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Anyone use Kraft paper for shot tubes?

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Sidney Smith

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I was downstairs trying to come up with another idea for self contained shot tubes for use in the smooth bore. Then it hit me that I have Kraft paper, so I began experimenting with it. I found that if you cut it just right then wet the paper and wrap it around a dowel, that when dry it will hold its shape as a tube, which can then be used for self contained shot tubes. Pinch one end shut like a penny roll, fill with a premeasured amount of shot, pinch the other end closed and there you go.

I wanted to try some thicker paper than the Hemmings motor news paper tubes I made before. So far this seems promising. Going to try them out on the patterning board soon.
 
I was downstairs trying to come up with another idea for self contained shot tubes for use in the smooth bore. Then it hit me that I have Kraft paper, so I began experimenting with it. I found that if you cut it just right then wet the paper and wrap it around a dowel, that when dry it will hold its shape as a tube, which can then be used for self contained shot tubes. Pinch one end shut like a penny roll, fill with a premeasured amount of shot, pinch the other end closed and there you go.

I wanted to try some thicker paper than the Hemmings motor news paper tubes I made before. So far this seems promising. Going to try them out on the patterning board soon.

S.Smith, I like your idea and I'm going to try it. For years I have used coin wrappers but none of them are just right for any gauge. This seems like a much better way to produce a shot cup.
Thanks
 
Yes, I agree. If you wrap the paper around a 1/2 inch dowel the shot tube will easy fit in a 20 gauge barrel. I use a 1 1/8 oz load which is what I use as my go to load for just about all small game. An 80 grain measure by volume will throw close to a 1 1/8 oz Load of shot. I use 70 grains of 2fg powder.

I've gotten ok patterns using the Hemmings paper tubes but someone mentioned using thicker paper to help hold things together better while in the bore so who knows. I may or may not even use wadding over the powder as the paper should seal the bore well enough when lightly tamped.
 
Yes, I agree. If you wrap the paper around a 1/2 inch dowel the shot tube will easy fit in a 20 gauge barrel. I use a 1 1/8 oz load which is what I use as my go to load for just about all small game. An 80 grain measure by volume will throw close to a 1 1/8 oz Load of shot. I use 70 grains of 2fg powder.

I've gotten ok patterns using the Hemmings paper tubes but someone mentioned using thicker paper to help hold things together better while in the bore so who knows. I may or may not even use wadding over the powder as the paper should seal the bore well enough when lightly tamped.

Sidney, like you, I've gotten decent patterns using coin wrappers but because they are not the right diameter for any gauge they usually crinkle and deform on loading. I use an over shot card over the powder for a good seal then the paper shot cup. My wife has rolls of heavy craft paper so I'm looking forward to trying your method. It's a very good idea. Thanks.
 
C6, using a glue stick sounds easier. Does it take long to dry?
Thanks

It bonds quick enough that I can roll cartridges usually without pausing. On occasion I have to wait a few seconds for it to hold.

I also have used just plain Elmer's or wood glue. However that can be messy and requires a lot longer to bond and dry.

All I really need it to do is bond so I can get it off the mandrel and make another, Once they are all made they can sit over night to completely dry if necessary.
A glue stick is the best thing I've found so far.

These.

upload_2019-8-24_15-7-22.jpeg
 
It bonds quick enough that I can roll cartridges usually without pausing. On occasion I have to wait a few seconds for it to hold.

I also have used just plain Elmer's or wood glue. However that can be messy and requires a lot longer to bond and dry.

All I really need it to do is bond so I can get it off the mandrel and make another, Once they are all made they can sit over night to completely dry if necessary.
A glue stick is the best thing I've found so far.

These.

View attachment 13911

C6, thanks for the timely response. Thanks for the info and picture. I'm going to try your method.
Thanks
 
I have used glue sticks for the hemm8ngs paper tubes Ive made. It's probably a good idea to use one just to hold the tube from unraveling.

One thing when wet you can leave a little paper hang over the edge of the dowel then pinch it over onto itself. When the paper dries the end stays shut and it one less step you have to do.
 
I have used glue sticks for the hemm8ngs paper tubes Ive made. It's probably a good idea to use one just to hold the tube from unraveling.

One thing when wet you can leave a little paper hang over the edge of the dowel then pinch it over onto itself. When the paper dries the end stays shut and it one less step you have to do.

Sidney, go idea to pinch when wet.
Thanks
 
One thing when wet you can leave a little paper hang over the edge of the dowel then pinch it over onto itself. When the paper dries the end stays shut and it one less step you have to do.

If I understand you correctly, I do the same using a glue stick instead of wetting.. Pressing it against the table with the dowel for a few seconds and it holds tight.
 
Have you had any issues with your cups "slugging?" Or are you dumping the shot out of them to load?
Definitely more than one way to skin this cat. I'd really like to find a way to keep the shot in the cup just a tiny bit longer out of the muzzle, without having the occasional slug.
 
I'd really like to find a way to keep the shot in the cup just a tiny bit longer out of the muzzle, without having the occasional slug.

Make a heavier, stronger cup / cartridge
Remove or open the top of the cartridge when loading, and install an overshot card.
 
I haven't tried these on the patterning board yet but I highly doubt I'll get any slugging affect. I don't think the paper would hold together past a few feet from the muzzle.

The Hemmings motor news paper shot cups I made always shredded and allowed the shot to fly normally. I'm just hoping the Kraft paper will hold just a few feet farther to give my pattern a few extra yards.
 
Make a heavier, stronger cup / cartridge
Remove or open the top of the cartridge when loading, and install an overshot card.
I already do open the top of the cup and use an over shot card. If I put the flat folded end down on top of my wad and tear off the twisted and tied end, and don't seal the side seam, I don't get slugging. If I seal the seam on the side, I will sometimes get the issue. I would have thought that the shot, having more mass but less drag than the paper cup, would just leave the paper behind.
When I turn the cup over and load it twisted end down with the tie off string untrimmed, and trim the folded end so it's open just before adding my overshot card, I come a little closer to the goal. The next logical step still being to seal the seam on the side, 1 or 2 out of 5 shots will slug. Maybe the stiffer paper will help.
I'd like not just a slightly tighter pattern, but more so, I'd like to clean up the edges of the pattern.
 
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