Ever use a little hornets nest?
 

A coworker of mine only shhots ball an patch in a traditional percussion cap ML. (Nothing against the new inlines, they're just not his cup of tea.)

Anyway, he puts a small amount of hornet's nest material between the powder charge and the ball and patch. The idea is that as it burns, it slows down the flame from burning the patch, elimination blow by (is that the correct term?) and increasing accuracy. He says it's a trick from waaaaay back.

Anyone heard of this?

RE: Ever use a little hornets nest?
 

never heard of using it behind the patch.however,I have heard they used them way back in the shotguns,and smooth bore rifles.
they used what ever was handy back then.

RE: Ever use a little hornets nest?
 

Yes I have heard of it. It will protect the patch. Some people also use corn meal, and all sorts of other things that basically do the same thing. Then the more modern people use a felt wad that is lubed. When you use a felt wad behind a patch you will discover that the patch is in such perfect condition it looks like (and I have done it) you could shoot it again.

RE: Ever use a little hornets nest?
 

Yes have heard of it. I have used cream of wheat, cornmeal and even
patches from matress covers. You can't beat the lubed felt patches that
Cayugad is telling you about. He has another Thread on here on how to
cut them out and lube them. Look it up.....Good Luck.....And be Safe!

RE: Ever use a little hornets nest?
 

In addition to the penalty for gettin' ahold of one that's still occupied, the material has a nasty habit of stayin' in the bore while smolderin'. Not a good place to pour a handfull of black powder.

RE: Ever use a little hornets nest?
 

I've used it for years...my .54 burns patches with heavier charges...I don't need with my normal hunting load of 80 grs ff...