Metal Cartridges

[sequoia]

No, not those kind of cartridges. I just read an article in backwoodsman magazine about using aluminum foil for pre-made cartridges in colt revolvers. Apparently they were used back in the day except they used lead foil. Has anyone tried these and what was the result?

 

[CaptainKirk]

I've read quite a bit about paper cartridges. Nothing about metal, though. Thing is, the paper is mostly consumed by the combustion. Foil...not so much, methinks!
Personally, I would stay away from that one. If you really feel a consuming desire to "roll your own", go paper. Just my .02....... :hmm:

 

[token tory]

Supposedly lead (not tin) foil was the material used to make Colt cartridges. They were said to be conical in shape & were supposedly poorly received & so discontinued fairly rapidly.
They were notorious for leaving bits of foil everywhere & causing problems as they did not burn away like paper did.

 

[MSW]

CaptainKirk, i agree completely... by the way i have a falling block paper cartridge rifle, which is a lot of fun to shoot (although i don't get to do so nearly as often as i would like).

 

[CaptainKirk]

CaptainKirk, i agree completely... by the way i have a falling block paper cartridge rifle, which is a lot of fun to shoot (although i don't get to do so nearly as often as i would like).

Is that the Sharps?
I came within a stone's throw of buying on of those back in the eighties. 3 bills, brand-new. And, if I'd have known what pricing looks like today, I probably would've taken out a loan! LOL! :rotf:

 

[Zonie]

Colt, working with Eley in England developed a metallic foil cartridge for the Colt revolvers.

It was quite popular for a while but I don't have the details on exactly how it was made except it was loaded from the front of the cylinder and the foil burst, exposing the powder when it was rammed into the cylinder.

 

[Taz]

If you are inclined to experiment with this, the lead foil in dental x-ray film (which is discarded when the film is developed) might be useful. A lot of dentists have gone to digital imaging now so it may be difficult to find.