Thread: 54 cal sharps

@Micky Duck it was an education for me as well. I don't have any ciggie papers on hand but next time in town I'll grab some. That and nitrating the paper might improve things.

one thing is for sure...WHEN...not if but when,you decide to take it hunting and shoot something with it...you will have bragging rights for weeks.

Originally Posted by Micky Duck

I wonder if zig zag rice paper might be better than bog roll??? looks interesting ,cant say Ive seen them set up before,thank you for the education.

Thats what I have used. Although only half a dozen shots so far.
I looked up big zig zags, and found a shop in town that supplies cheech n chong with theirs.

Originally Posted by 40mm

Thats what I have used. Although only half a dozen shots so far.
I looked up big zig zags, and found a shop in town that supplies cheech n chong with theirs.

Hope you're not rolling Labrador

Originally Posted by madjon_

Hope you're not rolling Labrador

I have never heard it called Labrador before? you mean weed?

Originally Posted by 40mm

I have never heard it called Labrador before? you mean weed?

The dog ate Cheechs stash,nek day
https://youtu.be/ljfdg3mPcvY

Originally Posted by madjon_

The dog ate Cheechs stash,nek day
https://youtu.be/ljfdg3mPcvY

Classic! Funny bastards... Im gonna have to find the whole movie again

Here is mine

Is this the mould you are after

@Shanks That is the one I may be interested shall we discuss price. How many litres of petrol are you after for it. (-;

Don’t really know what it’s worth how about $100 including shipping

Originally Posted by Marty Henry

Well I finally got all the pieces together, managed to borrow a pedersoli mold and cast up some bullets. The sharps pattern "Christmas tree" is a bastard to get out of the mold due to the flange, I ended up using a pair of needle nose pliers to release them.
Next was making the cartridges, it's not too difficult actually. I opted for the flat base version body of newsprint end sealed with a round of single ply bog paper. Couple of dabs of pva and it's done.
I could only get 40 gr into the cases 50 is supposedly more traditional.
Lubed last of all once assembled.
First round was a hang fire, I hadn't punctured the base on loading which is supposedly proper procedure.




There was a lot of unburnt paper in the breech nitrating it in future seems to be a good idea as does either using less or getting rid of the pva and maybe using nail polish instead (nitrocellulose based).
After 2 shots the breech was stiff, three it was gummed with fouling, spitting on the breech block freed it up and I managed to run all 8 cartridges.
The obturation isnt quite perfect, couple that with the fouling of the action and the desirability of puncturing the cartridges on loading and it seems to be a pretty accurate reproduction of what it must have been like in service. Still compared to a muzzle loader the rate of fire is impressive

When I had my one I got fed up with make the paper cartridges, and just dropped a bullet in the barrel and filled it with powder worked better than the cartridges with more consistent ignition.

Yeah, mine came with a short ramrod. (see pics) for seating the projectile.
Have not used it yet, but I hear it is easier.

I do like the idea of nitrated paper etc, just seems like a lot of work....

Moulds are still up for grabs if anyone else wants them