Rifle Ammo - How Do I?

[IsleGuy57]

I have never handled a black powder weapon, so I have little knowledge of the handling, preparation or care of the ammo for these weapons. Any information I get for now will likely be from the net. I will get some reference books when I can get some.

What should I know as far as rolling rounds, kit that I will need, that sort of thing? Next month I will be going to a Camp of Instruction with my unit but I'd much prefer to have at least some basic knowledge.

What say you pards?

[tenfed1861]

Possible the most important advice is don't use real bullets. Just get the paper ladies and pour 60 grains of powder down each one. To close, just fold the end over and press firmly down. Don't staple it, use wax, or anything like that. Just your basic reenactor round. For packing, you'll have to check elsewhere. This seems to have a decent diagram to help: http://www.63rdtennessee.org/Documents/Bundling%20Paper%20Cartridges.pdf
I personally like to stick one square of toilet paper down each lady before I pour the powder. It gives the cartridge a more authentic look. When I go to load, I just pour the powder down the barrel and the toilet paper stays at the bottom. Doesn't come out at all. This is just me,though. No offense, but you seem like a fresh fish, so I would avoid doing this until you have a season or two under your belt. Hope this helps some.

[jademonkey]

Hey Bernie,

Welcome to the life! I think there are a couple of articles that can help you out http://www.reamsstation.netfirms.com/Federal/imprstdsect8.htm

Also, http://www.33wis.com/articles/pdf/Making%20Authentic%20Cartridges.pdf

and

http://www.33wis.com/articles/pdf/Making%20%20Authentic%20Cartridge%20Packs.pdf

There is also an article put out by a member of the Lazy Jacks, a UK based Campaigner unit, that is excellent but the link I have saved does not work. That one is worth searching out.

Let me know if you have any other questions - always happy to lend a hand. -Garrett

[jurgitemvaletem]

First you must consider your unit's preferences and your own. If your unit is of the mainstream, a simple paper lady will do the job. If your unit is of the progressive, you will be required to make the more authentic tied rounds. I personally prefer the tied ones as they add more to the impression, however insignificant they may be.

If you choose the plain paper lady route, it will be easy to make them yourself. All you would need would be a .50 dowel rod, or the cardboard from a hanger, paper which you cut into a trapezoidal form. All you have to do is cut the paper, roll it over the rod and crimp it at the bottom. These are also readily available for purchase from many purveyors.

If you choose the more authentic route, you will have to put much more time and material into it, but it will be much more satisfactory.

here is a link to the website that helped me learn to make the correct rounds.

http://www.33wis.com/articles/pdf/Making%20Authentic%20Cartridges.pdf

hanks,
Jurgitem Valetem

[Army30th]

I learned to make correct rounds by looking at photographs and examples of actual ammunition. If you want to get technical about it, just cutting out a trapezoid, rolling it around a dowel, pouring powder down and then folding it, is discussed at length in the Ordnance Manual which is available online at the Making of America website.

Trapezoids are different sizes for each caliber of ammunition. I use a 5/8" dowel that's been sanded a little to the inside diameter of an Armi Sport reproduction Enfield barrel. I cut my paper from masking paper (purchased on a roll from Harbor Freight Tools for about 4 bucks), tie them with string, stuff with a "fake" bullet, charge with powder, and fold.

The Lazy Jacks website article about making cartridges described how to make a rolling table with folding box attached. It had a choking cord with toggle, and really allowed you to experience how it was done by the ladies and kiddies in those ammo houses long ago.

Depending on what type of group you join, or how authentic you wish to aspire to be, will ultimately determine what way you make your rounds. For me, if it doesn't look right, doesn't feel right, then it's not right.

[tompritchett]

Next month I will be going to a Camp of Instruction with my unit but I'd much prefer to have at least some basic knowledge.

When you get there, ask one of your NCO's to show you. For now, I would suggest that you devote your attention to learning as much as you can about the School of the Soldier and the Manual of Arms. Only after you have learned these, will you even be allowed to fire yet alone need to actually learn how to roll rounds. Also while you are at your unit's COI, have an NCO describe to you how to clean and take care of your weapon as it will be the largest single investment you will likely make in this hobby. Finally, get some phone numbers you can call when you have questions.

[jurgitemvaletem]

The Lazy Jacks website article about making cartridges described how to make a rolling table with folding box attached. It had a choking cord with toggle, and really allowed you to experience how it was done by the ladies and kiddies in those ammo houses long ago.
.

I actualy tried to access my link to the lazy Jacks website to list as a referance when answering this fellows question, but was unable to do so.

thanks,
Jurgitem valetem

[Army30th]

I saved that link as a word doc and picture file so I could access it again.

[IsleGuy57]

Thanks for the replies guys.

The links will be very useful. I do have to say though, that while I may be a "new fish" in the hobby, I'm not a total newcomer to firearms. Not long before I moved here, I retired from the Canadian Army Reserves after 23 years service. As such, I'm quite familiar with weapons safety and proper handling.

A visual representation of the information is much better than a verbal description. That is why I looked for input where I could find it on the web. I want to have some familiarity with the subject matter before I go to the COI next month. There is no such thing as too much knowledge.

Thanks again

[jda3rd]

It's interesting to me that when folks here are looking for them, they often or refer to pre-rolled cartridge tubes as "paper ladies". I thought a bit of clarification might be in order.

Mary Whisante, "The Paper Lady" sutler from Alexandria, Alabama, makes paper cartridge tubes. Her sutlery has been called "The Paper Lady" since the early 1980's, when she began making cartridge tubes. They come 250 to the box, and are available from a number of sutlers at events, or at her sutlery when she is at an event. She mostly deals in ladies goods, but also carries her tubes.

"Paper Ladies" as a term for cartridge tubes should, I think, apply only to hers, but it seems to have become a generic term. I just thought she ought to get credit, since it's what she started out doing so long ago.


Because she's a lifelong friend, hers are the only ones I buy.

Frank Brower

I know I posted this information a week or so ago in the sutler area, but I wanted to let y'all know Mary will be at Brooksville, and at Olustee.

[toptimlrd]

It's interesting to me that when folks here are looking for them, they often or refer to pre-rolled cartridge tubes as "paper ladies". I thought a bit of clarification might be in order.

Mary Whisante, "The Paper Lady" sutler from Alexandria, Alabama, makes paper cartridge tubes. Her sutlery has been called "The Paper Lady" since the early 1980's, when she began making cartridge tubes. They come 250 to the box, and are available from a number of sutlers at events, or at her sutlery when she is at an event. She mostly deals in ladies goods, but also carries her tubes.

"Paper Ladies" as a term for cartridge tubes should, I think, apply only to hers, but it seems to have become a generic term. I just thought she ought to get credit, since it's what she started out doing so long ago.


Because she's a lifelong friend, hers are the only ones I buy.

Frank Brower

I know I posted this information a week or so ago in the sutler area, but I wanted to let y'all know Mary will be at Brooksville, and at Olustee.

I think Mary should be pleased that her "brand" has become the "Kleenex" of cartridge tubes. The fact that many refer to tubes as "Paper Ladies" has pretty much established her as the standard in ready made tubes.

Before I started making my own, hers were the ones I used as well.

[bob 125th nysvi]

for reenacting and hand rolled rounds for living history/live firing for safety reasons.

Although the chances of confusing a live round with a blank at the reenactments I go to is small because your not supposed to put anything down the barrel the use of two different types of rounds prevents any kind of mistake.

The smaller paper ladies won't take a bullet and so when loading up the tins it is easy to tell the difference and I KNOW I have no live rounds.

If for some reason I pull a rolled round out of the box (maybe left over from a previous event or 'borrowed' from a pard) during a reenactment I know instinctively to put it back because it could be a live round.

Yeah I know ... but I walk away from every engagement knowing I wasn't shooting anything I wasn't supposed to at the other side.

Bob Sandusky
Co C 125th NYSVI
Esperance, NY

[madisontigers]

Bob,

That's a smart approach, and at least you don't have to worry about wounding anyone. Bernie, if you like, I can show you a few tricks I have learned, in regards to properly cleaning black powder weaponry.