Which type of paper be used to make your cartridges

[JimKindred]

Re: Which type of paper be used to make your cartridges

I have used unbleeched newsprint such as you see moving companies use for packing material in a Garrett Sharps for years. One trick is to nitrate the paper before making the cartridges, you will have complete burn if you do so. I have not tried this for blanks only for live fire but it should work just as well.

Yes, I did read the entire thread. However it was talking about the 3M paper being used to make cartridges for infantry use, and I wanted to define it towards Sharps use. The reply I responded to said it was heavier than newsprint and this concerned me. I will always ask questions if safety is an issue. Sorry if this somehow bothered you. And if I can ask a simple question here, why should I dig out my car from under the snow, and go to a store to buy some, and test it? Did it really take that much energy to answer a simple question (which you could have easily ignored)? But thanks for the response anyway. It still helped - despite your being an ... about it.

[33rd VA Co. H]

Re: Which type of paper be used to make your cartridges

I have used unbleeched newsprint such as you see moving companies use for packing material in a Garrett Sharps for years. One trick is to nitrate the paper before making the cartridges, you will have complete burn if you do so. I have not tried this for blanks only for live fire but it should work just as well.

I'd be interested to hear your method for nitrateing paper. Sounds like a viable option.

[Curt Schmidt]

Re: Which type of paper be used to make your cartridges

Hallo!

I have always used nitrated papers for Sharps shooting (carbine and rifle).

IMHO and IMHE, "live firing" is a different beastie than blank firing for two reasons.
One, with a bullet in the cartridge, any bits of paper or linen ember tends to get pushed to the front of the bullet and into the barrel. And two, the temperatures and pressures in the Sharps' chamber are higher behind a bullet and destroy the cartridge better than a blank.

Although I have never encountered on emyself, or as of yet heard of any, I concede the possibility of pulp paper, and too-thick pulp paper bieng used for Sharps' blank firing possibly remaining in the chamber as the next round is inserted. However, I see this as a greater factor when the cartridge is nitrated, but the potenital, conceivable danger is a cartridge igniting with the breech open and the fingers of the shooter around it.

Curt

[The Wizard]

Re: Which type of paper be used to make your cartridges

I have a question concerning Mr. Henion's article in the "Columbia Rifles Research Compendium" Second Edition entitled "Selected Cartridge for the .58 and .68 Caliber Muskets". Is this the article refered to in this thread? Does the article in the "second edition" cover everything the article in the "first edition" cover and more?

[The Wizard]

Re: Which type of paper be used to make your cartridges

I have a question with regards to Jeff Henion's article in "The Columbia Rifles Research Compendium" 2nd Edition entitled "Selected Cartridges for the .58 and .69 Caliber Musket". Is this the article that has been mentioned in this thread? Does the article in the 2nd edition of the conpendium cover the same information plus additions that was covered in the 1st edition? Thank you.

[Pritchett Ball]

Re: Which type of paper be used to make your cartridges

I know this thread is a bit dated, but I thought it would be proper to post a photo of the different color paper I have on hand to make cartridges…

A. Typing paper
B. “Gray” colored typing paper. Note: This color is the same color as recycled newsprint I bought at Michaels!
C. Paper that came from parts shipped in where I work, a bit lighter than 3-M masking paper
D. 3-M masking paper I bought at Lowes.
E. Shipping paper I bought at a UPS store, quite thick, and darker than D & C examples, but not by much

I wish I could find a paper a bit lighter than what I made cartridge C out of. I have tried using “Ivory” colored typing paper I bought at Staples, but it’s too yellow, their “Tan” color is also too yellowish in tint.

Not having read already mentioned articles on the subject, I’m of the opinion that the 3-M masking paper comes as close as we can get readily at Hardware stores, to match originals.

I’m still looking for something better!

Kevin Dally

[mtodriscoll]

Re: Which type of paper be used to make your cartridges

...

I wish I could find a paper a bit lighter than what I made cartridge C out of. I have tried using “Ivory” colored typing paper I bought at Staples, but it’s too yellow, their “Tan” color is also too yellowish in tint.

Not having read already mentioned articles on the subject, I’m of the opinion that the 3-M masking paper comes as close as we can get readily at Hardware stores, to match originals.

I’m still looking for something better!

Kevin Dally

This may be your answer...

I use the wrapping paper that movers use to wrap dishes and glasses in when packing for a move. The sheets I have are off white in color and tear easily with the teeth. However, they are strong enough to withstand twisting and folding for loads. Very nice paper for rounds.

Avilable for purchase either at a local UHaul store or online: http://store.uhaul.com/Protective_st...Wrapping_Paper

I also use it for wrapping cartridge bundles (10 rounds + 12 caps) and for wrapping hard tack packages.
Useful stuff...

Good luck!

[Daniel]

Re: Which type of paper be used to make your cartridges

Kevin, the ordnance manual specifiys 40 weight paper. In the past I have used 40 weight kraft paper which did very well.

Dan Stewart

[lojafan]

Re: Which type of paper be used to make your cartridges

50lb drawing or "cartridge" paper as it is also known as. Some research that I've done has turned out some very heavy weighted papers used. British military I believe used a 70lb paper.

[sedlakchristopher]

Re: Which type of paper be used to make your cartridges

To get back to some of the "AUTHENTIC" undertones of the "Authentic Campaigner" as is related to this post:

Mr. Henion and I were ironically both researching this topic back in the stone ages (1999-2002ish?) when I met him at a Columbia Rifles event and was taken back by his professionalism and accomplishments.

I too, had taken a micrometer to an original and to the 3M type papers and found them equal in thickness, with again, only the fact it was a wood based paper the difference.
I don't have them here in front of me or I would give numbers, but they were damn close from what I remember, close enough I gave an out loud, NO SHIT?.

A NOTE: on Lowe's 9" or longer masking paper, the one manufacturer is a MANCO company out of Ohio with their logo a cartoon Duck (for "duck" tape). The shades DIFFER from lot to lot, so BEWARE and get the LIGHTER shades of tan... the lighter the better.

To answer Mr. O'Beirne's question, apologize it's almost 2 years later :)...
One original that I have is broken in two and the paper around the bullet was able to be undone, assuming that it had been wrapped all this time, and the INSIDE PAPER WAS THE SAME COLOR AS THE OUTSIDE... and it matched very closely the light shade lots of the Manco Co. paper.
Not definitive proof of the color, but a good start... considering.

Also, mentions of the cleaner bullets and the paper colors... without getting too far into it... we see original red, blue, white, off-white, yellowish and ordinary (normal) papers... in varying ratios throughout the war with varied rhyme and reason.... so some of those are/could be acceptable.


END STATEMENT: GET YOURSELF AN ORIGNAL CARTRIDGE, or a book with pictures or just pictures of originals (may I HIGHLY suggest also "Roundball to Rimfire: A history of Civil War Small Arms Ammunition" Volume I mainly, but II and III are good too, by Dean S. Thomas... lots of pics of originals in there.... AND MAKE YOUR CARTRIDGES LOOK LIKE THE ORIGINAL.
Refer to the Ordnance Manual for tying and trapezoids and dimensions.

Someone also mentioned wrapper labels... for US.. if you look at Thomas' Vol. I you will see that the labels disappeared almost completely except for St. Louis who did them throughout... so a PLAIN wrapper is almost universally correct.

Ok guys, Happy Rolling!

Chris Sedlak

[CHIANTI]

Re: Which type of paper be used to make your cartridges

I also use newsprint for outer and inner wrappers and card stock for powder cylinder,however if i run across that rag or linen paper will purchase and see how much difference the look and use pans out
Albert Raia

[CHIANTI]

Re: Which type of paper be used to make your cartridges

I GOT SOME SOUTHWORTH PAPER FROM OFFICE DEPOT PURE LINEN 24LB SHEETS, STILL A LITTLE THICK BUT MADE SOME cartridges anyway i realize your post is 4 yrs old but was wondering what and where is the paper you speak of at 2.00/sheet and do you happen to know weight.
Albert Raia
RAIA44@AOL.COM

[Pvt Schnapps]

Re: Which type of paper be used to make your cartridges

You might want to save the pure linen paper for writing on. I rolled some rounds from some old forms once, but only once...

[Steven Dacus]

Re: Which type of paper be used to make your cartridges

I figured this was the best place for this question even though it is quite old, however...

In trying to become as proficient with my Springfield as possible, I have been using it for hunting, target practice, etc with and without the bayonet. As mentioned before in this post, live fire is a totally different animal, however I believe my questions still doesn't change the issue in this thread.....

In rolling live cartridges with both round and conical (mini ball) bullets, I am having a hard time loading the bullet into the muzzle. The powder is no problem, however in trying to get the bullet into the muzzle, I can't seem to do it without totally unwrapping it from the paper which takes a considerable amount of time in trying to speedily load the weapon. I have tried every way I can think of by shoving the whole thing down, to removing the inner tube, but that mini ball always seems to stay in the upper part of the tube in a way that is not easy to just shove it down the muzzle. I have used the office supply linen paper and the 3m paper described in this thread, both seem too thick. If anybody can help me ensure that I am using the correct loading procedure and paper. or maybe I am just a sissy and need to shove the ball and the paper harder down the muzzle.

Your thoughts are greatly appreciated ahead of time. Thanks

[spadegrip]

Re: Which type of paper be used to make your cartridges

First you do not put the ball down the barrel with the paper still wrapped around it. If you are using the 1855 type cartridge with the rocket paper über powder cylinder, you tear the tail off pour the powder down the barrel then grasp the bullet with the thumb and forefinger and strike the cartridge across the muzzle to break the bullet free from the cartridge and powder tube. I generally break the bullet off of the cartridge with my other hand. The same procedure can be used with the 1861 type cartridge.