Crumpled old books sheets for wadding?

In the 1970's I hunted duck using newspaper as a wad. It worked great. I then lived in KS. a friend joined me on a duck hunt.... He suggested that we hunt pheasants during the middle of the day. I shot a pheasant within minutes, we were in a corn stubble field. The paper smouldered and was on the dried grass. I spent an hour stomping out small fires and watching for all to be out. just be careful. it does work well

I find it very hard to believe someone from the 18th to 19th century would ever use a book for loading material.

Books were precious items, as weight was a serious problem traveling on foot, horse back, wagon, etc, every ounce was scrutinized. The books that WERE taken were considered vital.
Pilgrims Progress, Plato, Plutarch, Shakespeare, The Holy Bible, all highly sought after.

People read books over and over and over again. To those who could read knew the printed word was sacred. Those that couldn't knew the importance of the written word.

I don't think Anyone would use a book for wadding 150 years ago.

they used green leaves, paper hornets nest. and green corn husks, all of witch won't burn/set the grass/woods on fire.

Yewbender said:

how about he use the crumbled up paper to help start a fire or toilet paper!

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I tried that but got really crappy patterns.

Pete G said:

I tried that but got really crappy patterns.

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But did you try the quilted paper? It's supposed to be strong enough to "hold a load".....