Holes in patches?

[DEJ]

Thanks Smallpatch and Blahman and everyone else for all the info. I'll definitely try some more variations of the ball/patch combination and also the FFg to see how that works.

Thanks again,

DEJ

 

[JOHN L. HINNANT]

Greetings DE}

I have been working with a new, never used Green River Works Barrel made up into a light bench rifle (19 pounds).

This barrel has never been used before. A bore scope shows absolutely nothing wrong in the bore. It not only blows holes in the center of the patch, but completely shreads a patch.

The barrel is 50 caliber, 34 inches long, 1-66 riflig twist with equal width lands and grooves. Grooves are 0.011 inch deep.

Loading data is 0.495 ball, 0.017 inch thick Egyptian cotton patching Teflon coated lube, and 95 grains of Goex 2FF black powder.

Two weeks ago, I started using an OX-YOKE felt over-wad over the powder charge. ALL problems stopped. The rifle is now shooting 50's with X's at 50 yards on an official NMLRA target.

Although my heavy bench gun (58 caliber) require a felt over-wad, it uses 185-200 grains of Goex 2FF black powder. That is understandable for that barrel and heavy powder charge.

However, I have no explanation for a barrel is using only 95 grains of black powder.

Possibly the edges of the crown are still a bit sharpe and starting a slight pre-cut of the patch during the loading procedure. I intend to break the crown edge a bit more. Will report on this after shooting the rifle.

In the meantime, try a felt over-wad. Ox-YOKE makes them in a variety of caliber sizes.

Best regards, John L. Hinnant

 

[BLAHMAN]

Thanks Smallpatch and Blahman and everyone else for all the info. I'll definitely try some more variations of the ball/patch combination and also the FFg to see how that works.

Thanks again,

DEJ

That would be cool, you don't have to on my account, it's just that my interest is piqued and wonder if it (2f) would make a difference in your patch problem...let everybody know, learning new stuff is great!

 

[DEJ]

Blahman,
Yeah, half the fun is experimenting plus I need to stock up on FFg for that smoothbore I plan on getting when I get home.

Thanks for the help,

DEJ