Wrapped bird shot

Boredom creates curiosity.
I have sheets of nitrated paper laying around, so I made a tube out of some pieces. Closed one end and filled the tube with #7 lead shot and then closed the top. The tube was close to bore size for my .69 calibre Charleville. 60 grains FFg, an over powder wad and aimed at a paper target at 25 yards. A nice clean hole in the target. The paper firmly held the shot in place, instead of shredding as I hoped it would do. Several shots yielded the same results.
Just something different and fun to try.

They would also make paper tubes, and pour in melted beeswax, and allow that to harden to try and get a tighter pattern at distance.

LD

Eley used to make a shot load with wire and paper wrapping

There was also the Johns Patent Sporting Shrapnel, a brass "egg" filled with shot attached to a shaft with wads behind it.

I do something similar for my .62 caliber Fusil de Chasse. Each cartridge contains about 70 grains of #6 shot for squirrel hunting. I load 65 grains of 2f, then one of these cartridges. Makes it simple.

ord sgt said:

Boredom creates curiosity.
I have sheets of nitrated paper laying around, so I made a tube out of some pieces. Closed one end and filled the tube with #7 lead shot and then closed the top. The tube was close to bore size for my .69 calibre Charleville. 60 grains FFg, an over powder wad and aimed at a paper target at 25 yards. A nice clean hole in the target. The paper firmly held the shot in place, instead of shredding as I hoped it would do. Several shots yielded the same results.
Just something different and fun to try.

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If you would make the shot tubes about 5/8” or so in diameter ( well under bore diameter ) you can drop the rolled shot tube in the muzzle and it will drop all the way down to the over-powder wads by it’s own weight. Seat a thin card wad on top of it.
When the charge goes off and the wad column whacks the shot package from the rear, it will rupture nicely so you don’t have a “ shot slug “ instead a pattern.
I have, on occasion, omitted the overshot card if the shooting was fairly brisk. As long as I kept the muzzle at level or above, the shot stays put against the over-powder wads until I fire.

This intrigues me

Banjoman said:

View attachment 152673I do something similar for my .62 caliber Fusil de Chasse. Each cartridge contains about 70 grains of #6 shot for squirrel hunting. I load 65 grains of 2f, then one of these cartridges. Makes it simple.

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You mean, measuring shot by 65 grains volume powder measure? That's in the vicinity of 7/8 ounce lead shot. I've been doing it the other way, with a Lee shot dipper set to the amount of shot I want to load, and measure the powder with it, too. A 1 ounce shot dipper gives about 2 1/2 drams, just under 70 grains of powder.

cyten said:

There was also the Johns Patent Sporting Shrapnel, a brass "egg" filled with shot attached to a shaft with wads behind it.

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Alright, I'll bite: What did the shaft do? I can't figure it out. I'm guessing the wads went in first to sit on the charge. Seems like it would be tough to load without a highly specialized (and probably weak) rammer?

windini said:

Alright, I'll bite: What did the shaft do? I can't figure it out. I'm guessing the wads went in first to sit on the charge. Seems like it would be tough to load without a highly specialized (and probably weak) rammer?

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I’m not entirely sure to be honest. I only have these pics and little information on their use

Loyalist Dave said:

They would also make paper tubes, and pour in melted beeswax, and allow that to harden to try and get a tighter pattern at distance.

LD

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Old Seal shooters trick.Some used candle wax. O.D.

cyten said:

I’m not entirely sure to be honest. I only have these pics and little information on their use

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A true Shrapnel shell had a detonating charge, I believe. If these were anything like the Hunley's torpedo-on-a-stick, no wonder they didn't catch on!

cyten said:

View attachment 152743

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From reading the description on the box I'm assuming that as the wad and rod slow down the ball slides off the rod and opens. That's the only thing I can come up with when it's says shortening the rod will reduce the yardage.

That's exactly what happens. Greener shows it in "The Gun."

SlidePicker said:

That's exactly what happens. Greener shows it in "The Gun."

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Pretty slick for that time period, some modern weaponry uses the same sort of aerodynamic and ballistic combo, like a sabot. With this device, I'm thinking more canister round than Shrapnel.

Add a string and drag....it is amazing how far you can pattern a smoothie. Pistol!
This rabbit target was shot with a 5 inch barreled 12bore Derringer!!...after loading, the shot-cup was less than 2 inches from the muzzle.

I make my shot cartridges out of three thickness of newspaper rolled around a dowel rod, tied with kite string, filled with shot folded over and tied shut. They "open up nicely" I have found that less than two thickness they tend to rip open before loading, more than three thickness and they don't open and give you a slug effect.

GREENSWLDE said:

Old Seal shooters trick.Some used candle wax. O.D.

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I have an old Remy S/S 12 gage. Not much fun blasting away at paper targets. But empty the bird shot of a dozen or so shells into a can of hot wax then refill the shells with the mixture, wax slugs. Better still empty the shells completely then reassemble using 2F powder and various fiber and cushion wads. Even bought a Russian made roll crimper to roll crimp the shell.
I know I know not apropos to the forum, just thought I’d share.

I've been thinking about 28 gauge plastic wads for my .54 cal smoothy pistol. Would they work?