I didn't know which was the appropriate forum for this but put it here since it is paper patch/BP related even it if isn't "cartridge".
I've had an interest in shooting paper patch for a while and have done some reading, watched some videos, etc. as well as done some reading on the paper patched "Pritchett" bullet out of .577 Enfields.
So this is what I have - two rifled muskets - a Armi Sport 1855 Rifled Musket and a 1862 Remington Zouave.
I have a 575-213 mold and a 577-611 mold (minie ball). (I have the 575-414 SWC as well). My 575-213 seems to drop right at 575 and seems to be a perfect fit in the 1855 - so no real interest in shooting PP out of that unless I got one of NOE's Pritchett molds.
My 1863 Remington Zouave is a different story. I purchased it about 1963 or so - a good quality used rifle but unmarked as to manufacturer (cost me a whopping $65.00 back then - a lot of yard mowing for a kid to pay for it! - especially at $1.50 a yard at that time with a push mower!).
So - I shot the Zouave a lot in N-SSA when I was active in it. I always had to get oversize minies when I could get them. The barrel that came with the rifle was the traditional 3 groove but if I remember correctly, it measured about .583 to .584. It did fairly well but if I had to use minies cast from my 575-213 - it was guaranteed to "key hole" (which was to be expected) even though I could knock off clays on the board or flower pots.
Last year, I had a chance to buy a Navy Arms Zoli Zouave and I pulled the barrel to replace the original barrel on my Zouave (parted out the rest of the Zoli) - bore is within spec and the 575-213 fits well as dropped. BUT, I still have the old larger bore rifle barrel and I am thinking it might be a good candidate to try paper patched minies out of.
My question is this - if the bore of that barrel measures out to be .583 - .584, will my 575-213 minie balls work with paper patching - i.e. - is the difference between .575 and .583 (.008) - figuring that they would need to be able to slide down the .584 bore - be alright to use? I'm guessing i would try rag onion skin that is .002 or similar and a single wrap should expand the diameter to .579 or a double wrap to .583 (in theory). I do have sizers I could push the paper patched minies through if necessary. Then I would dip patched minie in very hot BP lube - if I did it that way, should they be sized before or after lubing the PP?
Your thoughts or advice?
In looking and watching in regards to some others doing paper patched minies, I figure the bottom edged would be wet and tucked under the skirt and in to the hollow base slightly which would still allow for lube in the base. One source said they had trouble with the patch sticking to the minie so they made three slits in the patch after it was in place and dried so it would separate in flight from the minie. What disadvantage is caused if the paper patch remains on the minie until it impacts? Key holing or other?
Or, would I be better off buying one of the NOE Pritchett molds and which size if I went that route so that I could try it out of both bore sizes - .576 or so in the Ami Sport 1855 and the Zouave with the .583 - 584 bore?
At what point does too small of a minie and too thick of a paper patch become ineffective in a rifled musket?
I know that a lot of it is going to be "trial and error" but I'm looking forward to giving the paper patching a try - just need some input from those who shoot paper patched in rifled muskets. Thanks for any information and helpful hints you might have!
Jim