We almost all like a good 6 gun Cowboy movie. But did you know, that prior to brass cartridges, many “Wheel Gun” owners loaded with paper cartridges. They were sold in a little pack (Like a match box) at the local hardware store.
Here is a video of my trying out my own paper cartridges, back in the day they would have come with the bullet/ball attached. . . I started with just the powder, so I could switch what projectile I fired.
That was really cool
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Love your Ruger Old Army I have one that is blued. Never tried paper cartridges but had read about it. Mine is will hold a 2 inch pattern at 30 yards as long as I do my part.
This one might well also shoot a tight group, though it would be helped by having a better shooter behind it. I should have my wife shoot mine, she is a fantastic pistol shot while I am pedestrian with a pistol.
If you use actual black powder and natural animal or plant based lube, hot tap water with just a little soap is still a great way to clean your Muzzle Loader. I’ll try to do a video on it (working 12-14 hour days right now) when I get a chance.
I use alcohol patches after the hot water just to be sure all the moisture is out, Barricade® Rust Preventative is about the only thing “Out of a can” I use on my Muzzle Loaders, maybe wipe the outside down with Ballistol if I’m going out in the rain or snow. Otherwise my patch, bullet, and barrel lubes are all hand made and are mixes of elk tallow, bear fat, and bee’s wax (Bee’s wax has the highest melting point) I use more Bee’s wax in the mix in the hot summer months and almost none in winter.
@SeanGadhar I am really impressed with your knowledge. I have never really got into shooting black powder weapons. You make it sound very interesting. I would love to spend a day with you just to gain some of the knowledge that you have. I am afraid that much of the knowledge that you have is being lost to time.
I would really encourage you to look for a Rendezvous in your area that you can attend. You are right when you say “I am afraid that much of the knowledge that you have is being lost to time.” only my knowledge is a moon cast shadow to what is out there. Most of these guys can look a little silly at times, some 80 year old guy with knobby knees tottering around a tent wearing buckskins?? I mean COME ON!!! Then you find out, he made those buck skins, from deer he killed with a rifle he also made. . . . that he spent summers in the 70s learning rifle making from guys who were born before 1900!! You find out there are still men who “Scrape the stock” There was no sand paper in 1776. I mean think on THAT!! All those stunning rifle stocks were made with out ever using sandpaper. Better still there are a few, vary few men who still build them that way. The man who built my ESR (English Sporting Rifle) builds rifles one at a time, because that rifle interests him. He is like 85 this year. He only builds one or two a year. . . .I own this one
And every time I take her out, I think back on the time I spent in his workshop, the slabs of Black Walnut standing in the corner, and the realization that THIS man built MY rifle stock out of a slab from the vary same tree!
That is totally awesome. You have a piece of history in your hands that you saw being made. I would much rather have something like that over a massed produced product. You are a lucky man.
Man I am so jealous. That is one beautiful rifle that you have. Pretty impressive shooting also for iron sights and a black powder rifle.
Totally gobsmacked!
I knew a little bit about pre-packed paper loads of black powder (muzzle loading?) but would never have guessed that there were cartridge/“bullets” for six shooters!
Thanks so much for sharing!
Incredibly interesting!