Dr.

Aishwarya Kailas Gavali

SIFS/OC/2022/012
MBBS, FCCM, DMM, PGD FM&T
MOB. NO. - 7020286126

Project- Explain in detail different types of wads used in

muzzle loading firearms.

Muzzle loading firearm-

The muzzleloader is a firearm that is loaded through the muzzle—the front end of the gun
barrel. Muzzleloaders preceded today's modern, breech-loading firearms. The “breech” of a firearm is
the end of the barrel that is opposite the muzzle end.

The MUZZLE loading shotguns-

To own an original muzzle loading gun requires no license as it is classed as an antique. It will require to
be held on a shotgun certificate. Applications for shotgun certificates may be obtained through your
local police force. Many police forces now hold their application forms on line. It should be noted that
replica muzzle loading shotguns may only be owned when held on a shotgun certificate whether they
are used or not. A condition of the shotgun license is that guns are stored securely. This generally means
that they are stored in an approved gun safe.

Mechanism of muzzle loading firearms.

 Muzzleloaders are defined as firearms that are loaded through the muzzle. There are three basic
components used when loading a muzzleloading rifle. In loading order, they are powder, patch, and ball.
If you are shooting a muzzleloading shotgun the components are powder, cardboard over powder patch,
lubed fiber compression wad, shot, and cardboard wad to retain shot.

Wads used in muzzle loading firearms-

There are a variety of different types of wads used in muzzle loading firearms.
1)The most common type is the conical wad. This wad is a disk-shaped piece of plastic or paper that is
placed over the projectile. It helps to keep the projectile centered in the barrel and also helps to keep
the propellant gases from escaping around the projectile.

Conical wads

2) Another common type of wad is the cushion wad. This wad is a soft, cushion-like piece of plastic or
felt that is placed between the projectile and the propellant. It helps to keep the propellant from coming
into contact with the projectile and also helps to reduce the noise of the explosion.

Cushion wads

3) Another type of wad is the gas check wad. This wad is a disk-shaped piece of metal that is placed over
the projectile. It helps to keep the propellant gases from escaping around the projectile.
Gas check wads

4) Finally, some firearms use wads made of felt or other absorbent materials. These wads help to keep
the propellant from coming into contact with the projectile and also help to reduce the noise of the
explosion.

Felt wads 

Another type of Wads used-

1) Wads used for muzzle loading shotguns should be made from either felt or a compressed fiber
material.
2)Plastic wads should not be used as they are likely to melt.
3)Fiber wads are available commercially in standard sizes.
4)pre-lubricated fiber wads.
5)Many muzzle loading shotgunners cut their own wads using either wad punches or rotary cutters that
are fixed in a drill and stand.
6)Materials for making wads are sheet felt (very expensive)
7)All unlubricated wads need to be lubricated. The lubricant can be a mixture of cooking oil and bees
wax / candle wax.
8)The mixture is heated until molten and the wads are just dipped in order to wet the surface. Heavy
soaking of the wad is undesirable.

Wadding-
1) Insertion-
A wad (consistent with the type of projectile(s) to be loaded) is inserted. A tubular wad guide enters the
case to prevent the soft plastic or fiber wad from snagging on the case mouth. Wads fed from above are
oriented and aligned in a magazine. A punch enters the cup portion of the wad directly above the case,
pushes it down onto the propellant charge, and applies light pressure. The punch is then withdrawn.

2) Inspection-
The case moves on to an additional inspection station where a sensor rod is used to verify that a wad is
present, aligned, and undamaged.

3) Projectile Loading-
The vast majority of shotshells loaded are filled with small lead or nontoxic pellets, such as birdshot. Due
to their small size, these pellets can be easily measured by volume. A guide tube is inserted into the case
to protect the case mouth and to minimize spillage. The measured charge of shot flows from a storage
hopper to the measuring device and on into the case.

other types of Wads used-

In shotgun ammunition, there are a number of wads.
1) Over-powder wad.
2) Cushion-wad,
3) Under-shot wad and
4)Over-shot wad

They keep the charges in the cartridge in their proper places. the cushion wads seal the barrel
on firing and thus prevent escape of gases and consequent loss of velocity. They also
clean and lubricate the barrels. Over-powder, under-shot and over-shot wads are made of
special quality card boards varying in thickness from about 2 to 3.5 mm. They are waterproof.
They are slightly larger than the bore of the firearm for which they intended.

Fiber wads

WAD DIAMETERS OF VARIOUS SHOTGUN AMMUNITION-

Bore 10 12 16 20 24
Bore inches 0.775 0.729 0.662 0.615 0.550
diameter
mm. 19.7 18.5 16.8 15.6 14.0

Wad inches 0.784 0.738 0.671 0.623 0.557

diameter
mm. 19.9 18.7 17.0 15.8 14.1

Cushion WADS MAKING-

Cushion wads are made from felt, cork, feltine (shredded paper), cardboard and from plastics (with air
holes). They seal the barrel properly and prevent escape of gases. The cushion wads are about 12.5 mm
thick and are often greased. The grease lubricates the barrels.

The modern shotgun wadding has undergone several changes in the last few decades following
changes have been made -

1) The base wad is plastic mould and fixed in the base of the brass head, under pressure.

2) The over-powder wad has changed to an inverted cup wad open side towards (and over) the powder,
so that when gases are formed, the lip, the open round edge of the cup, is pressed with the pressure
against the barrel and thus it seals the bore. It prevents the escape of gases from the sides.

3) The cushion wads function is carried out by the cup wad and pistons, which is attached to the
rectangular projectile sleeve containing and protecting the projectiles from coming in contact with the
barrel and consequent damage. The sleeve has cuts along the edges in its frontal part. The four sides of
the sleeve open up and fan out along the cuts, when the sleeve comes out of the muzzle.
Buckshot, slug, birdshot wads

4) The buckshot in a cartridgehasspaces, which are filled with granular plastic material to
cushion them. The plastic granular material prevents damage and provides uniform push to the
projectiles. They ensure proper push to the projectiles, gives better-spread and uniform
velocities to the buckshot’s. The above innovations have improved the aim, range and ballistics
of the shotgun cartridge considerably.

use of wads in ammunitions

USES OF WADDING-
Wadding is made from felt, paper, cloth or card and has several different uses.
1)In shotguns, a card wad or other secure wadding is used between the powder and the shot
charge to prevent pellets from dropping into the powder charge and on top of the shot charge
to hold it in place in the barrel.
2)In smooth bore muskets and most rifles used prior to cartridges being introduced in the mid-
to late nineteenth century, wadding was used primarily to hold the powder in place.
3) On most naval cannons, one piece of wadding was used to hold the powder in place and
served the purpose of creating a better seal around the shot.
4)Another was used to act as a plug to stop the shot rolling out because of the swaying of the
ship.

Use of wadding material

Examination of Wadding material -

The examination of shot wads frequently revolves around a comparison of remaining
observable physical characteristics to an unfired laboratory reference standard.

By examining wadding materials, the examiner may be able to determine

1)the gauge of the shotgun,

2)the manufacturer or marketer,

3)a range of possible shot sizes based on impressions in the wad,

4)individual characteristics (in some cases).

5)Paper and fiber wadding materials are similar in appearance across brands.
Wadding materials may include the following-
1) Card wad

2) Shot collar

3) Over-shot wad or top wad

4) Under-shot wad

5) Filler wad

6) Over-powder wad

7) Cup wad

Although older fiber and paper wads are no longer widely used, their examination
presents several difficulties because they

1) tend to absorb body fluids,

2)swell beyond their original dimensions,

3)often dry without retaining original dimensions,

4)are more easily damaged than plastic wadding materials.

5)Plastic wads are predominately used today.

Types of plastic wadding materials include-

1) shot protector wad,

2) shot collar,

3) combination wad.

Examiners should be aware that combinations of plastic and card and fiber wadding
materials have been used and continue to be found.
-END-

THANK YOU…