If the bullet had been pulled out by force, then none of the paper patch would have adhered to it, and none of the paper patch would have been left in a state where it could be measured. As it was, some measurements could be taken. Not as exact as I would like, but well within the expected range, and probably at or close to what it was originally. That paper patch was thinned with age, too. So that is why I cut the case open. To get at the components without disrupting them or at least minimally impacting them. The wads for sure would not have come out the case mouth, because they were absolutely jammed in there super tight. By cutting around them and peeling away the case, they could be gently tweezed out and studied whole and intact. Archaeology!
The powder in these Eley cases is British, of course, and probably C&H #6. Can't see what other powder it would be. Every British double rifle BPE and single shot I have seen calls for C&H #6. That is what Eley would have loaded.
