Very happy.

[Don McDowell]

Gave the Old West .444 bullets their trial by fire at the Wasserburger Creedmoor today.
I set the mould to throw a bullet at 510 grs from 20-1, it was wrapped in paper mill 9 lb onionskin. set atop 72 grs goex 2f express, .060 fiber wad 1/8 inch lubed felt wad .060 fiber wad, all crammed into Remington cases torched off with CCI large rifle primers. The entire mess was shot out of my CSA 75 45-70. While there's no groups to show the number of hits on the traditional steel targets at 800,900 and 1000 yds , in somewhat less than "ideal" conditions, is EXtremely incouraging.
Wiping with one damp patch ( dampened in an 8 oz jar with 1 35 cc syringe full of simple green and 1 of tap water) would leave the bore nice clean and ready to fire.
The final diameter of the bullet is .451, and the rifle chamber is just the way it left the factory.

[Doc Highwall]

If I hear and read much more on this paper patching I just might have to give it a try. Glad to see you are getting good results keep it up.

[montana_charlie]

I set the mould to throw a bullet at 510 grs from 20-1, it was wrapped in paper mill 9 lb onionskin..

I accidently learned something a couple of weeks ago about paper. It might be of interest to you (Don) if you are using the Paper Mill Store 25% rag 9 lb. onionskin.
I've been collecting data about various papers just to have a 'list' that might be helpful when somebody is looking for paper of a particular thickness.

The Paper Mill Store used to list 25% and 100% rag content in the 9 lb. weight.
Checking with shooters who use it, I found out that the 25% measures .0024"...which is the same as the 9 lb. onionskin BACO has been selling.

Their 100% rag is .002"

Well, about a month ago, somebody bought the entire stock of Paper Mill Store 25% rag paper.
(I have a sneaking hunch it was BACO who bought it...)

So, if you're using the 25%, and have a lifetime supply, you are set.
But, if you expect to get resupplied from The Paper Mill Store, you're gonna be out of luck unless the slightly thinner 100% will work for you.

You can still get the .0024" paper from BACO, but the cost is double.

CM

[Don McDowell]

No I always buy 100% cotton or linen paper if given the choice.

[montana_charlie]

In that case...
Could you verify that The Paper Mill Store 100% cotton 9 lb. onionskin is .002" in thickness?
I only have that from one shooter, and I like to have at least two sources before I put the data in The List.

CM

[Don McDowell]

My calipers say it's just a smidge under .002

[montana_charlie]

My paper (a totally different brand) mikes at .0019". But, I know that it adds .005" to a bullet when wrapped on wet...which really means more than the initial thickness.

How much does your paper add?

CM

[Don McDowell]

Depending on how good of job I do at wadding the lead and the paper up, it ends up adding a scosh over .006. Finished size on these are not quite .451. Just makes a nice snug fit when you chamber one, and if you withdraw the bullet the lands will leave an ever slight impression on the paper.

[Don McDowell]

[303Guy]

Oooh! Those look good! That 'crimped' over tail is sooo neat!

Does your rifles leade basically start at the chamber transition?

[Don McDowell]

Getting the base folded over is the simple part with a hollow base bullet. Getting the paper to just the right moisture content makes really smooth corners and crimp looks.