couple of questions

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Brownie

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If you were to precut your patches square or round what size would the be for a 32,45,50 caliber. Also, where can I get some sort of nipple cover for while I am walking.
 
look a pre cut patches and that will tell you. too large a patch may get caught up in your loading jag... about the cover... do you want to cover a capped nor uncapped nipple??
 
I have an old arch punch that cuts 1 1/8" patches that I use for all of the calibers you have listed. As far as a nipple cover, I just drill out a lead ball and slip it over cap and let the hammer rest on it while walking around.
drill another hole and attach a thong tied to the trigger guard and it won't get lost in your pocket with the other balls.
 
If you were to precut your patches square or round what size would the be for a 32,45,50 caliber. Also, where can I get some sort of nipple cover for while I am walking.
It's the patch thickness that's the crucial factor more so than the size. Thickness is dependent on the projectile size versus the bore dimension. These factors vary even within a given caliber.
 
For covering the nipple while walking I use a spent .22 casing. An LR case works fine but I prefer a short. That was a suggestion from another member a couple years ago I tried and it worked. Can't remember who it was or I'd give them credit for it.
 
If you were to precut your patches square or round what size would the be for a 32,45,50 caliber. Also, where can I get some sort of nipple cover for while I am walking.


For a cap cover, a small round piece of thickish leather on a tough piece of string or a piece of Leather lace tied to the trigger guard and placed on top of the capped nipple with the hammer holding it down. It will fall away when you bring the hammer to half or full ****.

For size of precut patches if you go with the circumference of a ball for minimum width of a square or round patch, it won't be too small.

C=pi x diameter so for 50 caliber:

C= 3.14 X .50 = 1.57" doesn’t have to be exact. If you round it to at least 1.5" it will not be too small and a little bigger won't hurt.
 
As stated earlier the thickness matters more than size. I have patches of various sizes and can use a 1" square up to a 2-1/4" round or square. on my 50 or 54. Some fit looser and some are very tight. In the end they all work.
As for a nipple guard, I've always used half-****. Some may say it's unsafe but in 40 years it has worked safely for me.
 
I got think about nipple covers that might be cheap. I saw several shot shotgun primers on the bench at the range. Drilled them out and they slip right on my nipple. Not water tight, but does protect the nipple.
 

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I got think about nipple covers that might be cheap. I saw several shot shotgun primers on the bench at the range. Drilled them out and they slip right on my nipple. Not water tight, but does protect the nipple.
I'm just wondering if that offers enough protection for dry firing?
 
I simply use a foam hearing protection ear plug over the nipple. They are cheap and I keep two or three in my shooting bag just in case I lose one.
When hunting, I put a cap on and just set the hammer to half. But if there is rain or snow, I will put the ear plug over the cap and set the hammer fully down onto it. Dense enough to keep moisture out. If a shot opportunity happens, I can easily flick it off once the hammer is all the way back.

I often leave the rifle loaded between hunting days. I remove the cap and the ear plug goes over the nipple with the hammer down on it for that too. Helps to keep out moisture and the yellow ear plug makes a great visual indicator to remind me the rifle is already charged.
 
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