Doubling patches

[RDavidP]

I am relatively new at this especially when it comes to playing around with patch thickness. I have a .50 CVA Bobcat, and use .490 roundball and .010 patch with 80 to 90gr. Goex FFg. This patch seems to be too thin because it is not until the fifth or sixth shot before I get a decent groupings. Also my patches usually have a big hole in them. I have a whole bunch of these .010 patches, and have been thinking about trying to use two patches for a thickness of .020. These patches are the pre-lubed, pre-cut kind from Thompson Center I believe. Is it ok to double a patch like that? Would that be too thick to be safe? In other words, as long as the ball and patch can be pushed down the barrel and on top of the powder with normal use of the ramrod, I should not worry?

Should I worry if I have to ram it home using a hammer on the ramrod? :rotf:

 

[Claude Mathis]

Here's a previous thread.
[url] http://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/fusionbb/showtopic.php?tid/203665[/url]

 

[Dave Rosenthal]

First, welcome to the Forum! Yes indeed you can double-up on those .010 pre-lubed patches, IF the rifle manufacturer says to use a .020 patch with a .490 roundball. Right now it sounds like you're getting what we on the Forum call "blow-by". This is what is causing your patches to be burned.

When using your ramrod with the 2 patches, try doing this with just your jag first, instead of over a charge, just to be sure that they will fit. If any doubt at all exists, try .015 patches first.

I too have a .50 cal. and use a .020 patch with a .490 roundball for the first 6 shots or so. Then I either brush-out the bore and cap-off again to avoid a missfire-OR- I switch to my .015 patches and keep on shooting with the dirty bore. So you might want to get those .015 patches anyway .

One last thought...depending upon the length of your barrel (or other considerations), you may want to think about giving 3F powder a try. I use 70 grains of 3F in my Lyman Trade Rifle to great effect. That's approx. the equivilant to the charge you're using. Bore stays cleaner longer due to a more complete burn of the BP in the shorter barrel and if your're a pistol shooter like me, you only have to stock one granulation .

Again, welcome to the Forum & all the best, Dave

 

[silverfox]

I see no problem with double patching your bobcat. I also see no reason to be using 90 gr. loads in that gun when shooting at paper your charge is enough for bear. I agree with Smoken50 you need to cut back to 40 to 60 gr. for target and also try 3F. You will get a cleaner burn and less fouling which mean more shots between cleaning. Try a 15 to 18 patch and when you get the lube and patch ball size correct you should be able to shoot most of the day without cleaning. Roundball uses Hoppes #9 Black powder solvent as a lube and cleaner and shoots 40 to 50 shots at a session without cleaning. When you get it right you should be able to do that to.
Fox :hatsoff:

 

[Don B]

Another similar thread here.

Don

 

[arcticap]

I agree with silverfox to cut back the powder charge. Also, are your patches lubed with a high viscosity patch lube like Bore Butter?
If the patches still have a hole, try a homemade overpowder wad made from a card, a small compressed wad of newspaper, a cotton ball or two (it smolders!), or wool bore button.
A .020 patch might be too thick, resulting in poor accuracy and be very difficut to load even using a mallet.
Another option would be to combine the .010's with .005's to equal .015's, a more common patched round ball combination.
Since the .010 patches are often used with .495 round balls, you could also just save the patches for when you do try out the larger size balls.

 

[Blizzard of '93]

I don't see as it would not do in a pinch but snug fit is better and not-too-much lube.