WASP NEST WADDING?

TrapperDude · Mar 14, 2023

smo said:
They can be a pita collecting them at times…

View attachment 205505

I see a story, there. Where did that thing form?

smo · Mar 14, 2023

TrapperDude said:
I see a story, there. Where did that thing form?

That was under the seat of a metal folding chair I keep in my shooting house…

TrapperDude · Mar 14, 2023

smo said:
That was under the seat of a metal folding chair I keep in my shooting house…

Oof. That could have been a nasty surprise--probably was, wasn't it? When I was about four or five, my grandparents had a tire swing hanging in a tree, and the wasps had built a nest in the top interior of it, unbeknownst to anyone. My little brother and I went out to play on it, and those things started darting around like crazy, but we didn't have the worldly experience to realize what the implications were until one of them stung my brother on the forehead.

A flaming rolled newspaper ended up being held inside the upper part of the tire swing after that.

smo · Mar 14, 2023

Actually I used those bug bombs for flying insects before entry…

However as the temperature warms with the morning sun, some still fly out of hidden crevices..

That year I managed too only receive 3 stings from the Red Devils….

Joe B. · Mar 14, 2023

"Dr. Sam" Fadala swore by Hornet nest in his authoritative "Black Powder Handbook". There are shooting patch photos with and without the nest buffer showing evidence of burn through prevention. The Hornets (and Wasps) abandon the nests each year, btw. I keep my eyes open for a low hanging Hornet nest, which are better suited for a wad IMO, when driving after the leaves are gone.

brushblind · Mar 14, 2023

Flintlock said:
Cotton balls are very flammable. a can of wasp spray and "SHAZAM" you have wadding.

And it's free!

toot · Mar 15, 2023

Dusty_Traveler said:
My favorite way to harvest them is with a can of starting fluid and a lighter. Unusually satisfying. I have yet to be counterattacked, as the initial barrage is very effective.

in doing that you ruin the use of the nest for wadding.

Dusty_Traveler · Mar 15, 2023

toot said:
in doing that you ruin the use of the nest for wadding.

Actually, the nests are hardly even burned. It’s just a quick “puff” of flame, not a sustained burn.

TrapperDude · Mar 15, 2023

Dusty_Traveler said:
Actually, the nests are hardly even burned. It’s just a quick “puff” of flame, not a sustained burn.

If that's done right, then you get a nest without neurotoxin residue all over it like what happens with wasp spray.

stikshooter · Mar 15, 2023

NorthFork said:
As far as I know the old timers who mentored me used a pinch torn off a wasps nest as is. No spit or lube. I have a few rifles that DEMAND a wadding material of some sort to get good accuracy. It does not seem to matter what the barrier is. Be it wasps nest, an extra patch shoved down, tow, or an edge lubed wool wad. I 'cheat' these days and use an edge lubed wool wad. Better than messing with stinging insects and tramping around the deer woods looking for nests.

I tried it as I found lots of nests but was not impressed ,seems when using a wad I usually missed due to the shot falling out (not enough wad) and got over that wasp stuff fast . Not a confidence builder and I like eating squirrel so back to dura felt wads and squirrel dinners/Ed

stikshooter · Mar 15, 2023

bronko220002 said:
You can get a paper wasp nest in the late fall or winter. I believe the nests were used as an over powder wad.
I found this:
Habits: During the winter, most paper wasps die, except new queens. Queens survive the winter by nesting in protected places such as under the bark of trees, or in cracks and crevices around structures. In the spring, several queens commonly get together to start a new nest.

You'd be wrong ,I brought home a nest gathered in January and placed it in a tie wrapped plastic bag as I was not sure dead/alive ? A week went by and l was loading at my bench and stepped back and stepped on the bag .
Having no shoes ,just socks a squishy feeling and looking down a whole new crop of white faced hornet (puppies) .
So I proceeded to stomp the living stuff out of them and decided again wads gave better patterns !/Ed

TrapperDude · Mar 15, 2023

stikshooter said:
You'd be wrong ,I brought home a nest gathered in January and placed it in a tie wrapped plastic bag as I was not sure dead/alive ? A week went by and l was loading at my bench and stepped back and stepped on the bag .
Having no shoes ,just socks a squishy feeling and looking down a whole new crop of white faced hornet (puppies) .
So I proceeded to stomp the living stuff out of them and decided again wads gave better patterns !/Ed

We're those things fully formed and moving around, or were they still in their cells?

Pierre009 · Mar 15, 2023

Dusty_Traveler said:
My favorite way to harvest them is with a can of starting fluid and a lighter. Unusually satisfying. I have yet to be counterattacked, as the initial barrage is very effective.

And they snap crackle & pop...

stikshooter · Mar 15, 2023

TrapperDude said:
We're those things fully formed and moving around, or were they still in their cells?

My wood stove had them moving all stages even some with wings ,out side like -5 degrees and 80 inside /Ed

TrapperDude · Mar 15, 2023

stikshooter said:
My wood stove had them moving all stages even some with wings ,out side like -5 degrees and 80 inside /Ed

Since you were only in your socks, you're lucky you didn't get stung by any of them when you stepped on the bag!

Tn poor boy · Mar 15, 2023

Well I'm old timer 62yrs old. Get you wasp nest after they leave the nest.then when to use pinch a peace put over powder pplaceball or shot then pench more put over lead. And fire your gun

Well I'm old timer 62yrs old. Get you wasp nest after they leave the nest.then when to use pinch a peace put over powder pplaceball or shot then pench more put over lead. And fire your gun

CVA Enthusiast · May 18, 2023

I gotta say I am VERY IMPRESSED, with the wasp nest as wad, I took a few shots with the wasp nest accuracy was not tanked as I initially thought it would be and well I am a sabot nut but if I can get a nest large enough to equip a .50 Cal I actually prefer the nest. 1) flame retardant 2) loads so much easier even after a round or two. I do not pass em up these days, and keep a can or two of wasp spray on hand

bronko220002 · May 18, 2023

Tn poor boy said:
Well I'm old timer 62yrs old. Get you wasp nest after they leave the nest.then when to use pinch a peace put over powder pplaceball or shot then pench more put over lead. And fire your gun

Excuse me. Are you saying you don't use a patch?

Well I'm old timer 62yrs old. Get you wasp nest after they leave the nest.then when to use pinch a peace put over powder pplaceball or shot then pench more put over lead. And fire your gun

You dont ise a patch?

oldwood · May 18, 2023

In reading an old book dealing with Indian use of trade muskets , Indians frequently used leaves for wadding. The danged book said no more , as in what kind of leaves? , dry , as picked , wet ? , always a dag gone mystery.......... :dunno:

Dusty_Traveler · May 18, 2023

bronko220002 said:
You dont ise a patch?

Bare ball load in a smoothbore.

WASP NEST WADDING?

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