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paper cartridges
MIKE WISKEY
Member Posts: 10,043 ✭✭✭✭
I recently got a sharps 1863 breech loader rifle (replica), these can use a 'paper' cartridge. it came with a supply of these as well as a bunch of the special bullets. I want to try loading some but what do you use for the 'paper' part?
Comments
Hair curling paper.
OK.............didn't even know there was sutch a thing
I have seen magician's 'flash paper' used - little to almost no residue. Here are some sources - including one from Walmart of all places. Best Regards - AQH
dreamlandmagic.com
https://icklepicklemagic.com/index.php?route=product/search&search=flash paper
www.walmart.com/ip/Flash-Paper-Sheets-2-x3-20-sheets/195854953?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=1595&adid=22222222222000000000&wmlspartner=wmtlabs&wl0=e&wl1=s&wl2=c&wl3=10352200394&wl4=pla-1103028060075&wl5=&wl6=&wl7=&wl10=Walmart&wl11=Online&wl12=195854953_10000001594&wl14=Magican flash paper&veh=sem&msclkid=234f2c6013ee1639acd44c946f379a94&gclid=234f2c6013ee1639acd44c946f379a94&gclsrc=3p.ds
American Rifleman did considerable experimenting years ago and the last article I could find was in March 1977. Basically they used 16# (approx. weight of a ream [500 sheets]) bond w/25% ragstock, which may not be readily found now. This paper is just over .003 thick and wrapped twice around the bullet, increasing the diameter about .013 and they reduced the bullet diameter to accommodate. There is much more and I suggest going on Youtube and watching Midway's Larry Potterfield Paper Patching video to get a better idea.
"There is much more and I suggest going on Youtube and watching Midway's Larry Potterfield Paper Patching video to get a better idea."................this isn't about "paper patching"; it is about making a combustible paper 'cartridge' for use in a breech loading Sharps percussion rifle.
first you insert the 'cartridge' into the chamber then as you raise the breech block the 'tail' gets cut off exposing the powder to the flash channel. the paper is supposed to be burned up as the rifle fires.
got a 'workable' solution.
Load one with BP and the other with MJ. Load and fire for the occasion😲
the check out girl at walmart did give me a funny look 😉
Yep, I've used cigarette rolling papers in BP firearms for years and they work excellent.....cheap too and readily available.
"Never do wrong to make a friend----or to keep one".....Robert E. Lee
Called a fatty round!
The paper needs to be very combustible. We used to soak thin paper in a nitrate sollution, potassium nitrate, silver nitrate, etc. Then dry it in the sun.
Why did the early Sharps have to cut the whole darn back of the cartridge off? It seems the results would have been as good if they had something like a Remington Rolling Block with something to pierce the back of the cartridge attached to the breechblock around the flashhole. The paper might even have formed a slight seal where barrel met breechblock if only for a split second until it burned up.
Of course I don't know, but it being a military arm, ease of loading rapidly and an uncomplicated mechanism come to mind.