Powder charge for .45 cal rifle

[belld416]

Will these keep for a couple weeks or do you do this before you shoot each time?

I've heard other people mention crisco when talking about muzzle loaders.

Thanks
Donald

 

[coloradoclyde]

Will these keep for a couple weeks or do you do this before you shoot each time?

I've heard other people mention crisco when talking about muzzle loaders.

Thanks
Donald

I lube my patches seconds before I load it...Pre-lubing increases the chances of patches drying out, or weakening the fabric over time. it can also attract contaminants.

 

[Kansas Jake]

I do like Clyde except if I'm hunting and have balls and patches loaded into a loading block.

 

[Billnpatti]

I don't like store bought patches because I have found that they don't always measure what they say they are. I prefer to go to a fabric shop with my micrometer and select a 100% cotton fabric that actually measures the thickness that I want. I usually get a drill weave fabric called "pocket drill" or one of the pillow or mattress ticking materials that I have actually measured and know to be the thickness that I want. I wash it and then it is ready to be made into patches. To lube them, I first cut the fabric into strips that are 2 1/2 to no more than 3 times the diameter of the ball. I then spread the lube of my choice on the strips and work it in with my fingers. I then put the strips between several layers of newspaper and run over them with an iron. Be sure to use enough paper that no lube gets on the iron or on the ironing board. That crap makes mama mad. You will now have perfectly lubed patches. You can leave it in strips which you will then cut at the muzzle or you can use some scissors to cut the strip into squares. When I am cutting a strip at the muzzle, I just hang the strip over the ramrod and let it hang just under the muzzle where it is handy for me when I am ready to load. If I pre-cut my patches, I keep them in a small plastic pill bottle in my bag or pocket.

And that is how I do it. I don't know if it is the absolutely best way but it works for me.

 

[BrownBear]

...it works for me.

That's the perfect definition of what's best for you.

 

[belld416]

I appreciate that information. I look forward to giving that a try. My wife and myself are headed to a craft store this weekend and I'll get me up a few supplies.

 

[hanshi]

Pre-lubed patches are not for me, either. I buy mattress ticking and cut it into proper size squares then lube them. Normally I use Mink Oil for hunting and Hoppes BP lube at the range. If I have lubed patches left over from the range I leave them out and let them dry out so they won't deteriorate and can be re-lubed. In the bush I lube a patch with the mink oil individually for each shot. Mattress ticking that I buy is quite a bit thicker than most pillow ticking. For me it measures about .022" with calipers but if I crush it very hard using my fingers on the jaws I can't ever get it below .018" to .019" and it always springs back to the larger measurement.

 

[belld416]

I took your advice and just used two of the .008" patches together. I've shot the most consistent this afternoon as I have ever shot with this rifle. I had 8 shots in a 2 1\2" circle at 50 yds. This was off sand bags.

This may not be tight by some standards. But I was tickled to death just to feel as though I was making progress with the help of all you guys.

Just to recap, I'm using Hornady .440 round ball,.016" patch,(2) .008 patches together, with 45grs Goex 3f powder.I am swabbing the barrel between each shot.

I want to try some different patch material but I think .015" thick material will be my best bet.

I surely appreciate each and every one that has put up with my many questions and offered advice along the way.

Thanks
Donald

 

[coloradoclyde]

I took your advice and just used two of the .008" patches together. I've shot the most consistent this afternoon as I have ever shot with this rifle. I had 8 shots in a 2 1\2" circle at 50 yds. This was off sand bags.

I've taught more than one person how to shoot....I never compared their accuracy to my own, but rather judged it buy how much they improved from day one.

 

[azmntman]

I never compare my accuracy to my own either Clyde....too dang erratic :youcrazy:

 

[Loyalist Dave]

LD, Both Ga. and Va. have a minimum powder charge of 50 grains; but I use 60 grains so am safely over the minimum.

OH cool, then I will point that out to the hunter safety students, as my class is close to VA.

Burned patches can result from not enough or not the right kind of lube. Burning can also result from patches that are too thin. Try increasing the loads by 5 grains until you get the best accuracy. An over powder wad can help, too.

Ah yes to the above, AND you need to look hard at the patches, as IF you're barrel is cutting patches, meaning the edges of the lands are so sharp or have tiny burrs from machining..., they actually cut the fabric of the patch when you load..., then those holes or weaker spots can then burn through. Yet if you don't take a hard look..., you may miss the cutting. IF you notice burn spots arrayed in a circle..., that might be cutting patches on an otherwise good choice for a patching material. A little polishing of the barrel will remedy that.

LD

 

[BrownBear]

...and just used two of the .008" patches together. I've shot the most consistent this afternoon as I have ever shot with this rifle.

There ya go. The path forward is clearing now. Pretty quick you'll be really smiling!

 

[Dr5x]

BillinpattiI have found (for me at least) that the ideal powder charge was within 5 grains of 1 and a half grains per caliber.

Finally out of the hospital and entering the wonderful world of Dialysis where you spend 12 hours a week getting your blood cleaned up because your kidneys checked out.

It's good to be (sora) back again.

Dutch

 

[belld416]

Well sir, I wish you all the best with your treatment and will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

Sounds as though you have a wealth of knowledge from your years of BP shooting.

 

[belld416]

I just wanted to let everyone know that I was able to get to the craft store this past weekend and was able to get me some patch material and some flannel for swabbing between shots.

First off, I was as lost as last years Easter egg when I found this forum. But you guys has steered me straight and I thank y'all for that. I used some advice from several of you guys and I feel as though I have my feet underneath me now, at least with this rifle.

For my patch material I bought some pillow ticking that was .018" thick and some that was .015" thick. The .015" shot just as well as the .018" but was a little easier to get down the barrel. I cut strips and used crisco and the oven for about 8 minutes at 170 to get them saturated with the crisco. I just did a couple strips of each and put them in an airtight container to keep them moist. That was Saturday night and they were still moist today.I then was able to hang this strip over my ramrod and let it hang as I shot and it was right there for each shot and I cut each time I was loading.

I swabbed the barrel after each shot with flannel that I cut into 2" squares and moistened with alcohol. This worked great and each shot was very easy to load.

I shot from 35yds out to 70yds and grouping stayed the same even though I was just shooting while standing up and not resting on anything. I was very proud of my shots and was smiling from ear to ear. I just wanted to pass along my progress since you guys deserve the credit for it.

This is truly a good bunch of helpful guys that I'm thankful to have stumbled upon. Happy Thanksgiving to all you guys and your families.