How To: Rolling Your Own Cartidges

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by Lyle D. Bishop III
(With the continuing growth of the reenacting hobby I thought it might be a good idea to run this "how-to" about rolling cartridges. Lyle Bishop was kind enough to submit this "how-to. " -ed.)
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This is my method of making a cartridge which is close to the 1840 and 1861 Regulations. They are a little small because there is no bullet but they look good and work well.
Required items:

1. Something to roll the paper on. I use the round cardboard tube from a coat hanger wrapped with scotch tape (Fig. 1), a wooden dowel that fits in your rifle (Fig. 2) can he used. Mark the roller with a line 2-7/8" from the bullet end (Fig. 3).
2. Kraft paper or light weight paper sandwich bags. (Newsprint is another good alternative. Check with your local newspaper about getting an end roll from a web press. -ed.) Open the bottom and side seam and mark if (Fig. 4) with the sizes shown on Fig. 5, a template helps.
3. A powder measure (Fig. 6) helps as does a pouring spout (Fig. 7).
4. Cut the paper as needed.

MAKING THE CARTRIDGE:

1. Place a paper under the dowel (Fig. 3) and roll tightly, slip paper up until the base is on the line.
2. Turn dowel to the right so that X tip (Fig. 8) is up.
3. Twist the end (Fig. 9) tightly in the direction of the fold. You may tie the end if you wish to he more authentic. Use flax or quilting thread.
4. Insert into block (Fig. 14) of 2x4 and remove dowel.
5. Your paper should look like (Fig. 10) and you do not have to use the block, pour the powder (1861 Regs say 60 grs.) into the paper.
6. Pinch above the powder (Fig. 11) making sure seam faces you.
7. Fold both sides in to the center (Fig. 12) creasing edges tightly.
8. Fold tail down over the side (Fig. 13). i tuck the fail into the seam.

​Note: In order to make things go faster I use a piece of 2x4 with holes drilled in it the size of the cartridge. I fill the block with empty paper cartridges, then fill all of them. Then fold each. This way you can fill a lot of cartridges at one time, I have 33 holes in mine, you can make it as large as you wish. It also helps to keep count of the number made.