How critical is patch diameter compared to bore size? I have, in the 50+ years that I've been shooting muzzleloaders, mostly used the same size precut patches for all my guns, from .32 to .54 calibers. I've never cut a patch at the muzzle. Does the extra material really matter?
patch to bore size
- Thread starter tom in nc
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I do use smaller precuts and punched out patches for my .32 but on .45, .50 and .54 I use the same patch size.
My fowler uses thinner patches (.010 thick) and I cut those at the muzzle.
I use patches cut to the same size as a 2 Euro piece (same as a quarter dollar) for my .58, and patches cut to the same size as a Euro (same as a Nickel) for my .45s. Seems to work well.
Loading with an oversized patch sometimes it will hang on the jag..
Creating the possibility of pulling the patch & ball slightly off the powder charge..
Same thing with too large of cleaning patch, it folds back against the jag on retrieval stroke and makes getting the rod and jag back out of the bore a 10+ page discussion on TMF…
Creating the possibility of pulling the patch & ball slightly off the powder charge..
Same thing with too large of cleaning patch, it folds back against the jag on retrieval stroke and makes getting the rod and jag back out of the bore a 10+ page discussion on TMF…
smoothshooter
50 Cal.
Excess patch material on small bores could be a problem, I suppose.
I never cut patches at the muzzle anyway.
This isn't perfect, but Patch Diameter (width) = RB diameter x 2.3. You round up (or down) for the sake of convenience.
rafterob
62 Cal.
I caal them parachutes if they are too big/ Doesn't affect anything. But cutting at the muzzle gives you a perfect fit everytime. Except when you start the ball too far down the barrel and end up with a parachute!
