PP Bullets in a Tube Magazine Rifle?

[Flash Pan Dan]

Is it possible to load paper patch bullets in a tube magazine rifle? I have an old Marlin 1893, with a 30 inch barrel in 32-40 caliber. It was made in 1895 and is in excellent condition, especially the bore. I would like to load it with paper patch bullets. I am using the rifle in Levergun Silhouette matches. Any advice or tips would be greatly appreciated.

[Gunlaker]

Hi Dan,
I seem to remember something about that in Paul Matthews book "Forty Years with the .45-70". I think he waterproofed the patches and seated them so that the patches were entirely within the brass. But I might be mis-remembering the details.

Chris.

[Don McDowell]

Should be fine so long as you load with black or enough bulky smokeless that the bullets don't get pushed back into the case without crimping.
I'ld also try wet wrapping the paper onto the bullets, wet wrapped paper seems to be a bit more resilient than dry wrapped.

[bruce moulds]

did the odg do this?
most levergun ammo seemed to be greasers.
dan you have raised a good point.
you would need to use a good sized grease wad, which would reduce powder capacity.
keep safe,
bruce.

[Flash Pan Dan]

Thank you for your responses. Because of the unusually long barrel, I’m concerned that I may know have enough lube in a lube cookie to prevent fouling issues using black powder, though black powder would be my preference. I have had good results with H4831sc in my 45-75 Winchester. It fills the case but leaves a lot of unburned powder. So I am also at a quandary as to what bulk smokeless powder to use.

[Don McDowell]

Use a lubed felt wad under the bullet with black.
Stick with the 4831 if using smokeless.

[Flash Pan Dan]

Also should I patch to groove size?

[Don McDowell]

I would use a slick just over bore size and patch with some 8 lb paper.

[bruce moulds]

you will get no bumpup from 4831.
keep safe,
bruce.

[bobw]

Hi Dan,
I seem to remember something about that in Paul Matthews book "Forty Years with the .45-70". I think he waterproofed the patches and seated them so that the patches were entirely within the brass. But I might be mis-remembering the details.

Chris.

This partially correct, Paul wet patched to groove dia. dried the patches and then had them in a mesh screen basket to dip into melted paraffin .he did seat them to where he needed them but not with the patch completely in the case over smokeless loads. Bruce is right NO bump up in smokeless. goodluck.