I shoot Swiss powder, and it's probably the reason I need a wad with a .010 patch. Goex doesn't seem to have the same problem.
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Old Hunter...
I shoot Swiss FFFg in all three of my .50 caliber rifles... a flintlock Long Rifle (1:66 twist) and 2 cap-lock Hawken rifles, one is a standard 28" barreled Hawken (7� lbs-my target rifle) and the other is a 24" Hawken Carbine (6� lbs- my hunting rifle)... and have begun using vegetable fiber wads to not only protect the rifle ball's patch, but also to increase my rifle's accuracy and muzzle velocity.
All three rifles shoot the Hornady .490 swagged lead ball with a .016" denim patch lubed with a mixture of bee's wax & Crisco.
I also use a .060" vegetable fiber wad in all these rifles and find no burnt patches regardless of the amount of FFFg Swiss powder I use (have shot from 47 to 95 grains for one reason or another).
This very tough wad is biodegradable and keeps all the cloth patches in good condition... regardless of the powder charge and keeps the patch lube from wetting the powder if the rifle is left loaded for several days in a row during hunting season.
It is claimed by some fellas that compressing the powder charge with the fiber wad tends to increase muzzle velocity. I can't say that is true or false, one way or the other, since I haven't chronographed any of these BP loads yet.
Once I determine the best (most accurate) loads for each of the rifles for target shooting sy 25 and 50 yards as well as hunting loads, then I'll break out the chronograph and get the muzzle velocities.
I get the vegetable fiber wads from:
John Walters
500 N. Avery Dr.
Moore, Oklahoma 73160
ph: (405)799-0376
[email protected]John charges $20.00 per 1000 + $1 postage and sends his wads along with an invoice for the amount due. He is very trusting.
You might give these vegetable fiber wads a try and see how you like 'em.
Strength & Honor...
Ron T.
