An OLD Ammo question..

[PJgunner]

Best I can do is a very wild assed guess (WAG). I couldn't find anything in my reference books so here goes. I think it might be a cartridge for some kind of muzzle loader. Probably removed the bullet and poured the powder down the barrel, then rammed the bullet home. It would be interesting to see what the base of the bullet looked like but that would most likely mean the desruction of the cartridge. If the bullet had a hollow base like Minie Ball, that would tend to confirm my thoughts. You did not mention a primer and there is no rim to contain the round against a firing pin blow which also tends to make me think it's a cartridge for a muzzle loader.
Anyway, that's my best WAG.
Paul B.