does patch size matter?

[meanmike8665]

Hi Everyone,
It all matters. How the ball leaves the patch, how big the patch is,how thick, weighing, size of the ball. The wind and light will cause a " flier " faster than anything else. But it only matters if you are trying to win in a competition. If you are hunting, minute of deer is ok. When I shoot a match or am practicing, cleaning between shots matters, how I clean after a day of shooting matters. If my equipment is not ready when the match starts I am not going to shoot well let alone win anything. So, the question is, what are you trying to do?
Michael
PS, have won in Phoenix both rifle and pistol, I have won shooting in territorial matches in three different states. Some may even know my wife is a several tome Chamipion with rifle and pistol and she uses my system.

 

[FishDFly]

Lot's of hard work, bunch of dry firing and lot of mentoring, thanks to my mentors helping my dream.

 

[FishDFly]

She is a winner.

 

[frontierman01]

I am still new to muzzleloading. This is why I joined this forum so that those who have more knowledge about this would be able to answer any questions that I might have. thanks for taking the time to respond to my inquiry. And to answer YOUR question, no, hat size doesn't matter because I usually wear pull over knit caps or bandannas which are one size fits all. :grin:

 

[meanmike8665]

To be blunt, in patching a round ball in shooting a muzzle loader, SIZE matters.

Michael

 

[Rifleman1776]

I do weigh mine, think it does matter, set 5 National Records in Phoenix in 2014 in pistol.

Patch thickness does matter also.

Went from Marksman to Expert in Phoenix in that year and went on to Friendship in Fall of 2014 and placed well in the Expert Class.

Ifn ye can do it, it ain't braggin'. :wink: :thumbsup:

 

[Twisted_1in66]

I'd say that as long as it is large enough to cover the ball so you don't get blow-by, you're good. If its too big, just cut the excess at the muzzle.

I don't use pre-made patches but rather keep a strip of patching material of the right width in my bag. I'll lube the end of it, set it over the muzzle, push the ball on top of it and short start it so the ball is about even with the muzzle. Then I use my neck-knife to cut the patching material...done

So no, it doesn't matter if it's too big, just cut off any excess at the muzzle. If you can't grab the excess to easily cut it, then that patch is just fine without cutting.

Twisted_1in66 :thumbsup:
Dan

 

[Billnpatti]

Where are the guys that weigh their balls?....Why are they not chiming in?
Every variable matters to some degree....

Yep, you are absolutely correct in saying that every variable matters. However, the OPs question was not about all of the variables, only about patch size.

 

[hanshi]

Patches that are too large can tend to fold over or wrinkle up making seating more difficult.

 

[Col. Batguano]

I would love to see a high speed video of the post muzzle patch and ball separation, particularly to see if there might be an effect on the ball if a patch is slightly off center when rammed home.

Good point on over-sized patches. Note to self;
Do not use the whole beach towel next time. :shake:

 

[M. De Land]

If you cut your patch at the muzzle they will always be the right size for the gun your using.

 

[frontierman01]

these patches are pre-cut, unlubed round patches. plan on taking the rifle out in the woods next time or target range to see how they shoot. thanks

 

[robinsroost]

Obviously if two calibers are close in size there will not be a problem. I use the same patches for my .54 caliber GPR and my .50 caliber hawken replica. Keep yer powder dry.......robin :wink: