Paper patched bullets

[Chuck N. Lead]

I have an 1874 Billie Dixon sharps (repro.) chambered for the .45-70. I've heard of paper patching, seen pictures of paper patched bullets and even saw a "how to make a paper patch". I have yet to see an explanation as to the purpose or benefit of this procedure.
I welcome all opinions, explanations and interpretations!

[quigleysharps4570]

Never have tried any myself. But that paper-patch would give a better seal and prevent leading of the barrel if I was to venture a guess. Is your Billy Dixon a Pedersoli?

[Chuck N. Lead]

Yes indeed! It is a fine example of quality workmanship from the fit and finish, the hand cut checkering to excellent barrel. Pedersoli makes a fine rifle.

[quigleysharps4570]

I agree 100% about those Pedersoli rifles. If you'll go to www.shilohrifle.com go to the trophyroom, scroll toward the bottom, you'll see a guy by the name of Brent Danielson with an antelope shot off of sticks. This guy has a site to go to that has an interesting article on his paperpatched bullets. While you're at the Shiloh site check it all out, pretty interesting, especially that trophyroom.

[Nazgul]

Recommend the book by Paul Matthews "The paper jacket". The purpose is that the lead never contacts the bore. A properly sized bullet, the critical dimension, is very accurate. Soft lead projectiles can be driven near jacketed speeds because the lead never touches the bore. The Sharps Rifle company never sold anything but paper jacketed rounds.

I have used two moulds for a 45-70 that I have. An RCBS 530gr RN and a custom 475 gr spire point. Tried some of the RCBS cast of a hardening alloy, water dropped and fired from my 458 Win Mag. They were accurate and fun.

[Chuck N. Lead]

I appreciate everyone's reply. does a paper patched bullet have to be slightly smaller than the standard sized lead projectile. Can this be used for a 30.06?

[Nazgul]

If you do a search for Rapine bullet moulds I seem to recall they listed a 30 cal paper patch mould. Typically they are cast to the diameter of the lands and then patched. The moulds I have used for 45 cal are .450" when cast. After patching they are .460"+ depending on the paper used. I push them through a Lee sizing die of .459" after lubing them. Found that heating the die with a heat gun eases the operation. This tightens the patch and smoothes the paper.

The Paul Matthews book covers it in detail.

[Chuck N. Lead]

Thanks again for the info. I&#39;ll have to check out the book. This website is awesome. I wish I would have found you guys a long time ago. http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smiley-faces-toast-beers.gif

[Tank]

Chuck you can&#39;t go wrong with a teaspoon of peanutbutter down the bore also. http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smiley-devil.gif http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smiley-gunfighter-yellow.gif

[Chuck N. Lead]

Originally posted by Tank@Jan 12 2005, 07:58 PM
Chuck you can&#39;t go wrong with a teaspoon of peanutbutter down the bore also. http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smiley-devil.gif http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smiley-gunfighter-yellow.gif
"AAAYYYY!!!!!! I gotta some peanut butta for you sanguich you mudda fu$%a..." http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smiley-far-sdie-guy-yellin.gif

[Pottsy]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div>
Technical Talk: Paper Patched Bullets[/b]


At one time no one would have given a second look at a cartridge that was loaded with a paper patched bullet. These cartridges and bullets were part of everyday life, not taken for granted, but not considered out of the ordinary.

For the hunter the paper patched bullet provided clean, reliable one shot kills as the pure lead bullets penetrated well and expanded flawlessly. For the target shooter the paper patched bullet gave fine accuracy without leading. European armies marched off to glory confident that the ammunition they carried would not fail them.

Then the metal jacketed bullet appeared. The paper-patched bullet was quickly forgotten. Why this happened is partly because of the development of the semi and full automatic weapon. As the military of the world armed its troops with these fast firing weapons the bullet and cartridge had to be able to withstand the rough handling in the feeding mechanism of the self loading gun. The metal-jacketed bullet was without doubt superior for this purpose.

In addition the caliber of the guns constantly decreased making applying the paper patch more difficult. At the same time the need to produce millions of cartridges in the shortest time possible and at the least cost became a critical requirement. Since the paper patch is usually applied by hand production simply couldn&#39;t meet the demand.

Sporting arms development tends to follow advances and trends in the military, so the metal jacketed bullet quickly took over the target and hunting ammunition used by the sportsman. The paper patched bullet was relegated to the museum or forgotten corner of the loading room.

And yet is it any less effective than it was in earlier days? Game of all types has been taken with this type of bullet. Deer, elk, Kudu, Gemsbock have all been successfully hunted with the pure lead bullet wrapped in paper. Just as lion, tigers and other dangerous game have fallen to it. For Cape buffalo, elephant, or other heavy game a hardened paper patched bullet was used with results equaling or surpassing the metal-jacketed bullet.

For the target shooter the paper patched bullet gave fine results and still can. This bullet is at home on a 100 range or a 1,000-yard range. Choose the cartridge to suit the competition and remember that the paper patched bullet isn&#39;t limited to cartridges such as the .50-110-450. A paper patched thirty caliber will give surprisingly good results.

Another consideration to ponder is that the paper-patched bullet is made with materials that will always be available. On the other hand commercial bullet jackets have always been expensive and the supply has always been uncertain. Those who use only metal-jacketed bullets can, overnight, be at the mercy of the big bullet and ammunition makers. Will they make the bullet you need and at a price you can afford?

What is a paper-patched bullet? In short it is simply a bullet that uses a paper jacket in place of the metal jacket. The paper jacket serves the same purpose as the metal one: to prevent leading of the gun bore and to allow higher velocities.

Properly applied the paper jacket or patch will prevent leading and do so without leaving any other fouling to be removed. Velocities that can be achieved with the paper jacket are respectable. A velocity of 2,200 feet per second (fps) is possible and this can be increased to 2,500 fps in some rifles. The paper patched bullet isn&#39;t limited to blackpowder velocities.

Why is this bullet called "paper patched"? It&#39;s hard to say at this point in time. Probably this came from the use of the patch on the round lead ball of the Kentucky rifle. A cloth patch was applied to the round ball as it was loaded to better seal the bore, prevent leading, and improve accuracy. Since the paper wrapper on the improved cylindrical bullet serves the same purpose why not use the same terminology? In fact, for a short time, metal-jacketed bullets were referred to as being metal patched.

Whatever one chooses to call the paper-patched bullet it really is a jacketed bullet, a different jacket material, but jacketed none-the-less. One you can make, use at less cost, and without concern about jacket supplies not being available.

---------------------------------

The above is a cut and paste from

RCE Co (http://www.rceco.com/techtalk.htm)

Richard Corbin&#39;s web site.



Why do people paper patch ...


Why do people use a sabot ---

Some folk&#39;s paper patch becouse the bullet&#39;s thay have are a bit to small and there the only type/kind thay have .

Some folk&#39;s paper patch becouse it&#39;s a bit cleaner and less fowling in the barrel

When you paper patch remmber you must weigh the paper and the lead slug/bullet
together to get the right weight . So if the paper weigh&#39;s 25 grain&#39;s and your bullet weigh&#39;s 225grain&#39;s you load it like a 250 grain bullet.

Decade&#39;s ago i used rolling paper on my bullet&#39;s..

Contact Richard Corbin 1-541-512-0440

Or email Riachard at

richard@rceco.com




Pottsy

[Chuck N. Lead]

Excellent information Pottsy. Thanks!!!

[scr83jp]

Go to http://www.shilohsharps.com (turnup the sound)in Big Timber,MT off of I 90.Sure would like to have one,I owned a Rem Rolling Block conversion in 45-70 Schuetzen Rifle with a Unertyl Target scope,way too heavy to carry hunting with a navy arms octagon barrel.