Cleaning Patches

[long gun]

Just bought a Pedersoli 32 cal blue ridge, haveing trouble finding cleaning patches. Could someone tell me what size to use and I could make some.

 

[Snakebite]

Buy some baby flannel from WalMart and cut into small cleaning patches. You might have to experiment to get the right size.

 

[Billnpatti]

Do like Snakebite says. Check the "bargain table" in the fabric section of Wal-Mart. They put left over pieces from rolls out there at reduced prices. Don't worry about what is printed on the fabric because Teddy Bears and little flowers printed on the fabric are not a problem. I'd try cutting a few squares about 1" by 1" or maybe 1 1/4 inch by 1 1/4 inch to see how they work. I have a .36 caliber rifle and that size works fine for it. Not much difference in bore size between a .32 and a .36 so they ought to work just fine. :thumbsup:

 

[mooman76]

I use old T-shirts cut up. They are free and work great. Cut to fit.

 

[cynthialee]

Sevan sews, I grab up all the scraps of quilters cotton from her waste bin.

 

[Rifleman1776]

Buy some baby flannel from WalMart and cut into small cleaning patches. You might have to experiment to get the right size.

Yep. That's what I do. Cut up with sissors.

 

[Ken Cormier]

I use cotton flannel bought a half a bolt years ago. Don't know it you have to but I washed mine twice before using. :2

 

[BrownBear]

Don't know it you have to but I washed mine twice before using.

You really do need to run it through the washer and dryer before cutting it up. Dunno about twice, but there's something that comes on the fabric that keeps it from soaking up moisture well until it's been washed. Definitely wait till after you've washed it before cutting up. Don't even think about cutting the patches first and then washing, and don't ask me how I know that.... :redface:

For my 30, 32 and 36 cal muzzleloaders I cut the patches 7/8" to 1" square as a one-size-fits all. If I was just using them in 30 and 32 cal I'd probably cut them a little smaller, but not much.

 

[Rifleman1776]

Don't know it you have to but I washed mine twice before using.

You really do need to run it through the washer and dryer before cutting it up. Dunno about twice, but there's something that comes on the fabric that keeps it from soaking up moisture well until it's been washed. Definitely wait till after you've washed it before cutting up. Don't even think about cutting the patches first and then washing, and don't ask me how I know that.... :redface:

For my 30, 32 and 36 cal muzzleloaders I cut the patches 7/8" to 1" square as a one-size-fits all. If I was just using them in 30 and 32 cal I'd probably cut them a little smaller, but not much.

I don't wash before cutting up or use. Never had a problem with water absorption. For the record, my shooting patch material is washed before lubing and use.

 

[mooman76]

I have allot of different calibers so I really don't measure. I just cut into different sizes and eventually they all get used.

 

[BrownBear]

Never had a problem with water absorption.

Makes me wonder about different sources or "types" of flannel. I got mine when the local Wallyland shut down their fabric department, a whole bolt of the stuff for 50 cents per yard. Almost like it was oil-dipped, it was so reluctant to soak up water.

I'm here to tell you that a bolt is going to be going strong long after I take a dirt nap. Some future relative is going to be wondering what in the world that crotchety old geezer was doing with penguin printed flannel! :hmm:

 

[Snakebite]

I don't know about different "flannels", but I call it "baby flannel" and I've used blue, yellow and white, always absorbant and soft. I do not wash it as I'm afraid it would shrink to high Heaven. I just fold it over for the width I want it, cut along the fold and then fold that over for the length and cut that with scissors. Neat little square patches. Big ones for my .54 rifles and small ones for my .40cal. Real simple.

 

[JeffG]

My wife saves worn out flannel sheets for me. They make great cleaning patches. I tear them into strips and knot a few strips into a bundle, I tuck the knot into my shooting bag, and let the strips hang free. I can clean in the field without missing a beat. :hatsoff:

 

[Stumpkiller]

Flannel sheets for me as well. Works great and one sheet lasts a LONG time.

 

[bpd303]

I see no sense in buying new material for cleaning patches. I just cut up old t-shirts and jockey shorts that are 100% cotton. Small patches for my small calibers and large patches for my large calibers. I've never measured them but I'd guess 1 inch & 2 inch. They have been washed a bunch by the time the garment is retired.

 

[Vaino]

My wife's a real "saver" and it seems there's an endless supply of old flannel shirts. The old flannel shirt cloth varies in thickness so I cut down some jags to accommodate the varying thicknesses and bores. Some bores require doubling the cleaning patch and others use a single ply if the mat'l is thicker. Recycling is always a good, cheap way of saving some money.....besides, I get "browny points" w/ the wife :grin: ......Fred

 

[Snakebite]

Fred,
Down here in Texas we get to wear flannel about twice a year so the two or three flannel shirts I have never seem to wear out. :grin: So off to Walmart when I need flannel for patches.

 

[graybeard]

You could try buying a box of baby wipes and tearing into size for swabbing bore. Works great in my Tulle smoothbore. :grin: graybeard

 

[graybeard]

You could try buying a box of baby wipes and tearing into size for swabbing bore. Works great in my Tulle smoothbore. :grin: graybeard

 

[graybeard]

You could try buying a box of baby wipes and tearing into size for swabbing bore. Works great in my Tulle smoothbore. :grin: graybeard