Patch thickness

[DJC]

getting back into the flintlock thing with a TC Renegade. I have patches that were purchased, and given to me, they are not in the original package. I am shooting about 2 inch groups at 50 yrds with 70 grs of FFF. I want more of these patches, but have no idea what thickness they are.
they are plain cream in color, and they were obviously bought pre-cut. Any idea?

 

[Hangfire]

Could be from a bunch of different suppliers. If you want to know the thickness find some one that reloads they will usually have a micrometer can use it to mic the thickness of the patches.

 

[Billnpatti]

Only way to know for sure is to use a micrometer to measure their thickness.

 

[MSW]

DJC, i'm afraid that Billnpatti is correct - you'll need a micrometer to measure the patch thickness, and then you'll need to figure out where they came from, if that company is still in business, if the thickness changes from lot to lot, if they always use the same lube from batch to batch ...


aaaaargh!!

here's what I would do: grab your credit card and go to this web site:
http://www.blackpowderrifleaccuracy.com/

then plonk down the twenty bucks (I think it's still twenty bucks - a very good bargain, especially if you consider what even a half hour of coaching would cost).

this is Dutch Schoultz' system, and it really does work.

once you get it working, you will be able to go to the drygoods store and get a veritable infinity of patching material for a very low price, and you will be in complete control of the whole patch process from beginning to end, thus ensuring that your results will be repeatable and reliable (that's know as accurate out here in the great frozen north)

you'll still need to get a micrometer, but that's a tool worth having anyway ... I got a cheapie from Harbor Freight
http://www.harborfreight.com/0-to-1-inch-range-digital-micrometer-895.html

(this looks a lot like the one I have ... another twenty bucks ... well what the heck, you didn't want to squander your money on useless junk like groceries, didja??

 

[George T.]

Pre Cut patches are available in .010 , .015 , .018 and .020. but most shooters juggle ball size tu use the middle two depending on how tight they want to patch. I have never tried the .010's and in my rifles the .020 requires a mallet to load with the balls I am using. Dixie ,TOW and many others have them. Geo. T.

 

[cynthialee]

I use the .010 and .015 patches.
I have tried the .018 and they are to much an aggravation for me.

I use the .010 in pistols and the .015 in long guns.

Some day I will break down and get a micrometer and make my way down to Jo-Ann's for some patch materials.

 

[Rusty_Nail]

My Pedersoli's shoot the best with a .010 patch, but my CVAs & A&H like a .018 patch. My new Bucks I just got, who knows, ain't shot her yet! Not enuff hours in a day and all that! :td:

As for the "plain and cream in color" you mention, maybe an OxYoke .015 wonderlube patch?

 

[Dr5x]

When you are searching a fabric store for patching material,
Measure various samples and write the measurement on the end of the cardboard and paper thing the material is wrapped around. Mark each sample you buy with its measurement.
When you find a proper patch material from the samples you purchased, go back to the fabric store, look for the bolt with the matching fabric and buy a bunch. That fabric will be the same thickness from one end to the other. I bought so much I never ran out and reupholstered a reclining chair with it.

Dutch