I read alot of y’all’s post of checking your spent patches after your fire the rifle. How far out do they go ? Wardawg
How far does spent patches go ?
- Thread starter WarDawg
- Start date
Help Support Muzzleloading Forum:
10 to twenty five feet, sometimes a little left or right, depending on the wind and your rifle's twist. many will be in one pile.
ADK Bigfoot
ADK Bigfoot
Last edited:
Usually into the nearest dry weed or patch of dead grass. Seldom onto the bare dirt next to them. 
- Joined
- May 6, 2013
- Messages
- 4,282
- Reaction score
- 9,867
On my 25 yard range the patches are always half way down the range ....
I generally find mine about 10 yards or so away from the bench.
12 yards usually, but I must hold the Believe It or Not Record
of 29 yards. Shooting a .54 cal. with 80 grains Swiss.
of 29 yards. Shooting a .54 cal. with 80 grains Swiss.
Ditt44
40 Cal
If you're at the range and alone, 20-30 feet and lying right on top of the grass. If it's a busy day with other members, they land on edge and wiggle deep into the grass never to be found. Last Sunday morning I fired 20 shots... found three! It was a busy morning.
flatcreek
40 Cal
About 20' average for me, I always look at a few, just to see how things are going and to clean up. Have used a few over when I wanted to take a few more shoots and ran short.
People give me funny looks when I walk 15 - 20 feet or so forward of my bench during a cease fire and start scuffling in the grass. Though .... sometimes it's a great conversation-starter about black powder muzzleloading.
Ditt44
40 Cal
I was amused for two reasons... I was firing about once every four minutes but it was really humid and barely any breeze so my smoke was hanging all around their stalls/tables....not sure who had the worse smelling powder though. With all their fancy "black rifles" and schmancy pistols at 25 yards, I can guarantee you that my little .32 was shooting groups within an inch and their targets looked more like they were using shotguns.
Funny how often that happens, $800 Aimpoints are no match for a bit of notched steel and a brass blade.
Never thought about looking for a patch. So I don't know. My first rifle was a CVA kit called a Kentucky in 45 caliber. About 20 years ago. I was surprised at the accuracy of that thing. Especially on a rest. Did too much damage on cottontails. So I got a CVA 32 caliber kit. Once when me and my Pyrador were our hunting, I saw a turkeys about 100 yards away. I said, why not. Took a shot and missed, they scattered and one stayed put. I loaded as fast as I could. That shot did the trick. Was not a kill shot, just enough for my buddy to get to it and finish it off. Little ball was about an inch into the breast. I don't remember but I think it was 45gr 3f.
Turkey are legal with rifle in Texas during deer season.
Turkey are legal with rifle in Texas during deer season.
I retrieve mine and use ‘em again.
- Joined
- Jul 15, 2019
- Messages
- 6,179
- Reaction score
- 9,424
I always pick up a few patches in the grass 10 to 20 yds in front of the muzzle just to see what condition there in.
12 to 18 yards depending what lube I use.
Most of mine travel into outer space never to be found. A few come back to earth about 20-25' down range.
- Joined
- Mar 13, 2020
- Messages
- 7,493
- Reaction score
- 21,011
- Location
- On the Border in Idaho looking at BC
think i may have you beat. found a round ball, wrapped in the patch at m 60 yard target.
but usually my patches are 10-15 feet from muzzle.
When the rifle is new, I always look for the patches to see if they are torn, burnt, whatever, it had become just a habit to look for them, so I would say on average 10-15'. I guess it could depend on your lube, some may be sticker than others
I shoot minies or REALs no patches…
- Joined
- Jun 12, 2005
- Messages
- 8,017
- Reaction score
- 1,023
a bunch of mine get about thirty feet out. the rest are beamed up to the mothership, never to be seen again
