain the buffer in position behind the bullets base.

  17. #17
    Boolit Master
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    While my polyester fill may not be a buffer it certainly does an admirable job on keeping the barrel clean, which to me says a lot about it. Plus it is easy to obtain.

  18. #18
    Boolit Mold RP3543's Avatar
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    Dutchman,
    Try this place...
    http://www.zafu.net/buckwheat.html
    $6/lb - I bought some several years ago...a pound goes a long way.

  19. #19
    Boolit Master

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    Quote Originally Posted by RP3543 View Post
    Dutchman,
    Try this place...
    http://www.zafu.net/buckwheat.html
    $6/lb - I bought some several years ago...a pound goes a long way.
    I've bookmarked this website, thanks. I have a sample of kapok coming.

    Dutch

  20. #20
    Boolit Buddy
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    I the early 1990`s I was using a futon that contained kapok, found this out after I bought a pound of kapok.

    Horace

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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