Cleaning Patch Size for .54 caliber

[joliver]

I'm just getting back into muzzleloading after a few years' absence, so I've got a bunch of things to relearn. First, what size cleaning patches are correct for a .54 rifle--2 1/2" x 2 1/2" or 3" x 3"? I only had a few left over from years ago and they were all 3 x 3, but most suppliers advertise the 2 1/2 x 2 1/2 as appropriate for anything from .45 cal to .58 cal.

joliver

 

[Billnpatti]

If the 3 X 3 patches will go into your bore with your jag, use them. If they are too tight and difficult to get started in the bore, cut them down so that they do fit. I don't use pre-cut cleaning patches, I buy diaper flannel from the fabric shop and rip it into strips. No measurements, just eyeball it. Then I cut the strips into cleaning patches. Again, I just eyeball it. Just use whatever works for you.

Having said that the size of the cleaning patch is not all that important, I am a bit more particular when making my patches for my rifle balls. I cut the width about 2 1/2 to 3 times the diameter of the ball. Much narrower and they will not cover the ball completely. Much bigger and they will tend to wrap up around your ram rod tip and make it hard to remove from the bore. So, for a .54 caliber ball, I would cut my ball patches anywhere from 1 3/8 X 1 3/8 to 1 3/4 X 1 3/4.

 

[joliver]

Billnpatti,

Thanks for your help. When I cleaned my rifle the other day I used my few remaining 3x3 patches and they were a snug fit, but O.K. As far as shooting patches go, I've always used the pre-cut ones. However, when I get started this time, I may use a strip of pillow ticking, short-start the ball, and cut the strip off at the muzzle.

joliver :thumbsup:

 

[Archer 756]

:hmm: I most be just cheap, why buy cleaning patch when one can use old cotton bed sheets and cut size as needed op: op:

 

[Zonie]

Personally, I'd lean towards using the 2 1/2 X 2 1/2 patches.

They will be less likely to "bunch up" above the jag and become wedged into the bore.

The 2 1/4 X 2 1/4 inch commercial pistol cleaning patches made for a .45 work fine for cleaning my .54 caliber rifles.

 

[joliver]

Zonie,

I bought some 2 1/2 x 2 1/2 patches and I'll try them too.

joliver :thumbsup:

 

[Kansas Jake]

I'm cheap too and always have a t-shirt that is getting worn out, so those get cut into cleaning patches.

 

[Billnpatti]

Billnpatti,

Thanks for your help. When I cleaned my rifle the other day I used my few remaining 3x3 patches and they were a snug fit, but O.K. As far as shooting patches go, I've always used the pre-cut ones. However, when I get started this time, I may use a strip of pillow ticking, short-start the ball, and cut the strip off at the muzzle.

joliver :thumbsup:

Sounds good to me. While, just for convenience, I usually use my pre-cut patches that I cut myself, I actually believe that the best patch is the one cut at the muzzle.

A snug fitting cleaning patch is fine and probably does a better job than a loose fitting patch. Just be sure not to use them dry. a tight fitting patch needs the lubrication of oil, soapy water, etc. A tight fitting dry patch has caused many problems for folks by getting stuck in the bore. When drying your bore, use a dry patch that is not so tight fitting. Another important tip is to make sure that all of your ram rods and cleaning rods tips are cross pinned to prevent them from coming loose as you try to remove a tight patch or a ball from the bore. Rod tips that are just glued on and not cross pinned are the bane of muzzleloading.