Rounds for BGR

[firstexas]

Pards,

Many people seem worried about getting rounds to BGR in March. After speaking with Fred Baker, I want to let you all know that I am willing to drive rounds to the event for anyone out there who needs assistance. I would be happy to order rounds from Mike Watson and will drive them to the event Wednesday morning. All you have to do is contact me, tell me how many rounds you need, let me know if you are US or CS so I can order correct labels and then send me some money. The prices are as follows:

$5.50 for a package of 10 .58 caliber rounds without caps. Add $1.50 for 12 caps to be inluded in the package. .69 caliber rounds are $6.50 per pack without caps and $8.00 with. These are Mike's prices and I will not make one dime on this. I only want to help those who are in need. Please feel free to contact me at Bill@natvideo.com if you are interested.

Please contact me soon if you need rounds. I plan on sending an order in by Jan. 17th so you have two weeks to get things together.

Best regards, Bill.


www.banksgrandretreat.com

[Campjacksonboy]

I live a stones throw from Mike Watson. If I can pick them up and save y'all on postage I'm headed to NW LA too... I don't know how law enforcement will like the concept of carrying 20,000 rounds though.
Frank Aufmuth

[firstexas]

Hi Frank,

I will coordinate with you on this. I am thinking it will be about 1,000 rounds or so that we'll need to bring. I'll know more when some orders come in.

Pards, Bill.

[firstexas]

Pards,

Please contact me soon if you are going to need rounds at BGR. I will be placing an order with Mike within the next week or so. Don't wait until the last minute!!

Best regards, Bill.

[MO-Pard]

Bill-

Out of curiostity, which arsenal stamps are we incorporating for this event for Federal and CS? Assuming St. Louis for Federal.... Just curious for those rolling their own.

It's awesome you're running point on this. Thanks.

[Old Reb]

If I were carrying rounds as a Confederate, they would be from the Tyler Aresnal.

[firstexas]

It is my pleasure to help.

I agree with Tom. I would think that English labeled/packaged rounds would also be appropriate. Please contact me soon if you need rounds!!

Best regards, Bill.

[Dan Hadley]

Thanks for the info. I'll be rolling my own, and was wondering how to pack them up. Trying to make an 'accurate' facimile of a British Enfield round sounds pretty involved, with the layers of paper, the wax, etc. (I attached a couple JPGs I found on www.horsesoldier.com). I know some articles exist on how to, though I've never tried it. But it would be interesting to be met with the dilemma of how to fit those larger 10 packs in your box while in the field.

Maybe I'll take an easier route and make them as from the Tyler Arsenal. Any info on if the 10-packs were labelled? Possibly similar to the Augusta Arsenal JPG attached? Or maybe just plain.

I read where enfield cartridges and caps were packaged separately within the same containers for shipment, as opposed to 12 caps wrapped and included in the bundle of 10 cartridges as the Federal arsenals did. Were caps wrapped up with the cartridges at the Confederate armories?

Dan Hadley

[firstexas]

Hi Dan,

From my understanding (I verified this with Don Smith) that the problem with English manufactured rounds is that they were an inch longer than their American counterpart. The rounds themselves were rolled differently. The soldier would have to bite off the end with the round, pour the powder down the barrel, and then ram the projectile home. Basically, they were backwards when compared to American manufactured rounds and less efficient to load. The Houston Depot cartridge box was actually designed to accommodate the English rounds and was deeper due to the extra length of the English round.

Mike does produce a reproduction English label but his rounds are rolled in the American style. I have not seen a repro. round yet that follows the English style. That being said, English manufactured ammunition is appropriate for the BGR scenario.

Perhaps someone with more knowledge than I will chime in on this subject. Joe Blunt or Cody Mobley will probably have more information on this should anyone wish to contact them.

The orders for rounds are starting to come in. So please don't wait until the last minute. I will be sending a bulk order to Mike by January 26th.

Best regards, Bill.

[Alamo Guard]

As posted by Marse Baker earlier, I shall bring a bring a thousand generic unstamped rounds for sale at the event.
Prices to be posted later.

[firstexas]

Pards,

I just spoke wih Mike and he is ready to roll, pun intended. I plan on sending him a bulk order for rounds next week. If you need rounds, please get your order in to me by Friday the 26th. See you in the field.

Best regards, Bill.

[Campjacksonboy]

Having known Mike Watson for many years I can verify that he knows how to roll the english rounds. He even showed me how to do it once and I know he has a few in his collection. If you want the english style you will have to ask for them.
Not only were they less efficient to load they are more involved to make. Time may be an issue so if you really want english rounds the best time to order them is about two weeks ago.:tounge_sm
I carried a set of Mikes english rounds in my Cartrige Box for many years until necessity required their use. I really hated parting with them. There was so much paper, glue, cardboard and wax I'd be willing to bet they are still sitting there on Mr. White's farm.
Frank Aufmuth

[MO-Pard]

To maybe bridge two posts here...... I used to have a copy of Mike's catalog, but have not been able to find it. Mike doesn't have a website (which I could find), so thought I would throw these out to see if anyone had the info, before I bothered him with a call. (Sounds like the man is busy!)

1. Do we know what Mike charges for the English style rounds? (As Frank alluded it may be too late, but if not for this event would be nice to have for living histories.)

2. A pard just put in an order with Bill for rounds. Does Mike offer a Tyler arsenal label for those rolling their own who may elect to use a label? Or, Bill, if you are ordering labeled bundles, which labels are you requesting for Fed and CS (if not Tyler)?

Figuring the later would grant some uniformity as though they came off the same wagon. Just a thought.

Thanks

[firstexas]

Jay,

I would give Mike a call. He works a day job but he is home in the evenings. I am ordering "Tyler" labeled rounds for CS forces and "St. Louis" labeled rounds for Federals.

I did not know that Mike rolled English rounds in the proper way. So as far as what they cost and delivery time, you'll have to ask him. Give him a call as he is a very nice and helpful pard. I plan on calling him myself to ask about the English rounds. Hope that helps.

Best regards, Bill.

[firstexas]

Jay,

I called Mike this afternoon. He does roll rounds in the proper English style. They do take more time for him to roll thus they are a bit more expensive. He charges $6.50 per pack of 10 rounds with no caps. He also told me that the original English rounds were not bundled with caps. The caps came separately. Mike said that he can have some English rounds rolled for BGR if anyone is so inclined.

Pards, Bill.

[MO-Pard]

Jay,

I called Mike this afternoon. He does roll rounds in the proper English style. They do take more time for him to roll thus they are a bit more expensive. He charges $6.50 per pack of 10 rounds with no caps. He also told me that the original English rounds were not bundled with caps. The caps came separately. Mike said that he can have some English rounds rolled for BGR if anyone is so inclined.

Pards, Bill.

Bill-

Just walked in the door from working out, (for BGR no less,) and you beat me to the punch! Had planned to call him tonight and post what I found out.

Thank you for checking on this and I will definitely PM you for some after Frank's glowing review of them. I suspect you will have several others requesting these as well now.....

Thanks for doing all this for everyone and going the extra mile.

Best Regards

[firstexas]

It is my pleasure Jay. Happy to help.

Pards, Bill.

[firstexas]

Pards,

I have ordered the rounds for BGR. If you placed an order through me, your rounds will be at BGR waiting for you on Wednesday March 14th. There are still a few of you who have placed an order and have not paid me yet. Please send me the funds as I have covered your order for now. Thanks and I'll see you in Louisiana!!

Best regards, Bill.

[firstexas]

Pards,

I have received all the rounds!! My thanks to Mike watson for the great work and fast delivery. For all those who ordered through me, I will have your rounds for you at BGR. There are still a couple guys who have not paid me for their order. I'll see you in the field.

Best regards, Bill.

[Charles Heath]

Dang, Bill, that reminds me I need to roll some more rounds sometime in the next week or so. Thanks, thanks a lot. :-)

[MO-Pard]

Although Bill has already ordered and received rounds for those responding..... There was some word on the BGR forum Dusty Lind many be rolling rounds for sale with proceeds going to preservation....

Is this still in the works and if so do we know price as of yet? I think many, myself included, had hoped to have time to roll rounds (or in my case additional rounds), but time and other prep have got in the way. Just curious if those of us should pull an all-nighter, or can we sleep easy and put some money toward preservation?

Can't believe it is almost here. Seemed like forever and I know it will go so fast.

Best Regards

[myster]

"All nighter" is a dengerous saying around here that is not to be taken lightly. Spring Break in eight hours baby! Can't wait to spend it out in the woods. :martini_s
Cheers
Sean Harla

[Gallo de Cielo]

Jay,

No, Dusty had hoped to have some rounds available but as it turns out he won't be able to.

Best to spend these last few days rollin' up a bunch.

And pack Marty Rubin in that van too!

Cordially,

[MO-Pard]

Yes, chatted with Marty last night, and hoping to add him to the fold.

He is fine with riding on the luggage rack and spotting deer. Venison for all on arrival.

Will do on the rounds. Good to know now.

Can't wait.

[firstexas]

Pards,

A few guys have contacted me in the last week looking for rounds for BGR. I did order extra rounds just in case but if any of you have the time before the event, please roll some. I have asked around and I believe we will have plenty but it would not hurt to bring a few more if you can help out. Please bring extra caps as well if you can. Thanks and I will see you all next Wednesday!!

Best regards, Bill.

[MO-Pard]

Jay,

No, Dusty had hoped to have some rounds available but as it turns out he won't be able to.

Best to spend these last few days rollin' up a bunch.

And pack Marty Rubin in that van too!

Cordially,

Fred-

Have Marty, bound and gagged in the basement, so he will be joining the company.

Jay

[Spinster]

Venison for all on arrival.

.

Will provide chickens in trade. Must arrive before Federal army.

Somewhere in Louisiana,

[burt60]

Thanks again for the rounds.

[firstexas]

My pleasure pards.

I am trying to get caught up at work but I will post my thoughts on BGR asap. I had a wonderful time. It was an experience of a lifetime. My hat is off to all who made the march.

Pards, Bill.