This is our Deluxe Kit. It comes with the knob and block for the caliber, calibers, or specific guns, the marked dippers for them, and one funnel. It also comes with all of the things you need to make paper cartridges except for bullets and powder. This includes five packages of Elements rice paper rolling papers, a 5/8ths paper circle cutter, a large size All Purpose glue stick (or three small ones depending on availability), one 2oz can of lube, and 4 lube refills. Also our loading block and a project box.
The lube is enough for approximately 400 paper cartridges if the lube is kept hot throughout. If you heat the lube, take it off the heat, and dip until you can no longer dip, it will not last anywhere near as long. The five packages of paper are enough for about 500 rounds of the .36 and .44 if you cut two strips for the body and use the end for two circles (see instructions page). For the larger cartridges, the number is about a half to two thirds, depending on well you combine your cuts.
Included in this kit is also our loading block for the caliber or calibers. It makes it so you can make 20 papers and fill the powder at the same time. This is particularly valuable if you are loading roundballs because with those, the glue will get on your fingers and make subsequent papers and powder significantly more difficult. It makes things go quickly for conicals as well and is a very useful addition to your paper cartridge arsenal.
We also include a Berry's 20 cal ammo can as a project box. They are Made in the USA by Americans.
All of our kits are engineered to fill the chamber so that the top of a conical bullet reaches the very top of the chamber when compressed with the loading lever. Small variances in height can be obtained by how much you fill or overfill the dipper.
For lower power target loads, you fill the powder first, for how much you want to use, then top it off with Cream of Wheat to about an 8th of an inch below the rim of the paper.
For roundballs, if you want them topped right up, you should fill the dipper to overflowing, with a little on the handle.
Experiment with your gun so you don't run into a situation where the bullet or ball will not compress enough to clear the cylinder. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!
If you do get stuck, which most of us have, take your cylinder out and hacksaw the top off of the bullet.
None of our kits come with gunpowder, bullets, caps, or of course the guns in the pictures. Our measurements are based on our experience, and you use them at your own risk.
This .44 caliber kit has been engineered specifically for the Johnson & Dow bullet from Eras Gone Bullet Molds. If you fill the dipper just so that the rim has no powder on it, the top of the bullet will be at the edge of the cylinder.
We are currently testing other molds from Lee, and some real Colt 44H molds, which are very close to the Johnson & Dow. The .44 Kerr mold we have also not tried.
Note that the J&D bullet DOES NOT FIT IN A .44 51 NAVY. You can use our brass tapping rod, or any other rod that won't damage your gun to start the bullet so that it clears the entry port.