Using wads with conicals
12-07-2004 | 04:08 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Fork Horn
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 216
Likes: 0
From: Edson, Canada
Using wads with conicals
I was reading the Hodgden site and it talks about using wads with conicals. Why is this and should I be doing this in the Hawken 50?
---------------------------------- 70 80 90 100GR
385 Gr. Hdy. Conical w/ Wad 1329 1423 1517 1613 FPS
---------------------------------- 70 80 90 100GR
385 Gr. Hdy. Conical w/ Wad 1329 1423 1517 1613 FPS
12-07-2004 | 04:36 PM
#2
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 83
Likes: 0
From: Monroe, Louisiana
RE: Using wads with conicals
I was just reading in my Lyman _Black Powder Handbook & Loading Manual_ in the propellants chapter where Pyrodex pellets are discussed, and yes, Hodgdon does indeed recommend a felt wad between pellets and projectile to protect the projectile's base from the gases (page 67).
12-07-2004 | 05:03 PM
#3
Dominant Buck
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 21,193
Likes: 0
From: Wisconsin
RE: Using wads with conicals
The wads should only be used on flat based conicals, never hollow based conicals. The wads are meant to protect the base of the conical from the heat of the powder charge and reduce leading as it was explained to me. I use them when I shoot REAL concials but never when shooting ball-et for instance.
Another use of the wonderwads is when shooting patched roundball. It will help seal the load and protect the patch when fired. Actually the patches look almost (and I have done it) like you could shoot them over again.
Another use of the wonderwads is when shooting patched roundball. It will help seal the load and protect the patch when fired. Actually the patches look almost (and I have done it) like you could shoot them over again.
12-07-2004 | 06:21 PM
#5
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 506
Likes: 0
From: LEVITTOWN N.Y. USA
RE: Using wads with conicals
gelarson My t/c 50 cal. I use a woder wad under the 320 REAL conical and 85 grain of 3f goex,seem also shoot the 360 grain maxi-ball excellent also,I have a t/c peep hunter sight on the tang that really improve my groups
12-07-2004 | 07:41 PM
#7
Giant Nontypical
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 9,085
Likes: 0
From: PA
RE: Using wads with conicals
i heard it acts as a gas seal and alot of times improves accuracy......and if your bullets tumble and hit sideways i heard they fix that......i shoot maxihunters in my tc 50cal hawken flinter....and dont use them...couldnt find them so i shot without them.....and it shots fine for me.....ill use them next year or late season when i find them...i saw them a few weeks ago....so ill pick them up.....sure they will improve my groups......or maybe ill goto patch n ball for the late season.....i get some awesome groups with them....ill see what happens...you got me thinkin now!
12-07-2004 | 08:49 PM
#8
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 501
Likes: 0
From: North Carolina
RE: Using wads with conicals
ORIGINAL: mauser06
i heard it acts as a gas seal and alot of times improves accuracy......and if your bullets tumble and hit sideways i heard they fix that......i shoot maxihunters in my tc 50cal hawken flinter....and dont use them...couldnt find them so i shot without them.....and it shots fine for me.....ill use them next year or late season when i find them...i saw them a few weeks ago....so ill pick them up.....sure they will improve my groups......or maybe ill goto patch n ball for the late season.....i get some awesome groups with them....ill see what happens...you got me thinkin now!
i heard it acts as a gas seal and alot of times improves accuracy......and if your bullets tumble and hit sideways i heard they fix that......i shoot maxihunters in my tc 50cal hawken flinter....and dont use them...couldnt find them so i shot without them.....and it shots fine for me.....ill use them next year or late season when i find them...i saw them a few weeks ago....so ill pick them up.....sure they will improve my groups......or maybe ill goto patch n ball for the late season.....i get some awesome groups with them....ill see what happens...you got me thinkin now!
And the tighter seal is supposed to produce additional velocity with the same powder charge...FWIW, I use the next higher size caliber wads for an even tighter seal...ie: 58's in a .54.....54's in a .50, etc.
12-08-2004 | 07:38 AM
#9
Nontypical Buck
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,776
Likes: 0
From: Slower Lower Delaware 1st State
RE: Using wads with conicals
I have a T/C 50 Thunderhawk. Haven't shot it in 3- 4 yrs,but always used BP and T/C conicals. Great Gun.
This is good info. I'll have to buy some wads and try it out during the Jan smoke pole season.
This is good info. I'll have to buy some wads and try it out during the Jan smoke pole season.
12-08-2004 | 06:07 PM
#10
Typical Buck
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 826
Likes: 0
From: Wabash, IN
RE: Using wads with conicals
As said, wads only seem to help flat-based conicals. The Great Plains are hollow based. I've shot the 385 Great Plains both with & without wads and there was no difference in accuracy.
I WILL have to try them the next time I shoot some round ball - especially since I finally got me some felt to cut my own wads.
I WILL have to try them the next time I shoot some round ball - especially since I finally got me some felt to cut my own wads.
