Pre made patches or cut your own?

[jlindstrom]

Forgive me if this topic has been beaten to death. I've searched several threads and not seen my exact question. I'm new and coming back to BP shooting after almost 40 years.

Wondering about opinions on pre cut/pre lubed patches or making your own. Also wondering preferred diameter for .54 cal patch if I roll my own.

Thanks

 

[coloradoclyde]

Hands down...make your own....
The simplest way to make your own is to cut square patches.....The easiest way to find the proper size is to cut one at the muzzle, Recover that patch and measure it.... It will be square.

Making your own patches and lube is elementary school easy, and takes very little time....It can increase you accuracy and save money that can be used on more important things....

Some guys are strong advocates of cutting at the muzzle.....I prefer to pre-cut my patches...Loading requires enough fumbling around with components without adding a sharp knife to the equation.....

I also prefer to cut round patches over square....I use a homemade rotary cutter, some guys use homemade cutters that press cut the patches....

 

[Billnpatti]

Well, Clyde, once more I have to give you a thumbs up :thumbsup: and a :metoo: Except that I do use square patches and sometimes cut at the muzzle. But, other than that, you are spot on.

 

[Billnpatti]

While I usually either cut my patches at the bore or cut square patches (research has shown that there is no difference in the performance of a square patch VS a round patch) if you prefer the round patches, cut them about 2 3/4 the diameter of the ball. This will allow the patch to wrap sufficiently around the ball to prevent it from touching the inside of the bore yet not leave so much patch that it grabs your short starter.

 

[artmechanic]

Definitely go with your own patches. You can experiment with different thicknesses and lube combinations to get what best suits your rifle. I have three .54s and a double .58 - the .54s use different patches (and they differ again depending on whether I'm shooting my own cast RBs or the store-bought.)
Hit your local fabric shop (Joannes, etc.) and get some piloow ticking or drill (utility) cloth. Oh, and Harbor Freight sells a cheap but functional micrometer for checking the thickness.

But most of all, it just adds to the fun when you're part of everything to do with the process (read: obsession) that is blackpowder shooting.

 

[Okie Hog]

i use both store bought unlubed patches and patches cut by hand. When the store bought patches are used up i will not buy any more.

i precut my patches from unwashed khaki drill cloth.

 

[Kansas Jake]

I'm also in the make my own patches group. I often cut the patch on the barrel, but will also cut a bunch of square patches. I was working on a load for an old new to me rifle last week and just cut a bunch of square patches with my pocket knife from a strip of ticking that I normally cut at the muzzle. I don't think patches have to be a very specific size. I generally want them to go around the ball, but not be so large that they grab on to the ramrod when seating the ball.

 

[Coot]

Cutting your own patches (either round - easy with a drill press or square) is simple & easy. By cutting your own, you can control thickness & size as well as type & amount of lube. Eliminating variables is key to accuracy and you even save money in the process.
Go for it.

 

[hanshi]

I cut my own; makes them more better. :wink:

 

[jlindstrom]

Thanks for all the replies.
Now....saliva vs lube??

 

[azmntman]

PROVEN FACT: Using spit patch while chewing Grizzly Long Cut Dark Wintergreen tobbacky will reduce your groups. Best in winter, in summer regular old wintergreen will do (the dark works best in winter cuz the days are shorter).

 

[jlindstrom]

:rotf:

 

[Tinker2]

I use both. Sometimes a strip of ticking cut at the muzzle.

Mostly cut/pre lubed patches are what I shoot and hunt with.
I also use a ball that I do not need a short starter with.




William Alexander

 

[fleener]

I use Oxyoke patches. Makes it simple. One less thing to deal with.

I also use my own lube. Spit patches take too much time and spit.

I put my patches in a used cap tin, with the lube on them. Keeps them together and ready to use.

It is all about what you want to do. Not wrong either way, just personal preference.

Do I get good groups with oxyoke and my lube, you bet.

FLeener

 

[Black Hand]

Cut my own and lube with bear grease. Cheap, easy and you don't end up dealing with old, dried-out patching.

You can literally make hundreds for the price paid for a package of pre-lubed commercial patches.

 

[faste350]

I use Oxyoke patches. Makes it simple. One less thing to deal with.

I also us my own lube. Spit patches take too much time and spit.

I put my patches in a used cap tin, with the lube on them. Keeps them together and ready to use.

It is all about what you want to do. Not wrong either way, just personal preference.

Do I get good groups with oxyoke and my lube, you bet.

FLeener

exactly the same here. once i find what works the best, i order 500 or 1000 from oxyoke. I have even called them and had them check the material for thickness to make sure I get the same that I have.

 

[Vaino]

Many years ago I bought a Forster patch cutter for my .45, .50 and .54...the 1-3/16 dia patch from this cutter has served all three cals. for many years.

The patch mat'l is laid on a hard maple board, the cutter is pressed down and the knob is turned to produce a single patch. Never tried a double thickness for cutting 2 patches because I'm mainly a hunter...possibly it would work......Fred

 

[jethro224]

Strips of ticking and cut at the muzzle.

With a good sharp knife it's probably faster than fishing around in the bag and prying the lid off a cap tin and separating one patch from the stack of stuck together ones in there. I just tie one end to my strap and stuff the loose end in my cheek. It's always ready for the next re-load.

When hunting I use a home brew grease type lube. In that case I have a short strip of greased ticking in a small deerskin bag that is also greased with the same lube.

For all other shooting I use spit. Either with or without some wintergreen Beechnut juice.

 

[coloradoclyde]

PROVEN FACT: Using spit patch while chewing Grizzly Long Cut Dark Wintergreen tobbacky will reduce your groups. Best in winter, in summer regular old wintergreen will do (the dark works best in winter cuz the days are shorter).

I can second that......Except I used Kodiak :thumbsup:

 

[Kansas Jake]

It may be HC/PC, but hats off to you guys that chew. I just never could get into that. I tried a few times and didn't find any joy in it. I'll just think about a thick steak if my mouth gets dry.