Patch And Wad Questions

[Zonie]

The good news is, the fabric on a bolt of material is usually about 45" or more wide.

That makes one yard of it big enough to cut over 970, 1 1/4" X 1 1/4" square patches.

That makes each patch cost less than a penny.

A 1 1/4" square patch will work fine in a .50 cal bore as well as a .54. With the .54 you'll have to be a little careful to make sure that at least 1/8 inch of the patch extends outside the bore on all sides but that isn't hard to do.

If you want to cut the patches for a .54 cal bore they should be about 1 3/8" square.

Even at this larger size, one yard of material should make about 830 patches.

Yes, square patches work just as well as round ones and they are a lot easier to make.

 

[NEW222]

Great, thank you. I was not too sure of patch size best suited to which caliber of rifles, but now thanks to you I do know. I agree that a square patch is easiest to do.

 

[tenngun]

You may well find that a wad behind a maxi or real some what messes with the accuracy

 

[Grenadier1758]

You can use 100% cotton diaper cloth or 100% cotton cloth is the children's fabrics for cleaning patches or over powder wads. It will likely be treated for fire retardant, but unless you are using it for char cloth, you shouldn't have a problem.

 

[Mean Gene]

:bull: I agree some of those videos are as you described, but not all. There are videos on line done by responsible shooters that can be helpful to new shooters.

In my opinion any videos depicting harmful or dangerous shooting should not be posted.

I suppose I should have looked up some good examples of safe responsible shooters who were sharing there knowledge of "how to" load a black powder gun.

Back when I received my first muzzle loader I had no idea how to load it, so first thing I did was go out looking for any books I could find on the subject.
There was Internet but most people I knew including my self didn't have a computer.
Fortunately I found a book by Sam Fadala, if it hadn't been for his books it would have been rough trying to figure it out. At the time I didn't know anyone who knew anything about muzzle loaders.

 

[Cruzatte]

Back when I received my first muzzle loader I had no idea how to load it, so first thing I did was go out looking for any books I could find on the subject.....
Fortunately I found a book by Sam Fadala, if it hadn't been for his books it would have been rough trying to figure it out. At the time I didn't know anyone who knew anything about muzzle loaders.

That was exactly my experience back in the'80s when I started out. I probably bought the same book! :grin:

 

[mooman76]

Myself also. Got the book from a library and then bought one when I got a chance. I knew no one at the time that knew how, so I learned on my own with help from the book.

 

[Mean Gene]

I've collected three of his books over the years and still keep an eye out for more, he's a very knowledgeable wrighter.

 

[Billnpatti]

Yep, exactly what Clyde said. Pocket drill is not some exotic material so if the salesperson didn't know what "drill" is, she is just up on her kinds of material. Next time ask for the manager. You can also carry a small dictionary to show them the definition of "drill". Drill is a type of highly durable tight weave and a 100% cotton drill fabric is what you are looking for. Like Clyde said, ask for "pocket drill". If they still look at you with that vacant stare, try a different fabric shop.

 

[Billnpatti]

Ok. Thanks for the quick responses. I will discard of the felt I bought and resort to trying out the cardboard. I wish I could shop at Walmart, but up here, they do no longer carry fabric. Only small pre-packaged swatches. Also, no Hobby Lobby either. It looks like we are getting bent over the barrel up here for these hobbies and interests.

Also, I thought I had mentioned, but this is all for my TC New Englander in 54 calibre.

Here is your best source for felt for making wads. http://www.durofelt.com/image_26.html

The best way I have found to lube my wads is to spread my lube of choice (in my case, it is usually Bore Butter) on the felt sheet like buttering toast. Then I put it in the microwave for a few seconds to melt the lube into the felt. Let it cool and then start punching out your wads.

 

[NEW222]

Ok. So, I went to the fabric store that had the ticking. They did indeed have some, but, it was all .005 - .008 thick! So, I went and found a 100% cotton twill that measured at .017" thick, so I bought that as well as a piece of something else that was .012" thick and 100% cotton to try out. Hopefully one of these will work. The only real denim found was .032", and all the rest was a blend and had spandex as the other part so no dice there either. Oh well, at least I will have something to cut up this weekend. Now the last remaining question is to wash or not before cutting. Anyways, just wanted to update my quest.

 

[NEW222]

Ok. So after re-reading my topic here, I will be washing my material before using. Thanks again.

 

[Zonie]

I'd recommend hand washing your material in a tub or a bucket.

It will have a LOT of loose threads that can plug up an automatic washing machines drain.

Your mainly going to be trying to get the "sizing" or starch out of the cloth and it is water soluble so some washing and a lot of rinsing should do the trick.

 

[NEW222]

Funny you mentioned the thread fraying and plugging up the machine. Just happened the other day. I found a piece of material that I cut into 3 strips and machine washed. It was indeed stringy after the process. The better half will be away tomorrow, so I will brave it and wash it in the kitchen sink. I only bought .2 yards of both fabrics, so it isn't a lot to wash. This is all if you don't have a reason not to use the sink. As well, tomorrow, I might run out to the 'other' store and see if they have denim in the correct thickness as well and buy a piece. While washing by hand in the sink, bucket, or tub, do you use any sort of detergent or soap? Or is it just a wash and or good rinse? Thank you again.

 

[Zonie]

If you go to another store just ask them if they have any cotton or linen, tight weave cloth that could be used to make heavy duty pockets in a mans pants.

If you start talking about pillow ticking about the only word they will hear is the word "pillow" so they will start thinking about pillow case material.

Most of them don't have the foggiest idea about a material that the actual pillow or matress is made from which explains the blank stare they give when someone walks up and says, "Ye gots any piller tickin' 'round har?" :rotf:

 

[Kansas Jake]

The best way to wash it if using a washing machine is to do it before you cut it into pieces or strips. After that is is fairly easy to just rip of a long strip without having to cut each strip. You will get a few frayed strings, but they pull off easily. I just keep a fairly wide piece in my range box and rip of a strip and then cut patches at the muzzle. If I'm shooting a small caliber the strip can be thinner. If something larger caliber, the the strip is ripped wider.

 

[NEW222]

You must know the stores around here. But I think that the look that I get when I pull out my digital calipers and start measuring is slightly better. :grin:

 

[coloradoclyde]

Ok. So, I went to the fabric store that had the ticking. They did indeed have some, but, it was all .005 - .008 thick! So, I went and found a 100% cotton twill that measured at .017" thick, so I bought that as well as a piece of something else that was .012" thick and 100% cotton to try out. Hopefully one of these will work. The only real denim found was .032", and all the rest was a blend and had spandex as the other part so no dice there either. Oh well, at least I will have something to cut up this weekend. Now the last remaining question is to wash or not before cutting. Anyways, just wanted to update my quest.

Yes! wash it!

It is also a good idea to calibrate your fabric measuring technique with known fabric thicknesses...Everyone measures differently. Actual fabric micrometers have spring loaded jaws that maintain the same tension on the fabric from measure to measure...