Wonder Wads

[Mark whiz]

Ed,
I believe Cabelas still sells an unlubed fiber wad that is made for either shotgunning or BP cartridge use. I really doubt that using a poly wad would be a good thing as plastic melts and leaves residue to be cleaned up later

 

[g.willikers]

Somewhere, on one of the blackpowder forums, is an article on making wads out of stiff gasket paper from the auto parts store.
It does seem to work, both lubricated and dry. There didn't seem to be any difference in accuracy or barrel buildup as compared to wonder wads and were definitely less mess, in the summer heat, than grease.

 

[dstorm1911]

The wads I make are from the felt used for making cowboy hats, I then mix up the 1/3 paraffin 1/3 Bees wax 1/3 mutton tallow melt it all together then drop in the wads that I cut from the heavy felt let em simmer till they stop bubbling then scoop em out let cool after they have cooled then melt some straight paraffin and just dip em very quickly in a strainer they cool very fast with a nice wax shell, they are now no mess lube wads as long as its not too hot at least, I then use the same punch to cut card stock wads...

I use a hollow straw made a thick heavy plastic straw put the cardstock wad on first then the lube wad then a .454 ball roll cig paper around tight the straw and whole mess twist the end tight over the ball, now turn it over and pour powder in through the tube for my .44s thats 35 grns of FFF pull out straw and twist paper down tight on powder trim off excess paper

When I'm loading I just give it a fast flick between finger and thumb to open the bottom ram it down loads very fast and always positive ignition

 

[Ed Gallop]

Thanks Mark. Cabelas has "Vegetable Fiber Wads" that are perfect size and material for $17.99 per 1,000. That's about 10 per penny. It isn't worth making wads or using fillers. Ed.