Burning Patches

[78CJ]

After a little advice here last year I stuck with the bottle of lube I had (CVA Patch Lube about 10 yrs old) and bought me some pillow ticking. I can't remember off hand now weather it was .015 or .018. Last year I had my Bobcat shooting good at 50 yards (around 1.5"). This year I pull it out, load it up, shoot and totally miss a 14"x14" target at 50 yards. Found patch, looked almost like I could use it again. I thought, well at least I am not burning patches. The next three shots without swabing were total misses also but the catch is that the patches were nearly incinerated with my biggest observation being that the center was burned out?

60 Grains of RS and .490 ball.

What the heck would have changed since last year??????

Ryan

 

[rafterob]

Could possibly be a chemical change in the lube that has made it more susceptible? Pyrodex burns hotter than black powder, but a 60 grain load shouldn't be a problem. As for missing the target, you may have bumped the sights, check them well for movement. You could use a 5 grain filler of cornmeal or cream of wheat on top of the powder to prevent patch burn.

 

[Rifleman1776]

Not knowing anything about the Bobcat I looked it up.
This is a rifle that retails for between $50.00 and $100.00. Not a good start.
It is designed for bullets, not balls.
From here there is no way to tell how tight/loose your .490 ball fit. You may simply be getting blow-by of gasses due to a loose fit. That would also account for the lack of accuracy.

 

[longcruise]

I think it's a 1/48. Should shoot round ball just fine, especially with a light load such as 60 RS (I am assuming he is measuring by volume. If he is shooting 60 RS by weight, that's another story)!

Worst case, 78cj, is that you did not clean or store the gun properly and the barrel has become rough from corrosion. I doubt you have a lube problem. That type of charge and load will usually not burn an un-lubed patch if it fits the bore tight enough.

 

[Rifleman1776]

Should shoot round ball just fine

The CVA site suggests bullets.
Hopefully it is a 1:48 or slower. Then it is a matter of finding a ball size and patch combo that works.

 

[VEARL]

I have the CVA Mountain rifle ( same as a Bobcat)
It is a 1/32 rate of twist.
I use a lubed felt wad over 80 gr. of 3f BP w/ a 225 GR. LEE REAL BULLET. 3 inch group at 75 yds. With 50 gr. of BP, over powder lubed wad w/ RB, I can get a 2 to 3 inch group at 50 yds.
Not bad for a cheapo gun. Just work with it awhile and see what happens. Think this will be my light weight deer gun next season.
Came in second place at the local club shoot, last sunday with this gun. Gotta love the lil' misfit.

 

78cj,
I have 4 Bobcats, that we use for the kids at the club, all in .50 caliber. The ROT on all of them is 1-48 and we use .495 ball with a .015 patch and 35-50 grains of 2F, depending on the range. All of these shoot very accuratly with that load.
Mark

 

[78CJ]

Yeah, it is 1/48 and I am using 60grs by volume. I will try a littel steel wool (0000) in the bore and give it another shot (pardon the pun) but I keep it very clean.

The first patch was like new and the last three were BLACK, just can't figure it out.

Thanks

Ryan

 

[ohio ramrod]

I suggest you try adding an over powder wad before the patched round ball. If you don't have any try just folding a dry patch over and using it as an over powder wad. I have found this helps on patches burning through. :idunno:

 

[Rat Trapper]

Try some different patch material and up your powder charge. I would also try a different powder as some claim pyrodex has a short shelf life. Subs need to be kept in the orginal container not in a horn. If you can't get Goex black powder try Tripple Seven.

 

[78CJ]

I never thought of trying the stuff in the can instead of the horn.......hmm might have to try that.

Ryan

 

[Leatherbark]

If you used patches that was lubed with that lube from a year ago the lube probably deteriorated the weave of the patching possibly causing the cloth to "rot". I've experienced patch burn in the past using patches that were lubed with something that over time weakened the cloth fibers.

Bob

 

[ZUG]

If you used patches that was lubed with that lube from a year ago the lube probably deteriorated the weave of the patching possibly causing the cloth to "rot". I've experienced patch burn in the past using patches that were lubed with something that over time weakened the cloth fibers.

Bob

I vote for Leatherbark's answer if the patches were indeed prelubed some time in the past. I have also experenced this on a woods walk with old patches that were pre-lube for some time before the shoot :thumbsup: .

 

[78CJ]

Patches were not pre-lubed, shot a ton of rounds on Friday with varying patches, and thicknesses. Never really got it to settle down.
All of the pillow ticking patches I recovered had a round spot missing out of the middle the size of the bore. One patch from a 60 grain load landed on the ground and I sat and watched it burn completely??????????????

 

[Stumpkiller]

Are you sure your patch materisl is cotton? If it's burning as you watch I'd be thinking you have some synthetic that is melting away.

Your fired patches should look like this (though the 0.010" patch is a bit on the charred side).

 

[78CJ]

My patches are pillow ticking, look just like the one on the right except there is a hole where the ball sits in the middle.

 

[Stumpkiller]

Pillow tick just mean's it wraps around a pillow. The material can be cotton or man-made.

I've never had one burn through. If it's cotton then you must not be using enough lube. :idunno:

 

[Leatherbark]

Looks like not enough lube in the weave. If it is a liquid lube I saturate all of my patches until sloppy wet and then squeeze out the excess with a paper towell.

The only time I ever had a patch lay on the ground an burn is when I tried the dry patch system some people advocate. Even then it was probably not enough oil in the mix. You'll figure it out I'm sure.

By the way, the best way to get a rifle to settle down and shoot good is to use good old spit on the patch and then go from there. Not very good for hunting but I'll swear nothing beats spit for target shooting.



Bob

 

[FRJ]

I fought the same thing several years ago with P/dex. I would get the rifle zeroed and a week later it was all over the place. Switched to real black powder and I couldnt believe the difference. Try some you'll like it. FRJ

 

[russecv58]

I fought the same thing several years ago with P/dex. I would get the rifle zeroed and a week later it was all over the place. Switched to real black powder and I couldnt believe the difference. Try some you'll like it. FRJ

+1 for real BP. :thumbsup: