New Shooter Question about Pillow Ticking

[Cohutta Ranger]

I went with the wife today to Joann Fabric in search of the "correct" pillow ticking for PRB shooting. I took along a micrometer and measured the thickness of it on the bolt. All three bolts came out .015 not squeezing the micrometer down tight. This was the blue striped stuff in 100% cotton made in China. Are there different thicknesses available? Do you always wash the sizing out first before using as patch material?

I am new to muzzleloading but already have 2 50s and a 36 so I'm hooked.

Thanks,
Dan

 

[lorren68]

It is available in different sizes, but you just have to check until you find the size you need and then buy as much as you can. Some people wash the sizing out and some dont, I have used it both ways. I noticed a difference in the materials ability to absorb lube when unwashed as opposed to washed, with the washed being the better of the two.

I am sure some of the folks who have been at this longer than me will chime in shortly.

 

[jamesthomas]

You can ask them if they have Mattress Ticking it's a bit thicker. The last I bought measured .024 but they had some that was .018.

 

[Dphar]

I went with the wife today to Joann Fabric in search of the "correct" pillow ticking for PRB shooting. I took along a micrometer and measured the thickness of it on the bolt. All three bolts came out .015 not squeezing the micrometer down tight. This was the blue striped stuff in 100% cotton made in China. Are there different thicknesses available? Do you always wash the sizing out first before using as patch material?


I am new to muzzleloading but already have 2 50s and a 36 so I'm hooked.

Thanks,
Dan

.015 is OK squeezed tight.
I buy the narrower stuff that is stiff with sizing.
Wash hot and dry on high, iron and its ready to make into patches.

Dan too

 

[Cohutta Ranger]

Thanks guys for your input. I like the feel of what I have after washing. It measures .016 snug but can still move fabric around and .011 screwed down tight where it can't move.
Think that will work OK?

I have some pre-cut, unlubed ones that measure .020 snug and .016 tight.

Dan

 

[oldarcher]

To measure patch material you need to tighten the Mic fairly tight. Much tighter than if you were normally measuring something, and it is important to try to use the same pressure when measuring different material. Material that measures .015 may squeeze to .011 or less. You are going to compress the material when you load so that is the way to accuratly measure the thickness. Patch thickness is just one factor in determining the proper load combination. Just my 2 cents...

 

[Loyalist Dave]

Yes this is true, and folks often make a minor mistake in that they forget that the patching material is pretty tight when loading into a barrel with a ball. I always wash ticking in hot water, then on high in the dryer, as it tightens up a bit and thickens. It mikes out to .011 with a tight gauge. This works in one rifle, but not in my new .40 which mikes the grooves out at .410, so I had to increase the patch material out to something that is .015 with my .390 ball. Accuracy got better but not as good as I want it so I will be trying chamois, which I miked out at .020.

LD

 

[Dphar]

Thanks guys for your input. I like the feel of what I have after washing. It measures .016 snug but can still move fabric around and .011 screwed down tight where it can't move.
Think that will work OK?

I have some pre-cut, unlubed ones that measure .020 snug and .016 tight.

Dan

Remember that screwing a Mic down tight is hazardous to the mic. This tight you are springing the mic an its give inaccurate readings. Try it with no cloth and you will likely see you are springing it significantly. Its why they have a "clutch".
It should measure about .018 just snug and .015 pretty tight.
I never take a mic to the fabric store but run on feel.
"Drill" and denim will also work for patching.
I always used heavy ticking or heavy linen. Linen is less compressible than cotton and can be slightly thinner and still work.
I would stop worrying about thickness and TRY the stuff and see what actually works.

Dan

 

[Billnpatti]

Yes, there are different thicknesses of pillow ticking. You just have to check them all until you find what you are looking for. You might also try a material that is called "pocket drill". If you are looking for something a bit thicker than pillow ticking, take a look at the lighter weight denim material. Just be sure to get 100% cotton. I wash my patch material twice in detergent alone. Do not use any fabric softener because it reduces the ability of the material to absorb lube. After washing, I run an iron over the material to get out the wrinkles and then it is ready to use for making patches. Unwashed material straight from the store is full of sizing and that makes it not absorb lube very well. Washing gets rid of the sizing and seems to fluff the fabric just a bit. If you use your micrometer on the fabric before and after washing you will find that after washing it will be just a few thousandths thicker. Not a problem because it will compress back down when you load it in your rifle. Actually, it seems to make a better seal after washing.

 

[Maven]

All of the advice is excellent, but you should also know that there are other types of material than mattress- or pillow ticking, some of which will mic .018" (compressed). 100% cotton denim (7 oz. or heavier), duck cloth, or muslin come to mind. Moreover, all cloth doesn't compress to the same degree, even though the initial thickness is what you're seeking. E.g., I used muslin and a heavier denim the other day in my .54cal. FL and found the denim, although .002" thicker (compressed) loaded with less effort than the muslin.

 

[Rifleman1776]

Everyone so far is right.
Not only are there different types and thicknesses, but different batchs from same manufacturer can vary.
I use a micrometer that has a rachet type clutch in it to prevent over tightening. That way I get a consistent measure.
Some guys buy entire bolts to maintain consistency. But, I have found, the ticking I get from evil ole' Walmart to be very consistent so I only get one or two yards at a time. Works for me.

 

[hanshi]

I don't have a mic and use a caliper. The caliper replicates the lands more than does a mic. fabric is not squeezed as tight in the grooves as it is on the lands. Filling the grooves is what's important. As long as you use the same pressure and don't overdo it you'll get consistency and that's what you need.

 

[Rifleman1776]

consistency and that's what you need.

That is what we all need. :grin:

 

[Cohutta Ranger]

Went to Hancock Fabrics today and found some thick, genuine "Made in America since 1860" pillow ticking for a bargain price of $5.99 per yard! The thinner China stuff at Joann's was $12.99. I bought a couple of yards so maybe that will hold me for awhile.

I really appreciate all your comments. I am new to black powder but love it from the get-go. I am really liking this forum.

Dan

 

[majg1234]

great...... welcome to the addiction,I've also found I get good consistant loads with thinner patches by using a wool felt wad over the powder....do this on all my smokepoles from 32 cal to 62 cal

 

[Rifleman1776]

I'm not sure you can assign the differences in thickness to American vs. China made. One may be a bed (thick) ticking and the other pillow (thin) ticking.

 

[Grandpa Ron]

I buy the ticking then wash it to remove the sizing and fuff it up some.

It usually comes out about .020" to .022" but I did have a batch that came out .025".

My rifle is less particular than my smoothbore. It seems the rifling gives the slightly thicker patch a place to go.

A .005" increased patch thickness is noticable with my rifle but very difficult with my smoothy.

As mention, not all ticking is the same, I was given a batch that was washed three times and still felt stiff. They did make good cleaning patches. :wink:

 

[Leatherbark]

I have tried it all at Jo-Anns. The best fabric I have found there is there .022 inch canvas. They have it in all colors including blaze orange. I've never seen it burn through.
My problem with their ticking is that sometimes they have the heavier stuff and sometimes they have the thinner ticking which is too light for my tastes. Even their No.40 cotton drill is different from time to time. The canvas fabric they have is perfect in all my guns.
I like it because the weave is the same on both sides. I'm a stickler about positioning the same weave against the bore/rifling the same each shot.

Bob
Bob

 

[catman]

As of latly been using cotton drill, very tough stuff. You could almost use it again, in a pinch.

 

[tom deinek]

"I run an iron over the material to get out the wrinkles"

Whatever for? Trying to impress BP chicks?