Cartridge Tubes

[1st New Jersey Brigade]

A question for my fellow reenactors. Where are you all getting your cartridge tubes for reenacting. I used to get them from the paper lady, but it seems she is not around anymore. Thanks.

 

[johan_steele]

A dowel paper and time… but I don't burn blanks only 540 grain .578 rounds down range.

 

[captaindrew]

If you don't feel like doing them yourself check out The Tube Factory, you can find them on Etsy.com. I've bought from them before and was happy with them, pretty good deal really and they ship right away. There's also a guy who has a link on the Authentic Campaigner website but I can't remember the name of his business off the top of my head. If you'd like to try making them yourself there's been plenty of threads on the topic on here, once you get it down you can crank them out pretty quick.

 

[1st New Jersey Brigade]

If you don't feel like doing them yourself check out The Tube Factory, you can find them on Etsy.com. I've bought from them before and was happy with them, pretty good deal really and they ship right away. There's also a guy who has a link on the Authentic Campaigner website but I can't remember the name of his business off the top of my head. If you'd like to try making them yourself there's been plenty of threads on the topic on here, once you get it down you can crank them out pretty quick.

I have been in touch with the tube factory. I just wanted to check out other options before pulling the trigger (LOL) on them.

 

[Lincoln56]

Might I suggest holding or attending a cartridge rolling party?

Newsprint sheets from Amazon, dowel rod, string, black powder AND most importantly to alleviate the boredom of the repetitive task, host or attend a cartridge rolling party with members of your unit. People bring food, drink, etc... sit around a table making cartridges, swapping reenacting stories.

Found this to be a great way of bonding and fellowship within the group; we'd meet before each event.
Made lots of cartridges and had an enjoyable four hours. Time well spent.

 

[OhioBlue16]

If you are looking for premade tubes you can just put powder into and close. I'd recommend Gimcrack and Bumkum.

 

[PrivateBrooke]

Sorry, old thread, shame on me. lol

But I got about 200 from Regimental QM in Gettysburg this weekend. They're made of news print and it's well worth the $12 per pack of 100, imo to not have to roll them myself. They're rolled well, better than I've ever been able to roll them, personally.

 

[thomas aagaard]

If you are looking for premade tubes you can just put powder into and close. I'd recommend Gimcrack and Bumkum.

I have also used https://gimcrackandbunkum.com/ a few years ago. Quick and good service.. and they got to denmark in good shape.


My experience is covered here: (If you use crome just use the build in translate function and you get a ok translation from danish into english)

Pakke med autentiske patroner fra USA

For ca. en måned siden kontaktede jeg firmaet Gimcrack & Bunkum. De sælger autentiske papirs patroner og projektiler. Jeg lagde en ordre og har i dag modtaget pakken. Denne tekst fortæller lid…

musket.dk

 

[7thWisconsin]

Amazon packing paper, a dowel and a glue stick. I made 60 rounds last weekend. Honestly it takes about a minute to make a round.

 

[PrivateBrooke]

Amazon packing paper, a dowel and a glue stick. I made 60 rounds last weekend. Honestly it takes about a minute to make a round.

I'm too just lazy to roll myself lol. I have almost 150 ready for this weekend already.

 

[Pollaco]

Not quite sure just what Amazon packing paper is but for you folks who aren't too lazy to roll your own, coffee filters work quite well.I soak mine in stump killer (potassium nitrate) to nitrate them and use them in my revolver. I would think that they would work in rifles as well.

 

[7thWisconsin]

Not quite sure just what Amazon packing paper is but for you folks who aren't too lazy to roll your own, coffee filters work quite well.I soak mine in stump killer (potassium nitrate) to nitrate them and use them in my revolver. I would think that they would work in rifles as well.

I´ve used hair rolling papers for combustible cartridges forever. They come 1,000 to a box and are already precut. All you need to do is form and glue.

 

[Pollaco]

I'm assuming here as I haven't yet made any cartridges for a rifle. The nitrating helps make the paper more combustible but the paper for rifles don't really have to be nitrated because it would burn up anyway due to the larger powder charge? Nitrating or soaking in a Potassium Nitrate solution would probably be a step for revolver cartridges only? Due to the smaller size I have also used the paper from tea bags. But be careful some brands of tea bags only look like they're made totally from paper. There is a brand or two that seems to have some sort of "plastic" woven into the tea bags.These I would avoid.

 

[johan_steele]

Nitrating is best for breech loaders and pistols. Most reenactment units don't let you ram paper for blanks and for live fire you don't need to ram the paper.

 

[7thWisconsin]

Cigarette paper makes nice revolver cartridges too.

 

[Pollaco]

Cigarette paper makes nice revolver cartridges too.

You do get some blank stares and odd looks from the cashier when you ask for ZigZag or "funny" papers.

 

[7thWisconsin]

You do get some blank stares and odd looks from the cashier when you ask for ZigZag or "funny" papers.

Well, you really don´t need the flavored ones!

 

[Pollaco]

Well, you really don´t need the flavored ones!

Yeah but you got to admit that older people buying funny papers is probably not-too-common a sight.(At least I hope not)

 

[Chalmers' Division]

I am curious- I have seen dowel use, but..... what size? 1/2? 3/8, 5/8? 3/16?

I put a couple 180 grain tubes. I have not rolled cartridges in 22 years- so is 80 to 90 still standard?

 

[Pollaco]

You got to allow for the thickness of the paper so sand down the 1/2" a little and you got .50 cal. right?