Wads for sabotless

[rangeball]

Midsouth didn't have any I could find when I ordered my stuff, but I'm assuming, especially with the deep douglas rifling, I'm going to need some .50 wads when I attempt sabotless.

I've heard guys discuss woolen wads, and veggie wads... I don't recall anyone talking about nitro hard cards. I think they make one that is .50 and wax impregnated.

What type of wad do you think has the best chance at consistent sealing in a .50 bore?

[chuck41]

I suspect the "veggie wads" would be as good as anything you can find. I know Cabela's stocks them. I bought mine online from The Possible's Shop. I use the .060" in my 40 and they seem to work well. possibleshop.com/cartridge-wads.htm

[rbinar]

8-)I read the post where Harley had a wad turn and effect the load sequence. That got me thinking and today while at the range I tried this.


You can see the wad is cut out of a piece of nylon. I made them 3/8" long so it is impossible to load tilted.

I don't have a lot of shots but I'm fairly sure it does not effect accuracy as compared to a wonder wad.

My problem is I don't normally recommend a component unless it is readily available to any shooter. Since I machined these that won't be the case. I wonder if a 410 shot wad would work?

However since you want to shoot 50 caliber sabot-less I know a 28 gauge shot wad base will fit perfectly. So that may be worth a try. The wad would reduce the need for an extra tight bullet as well as reduce the possibility of misfire.

The disk seen in the photo is in a 40 caliber barrel. I purposely part the disks with a dull cutter where a rim is made on one end. This way I can under cut the size a small amount and still get a firm fit in the barrel.

[rangeball]

Thanks Chuck.

Rb, I was looking at the 1/8" .510 nitro hard cards. The 28g would be oversized at .560, but I'll take your word that's a good thing, and won't make the load harder to seat?

These don't come waxed. Is that a deal breaker? They do have a 3/8" thick waxed 28g card.

Or are you talking about buying 28g shotcup wads and cutting the petals off?

One of the reasons for wanting to shoot sabotless is no cool down concerns. Going with a plastic shotcup base would put me back at square one, wouldn't it?

[rbinar]

Apr 1, 2009 8:40:35 GMT -5 rangeball said:

Thanks Chuck.

Rb, I was looking at the 1/8" .510 nitro hard cards. The 28g would be oversized at .560, but I'll take your word that's a good thing, and won't make the load harder to seat?

These don't come waxed. Is that a deal breaker? They do have a 3/8" thick waxed 28g card.

Or are you talking about buying 28g shotcup wads and cutting the petals off?

One of the reasons for wanting to shoot sabotless is no cool down concerns. Going with a plastic shotcup base would put me back at square one, wouldn't it?

I don't know about all 28 gauge wads but the pink Winchester wads work well. I've used them many times.

However you can do as well with a sabot. Select a tight fitting sabot and cut the pedals off. They make a great wad and with a bore size bullet there is no worry they could be disrupted.

I don't think you have to worry if the wad is lubed or not.

[rangeball]

Good idea. I'll have hph-12 and short mmp blacks, BCR, RCR, GCR and regular black harvester to choose from as soon as the big brown truck pulls up with my stuff

Hopefully I can get them to shoot without a wad, but will be prepared if they don't.