CUT AT THE MUZZLE, ROUND OR SQUARE

[flatcreek]

Made a post the other day about loading with square patches and got a bunch of pats on the back for the target I posted, which I appreciate, but that wasn't what I was after. I decided to try some square patches, because cutting at the muzzle ( which I had thought was the best, involved another tool and more steps). Went out back to see if square would work and to my surprise I shot the best target I ever shot with that gun. ( 40 cal Tenn Mt) I thought the square patches with corners and not being concentric like cut at the muzzle would throw the ball off. I shot 11 shots and they were probably the 11 best shots I ever shot with the rifle. Not posting the targets because I have a stick with a hand on it and I can pat myself on the back. What I would like to know is what experience others have had with different shape or cut patches. I know 11 shot isn't conclusive, but for the near future I will be using square.
Thanks Phil

 

[Pete G]

Muzzle cut patches end up sort of square anyway. Even so, I prefer round patches and use a fender washer as a template and cut them with scissors. All tests I have seen show little or no difference between the two however.

 

[Grenadier1758]

Cut at the muzzle, round or square will have little differences on performance. Keep the round or square patches centered. Don't make the patches too large.

 

[flatcreek]

Like I said , I was surprised at how well I shot with them. I didn't think they would do as well as cut at the muzzle. Then again I may of just been having a really good day. We will see, this is what keeps it interesting for me.

 

[IanH]

It's been tested extensively. Makes no difference to group size.

 

[oldwood]

Makes no difference.

 

[ronaldrothb49]

I have always said that when your working up a load you try different things until you find what the RIFLE likes. Listen to your rifle.

 

[Dave Marsh]

Yep. Second the motion to listen to your rifle. It likes square patches so use them. Good luck.

 

[Banjoman]

Makes no difference to me.

 

[satwel]

I've always shot round patches. Last year I had a new rifle, and I began to experiment with cutting patches at the muzzle just out of curiosity. When I picked up my fired patches to examine, I was surprised to see that they were almost square. Seems counter intuitive. I just assumed they'd be round like a pre-cut patch. Anyway, I didn't see any difference in performance between precut and cut-at-the-muzzle patches.

 

[azmntman]

I cut at the muzzle for the (false) since that its perfect. It ddon'tmatter. And yes, my moneys on you had a great day LOL. Every once in a while we, (for whatever reason), shoot real real well. But never in competition, never.

 

[snakebit]

I make my own from ticking, it's just easier to cut, less time, less waste. I used to pre-cut a roll so I could just tear when I popped the short starter. Then I said to myself "dummy, just cut them all the way through". Less fuss.

 

[ZUG]

I use both round cut patches and strips of material that I cut at the muzzle. Either work fine for me. I cut my lubed patches with a cutter that I made that will cut round patches of different sizes. I keep them in 35mm film containers. The strips I lube with Mr. Flintlock's lube and roll the strips up and keep them in prescription containers.

 

[Eutycus]

Put me in the "Little or no difference" category.

 

[SDSmlf]

I guess it makes no difference until it does. Personally have found that as long as the patch isn’t so large it wants snag the ramrod tip when loading, or too small to cover the ball, patch material thickness, tightness of its weave and patch lube will influence accuracy. But not how the patch was cut.

I wonder if the type of powder measure used influences accuracy?

 

[beardedhorse]

ZUG, are those hole boring bits with teeth ground off and sharpened to use on a drill press? What size hole cutters fit what size patch for what caliber of round ball? Those at Ace seemed pricey and not sure if Harbor Freight's quality worth the money. Would square patches in a bullet loading block collect more dirt and grit?

 

[Piquant]

I use the Harbor freight hole saw that I ground off the teeth and sharpen the edge after. No problem with quality. I can cut hundreds in minutes.

 

[Pratt]

I must be the odd one. I use cloth strips. Lay it over the muzzle short a ball into the muzzle. Gather up the patch strip and cut it off with a patch knife. Not square or round...Stuffed bore size.

 

[Eutycus]

What size is that hole saw? I could guess but I don't know how big Piquant's fingers are.

 

[Codger Craig Wilcox]

I think the material and the lube make far more difference than the shape of the cut.