Over powder wads?

Modern Muzzleloading Forum

Help Support Modern Muzzleloading Forum:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.

KTK

Active Member
*
Joined
Dec 31, 2018
Messages
32
Reaction score
3
Does anybody here put a wad between the powder, and their conical / ball? What does it benefit?
I was told that it could help tighten up the grouping, but I don't understand how.
My grouping at 50yds is sweet, and acceptable at 80. It opens up just a little. Would like to tighten it up if possible.
If you do use them, are they dry or lubed?
Thanks.
 
I always use over powder wads. I prefer the felt wads. As far as lubed or unlubed to me it doesn't matter. I personally use the unlubed wads. I've squeezed the lubed wads to see if any lube comes out as I was afraid the lubed may contaminate the powder if it sat for a while, but nothing came out and I didn't see/feel any lube on my fingers.
With felt wads, I always use the next size larger. For example, for my 45cal I use 50cal, for a 50 cal I use 54 cal wads etc etc.
As far as benefits, I feel it does help squeeze a little more accuracy out of your load. It helps to ensure none of the pressure is lost between the bullet and barrel. And It helps in preventing leading in you bbl as it protects the bases to your conicals. A member here IdahoLewis posted on MM on why he advocates using a wad between conicals. He has other videos that he has posted on MM as well. e.g. How to clean your sidelocks, How to prep your sidelock for hunting to eliminate misfires etc. It can be found on YouTube. His videos can be found on YouTube.
 
I shoot minies in NSSA competition. My 62 Springfield will cut one ragged hole at 50 as will my Parker Hale. No wad needed, nor any lube in the base to contaminate the charge. I recently ran a Zouave (63 Remington) with a load similar to the Parker Hale one for 48 shots straight without any wiping. Last shot was still on target and went down fine.
 

Latest posts

Back
Top