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Thread: Sharps cartridges

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Posts
    59

    Default Sharps cartridges

    I recently purchased a sharps carbine in 54 caliber. I have read quite a few different ways of making cartridges but i am not sure which method to use. Does anyone have any preference or a method that works well?

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    Fort Wayne, IN, far from the sea
    Posts
    173

    Default

    I use curler paper, glued with a glue stick along one edge, rolled around an appropriate-sized dowel and cut so a flap can be folded over. This too is glue sticked and folded over. This is shoved into a hole in a board and removed from the dowel. The tube is then filled with about 50 grains of powder and filled more with Cream of Wheat. Top of tube is twisted closed.

    These are placed twisted end first in the chamber. Hot caps will burn through the curler paper.
    Bob Dispenza
    US Naval Landing Party (www.usnlp.org)
    Navy and Marine Living History Association
    (www.navyandmarine.org)

    "George, you may be thankful that you can go to school instead of having the school houses used as Hospitals…And if you never see me again, remember that my advice was never to throw away three years of the best of youthful life in hunting for men with intent to kill."
    William Clark Allen, Company K, 72nd Indiana Volunteers, December 21, 1862

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Location
    Monessen PA
    Posts
    89

    Default Blank Sharps rounds

    'afternoon,

    I use standard tubes (similar to musket tubes) with 70g of FFg and the tail twisted. These resemble the earlier war rounds, generally referred to as clip-tail rounds, because the closing breech cuts the tail off exposing the powder (if you do it right, very little powder is lost). You do need to make sure to blow away the tail and any loose powder before firing, otherwise it can flash in your face.

    http://www.berdansharpshooters.com/u...php?f=32&t=114 references a round similar to what Mr. Dispenza makes, although it doesn't sound as if any filler is used. Somewhere on the Berdan's forum there's reference to another version that they also use that is very close to the actual period rounds (although blank), but I could not locate it.

    Calum

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Posts
    59

    Default Sharps Cartridges

    Do you think nitrating pre-made cartridges would work? I am worried about having a burning ember left over in the barrel. I am not worried about ignition since the end is cut off anyway. Thanks for your replies

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