Patch Knife & Strips vs Pre-cut Patches?

[Greebe]

I am preparing some patches for round ball shooting. To date, I have always used store bought round patches. However I bought some ticking material to make my own patches and will use homemade Moose snot to lube them and was wondering if I should cut them into squares, or just leave the material in strips and use a patch knife to cut them off at the muzzle when loading.

What do you guys prefer?

Thanks,
Greebe

 

[tenngun]

I like precut and have used lots of square patchs. Lots of folks like to cut them at the muzzle and have good luck with them.You just have to try it and see how it works for you. when you settle on one the other will seem akward.
You cant go wrong with the way that works for you.

 

[Rifleman1776]

Matter of personal preference. I keep pre-lubed ticking in a plastic bag, just like the real mountain men did, and tear a strip when I need it. I cut at the muzzle.

 

[No Deer]

I prefer to cut at the muzzle. I have a hard time centering , and keeping the ball on center, with precut patches.

 

[Greebe]

Thanks guys. I will try out cutting patches at the muzzle to see how it works. The only thing that I was concerned about going this route, is scratching out the muzzle and dulling my knife. I might cut some squares and try both this week and see which I prefer.

Thank,
Greebe

 

[Mickc01]

I prefer to cut at the muzzle. I have a hard time centering , and keeping the ball on center, with precut patches.

:thumbsup: Me too. Have used strips and a patch knife for years. I even typically use the good ole spit patch method. Works well for me but then I don't claim to be a champion marksman either. Do what you find most comfortable and works well for you. :hatsoff:

 

[capt_turk]

I cut at the muzzle too. Just barely start the ball enough to keep it from popping out. Keep your knife angled up a bit and you won't have to worry about scratching the muzzle.

I keep my patch material rolled up in my shirt pocket. When I'm loading, I stick the end of the roll in my mouth till the powder is poured into the barrel. Works great for me. I do get some strange looks from the other people shooting modern firearms, at the gun range sometimes, though.. :grin:

 

[necchi]

The only thing that I was concerned about going this route, is scratching out the muzzle and dulling my knife.

Yeah, I did that when I first started cut at the muzzle.
Then a simple truth occurred to me,
There is no need to drag the blade across the muzzle face. :redface: :shocked2:

Seat the ball, grab the cloth an hold it up, then cut the fabric just above the muzzle.
Just like round or square cut, Extra fabric above the seated ball makes no difference.

 

[BrownBear]

I kinda came into strips and cutting at the muzzle through the back door.

I was filling ball blocks with precut patches, which left fabric sticking out the top of the block. The extra kept snagging on stuff and dislodging the balls. So I started "cutting at the muzzle" while filling my loading block. Like the results of that, so started doing the same with my rifles. Never looked back.

I keep a strip rolled in my shooting bag along with a little tin of lube for refilling the loading block with lots of shooting, as happens on small game hunts. Dandy. Just fine for loading the rifle when not using a block, too.

Saw a bud of mine tie a strip of patching to the strap on his shooting bag and work with that along with a little tin of lube, since he won't use loading blocks. That's dandy too.

Both of those are lots quicker for me than having prelubed patches in a tin or something, then fishing for those every time I load. Just my problem, and not a condemnation of the method.

 

[Black Hand]

Cut into squares, lube and store in a tin. Less work, easier and MUCH faster.

I'd suggest a non-drying lube such as lard, bear grease, mink oil, peanut oil, olive oil, etc.

 

[mooman76]

I precut mine also but that's just a convenience thing. Do like you plan, trying both ways to see what is best for you.

 

[Rifleman1776]

Thanks guys. I will try out cutting patches at the muzzle to see how it works. The only thing that I was concerned about going this route, is scratching out the muzzle and dulling my knife. I might cut some squares and try both this week and see which I prefer.

Thank,
Greebe

It is best to seat the ball slightly below the muzzle then cut the patch cloth. A bit of extra material above the ball will not affect accuracy. On the range you can use a short-short starter. In the field you can/should develop your own loading procedure.
The blade should not touch the muzzle. Many/most use a separate knife for patch cutting. On the range is is kept on the loading bench. In the field practices vary. Some have a dedicated knife on their bag strap.
Personally, for hunting, I carry a loading block that eliminates the need for a patch knife.

 

[M. De Land]

I used to cut at the muzzle but have since started making round patches and lubing with windshield wash keeping them in plastic vitamin bottles.
I can't tell a lick of difference in accuracy and have won matches using both.
The pre-cuts are much faster and they don't have to be perfectly centered which is impossible when using them anyway.
The windshield wash works good in cold weather also keeping the fouling down for many shots without needing to clean. Mike D.

 

[Aran]

Matter of personal preference. I keep pre-lubed ticking in a plastic bag, just like the real mountain men did, and tear a strip when I need it. I cut at the muzzle.

They did have plastic bags?! :rotf: :surrender:

 

[Greebe]

I was thinking the same thing. :haha:

 

[gard72977]

Matter of personal preference. I keep pre-lubed ticking in a plastic bag, just like the real mountain men did, and tear a strip when I need it. I cut at the muzzle.

They did have plastic bags?! :rotf: :surrender:

What brand would be correct for the period?

 

[Rifleman1776]

Matter of personal preference. I keep pre-lubed ticking in a plastic bag, just like the real mountain men did, and tear a strip when I need it. I cut at the muzzle.

They did have plastic bags?! :rotf: :surrender:

What brand would be correct for the period?

Blanchette's Trading Post brand from St. Charles, Missouri.
The plastic was produced on nearby farms.

 

[ohio ramrod]

Cutting at the muzzle, precut squares , precut rounds, all work equally if centered and of proper size. My self I use precuts simply because it gives me one less oportunity to cut myself!

 

[bpd303]

Me too I have enough trouble with the flint cuts, now if I would only remember to not run with scissors.

 

[woodse guy]

I use both. Cut at the muzzle for the rifle. Precut for my pistol. Is one better then the other don't know just the way I like to shoot. It's all about what keeps it fun for you.