Construction of the Enfield Paper Cartridge

[dromia]

Soldiers were taught how to load cartridges and equipment was available, probably on a company level, in the event that they might be required to make their own cartridges but generally they were supposed to be supplied with ready made ammunition.

Black powder shooting in dry weather is banned on the military ranges I shoot on due to the fire risk.

[davidh195]

The Brooks mould drops a fine bullet exactly to my specification of 0.564". This diameter will give me a good fitting bullet at the muzzle with two wraps of my 100% rag draughting vellum which is 0.003" thick giving me a final paper patched bullet diameter of 0.576". All my Parker Hale Enfields have spot on 0.577" bores.

Dromia

Could you tell me what weight of paper are you using that is 0.003" please.

David

[dromia]

It doesn't have a weight on it, It says "100% new cotton fibre translucent design vellum" Clearprint 10000HP.

The property I really like about this paper is its translucent "waxy" quality which stops the melted lubricant penetrating through to the bullet. With other porous papers the hot lube penetrates through the paper and onto the bullet, it does this inconsistently and therefore the patch leaves the bullet inconsistently and opens up the groups and gives flyers. Switching to this paper stopped that.

[davidh195]

Thank you. Found it will get some ordered.

David

[Maggot]

Soldiers were taught how to load cartridges and equipment was available, probably on a company level, in the event that they might be required to make their own cartridges but generally they were supposed to be supplied with ready made ammunition.

Black powder shooting in dry weather is banned on the military ranges I shoot on due to the fire risk.

Oh heck......I have visions of modern day squaddies doing this.

We were discussing this last night, they are at their most dangerous when bored.

My oppo (Recent Exe Grens) just said...."Its when they are quiet you have to worry". Thats so true

[wool]

I have six original Enfield paper cartridges; do they have any value?

[Maggot]

Not if you were going to give me one

[ovenpaa]

Hoi! leave one for me.

[wool]

David, next time you visit Derbyshire, let me know and arrange a visit.

[matdoodson]

"100% new cotton fibre translucent design vellum" Clearprint 10000HP

Hello Dromia, is there a typo there? Should it be just 1000HP not 10000HP? I can only find 1000HP online.

I'm not having much luck getting my pritchets to stabilise, I get reasonable groups but they're tumbling through the target. A chap at the club last night thought the key was in the paper patching, then I remembered I'd read your post about cotton fibre vellum...

Cheers,
Mat