Pre made patches or cut your own?

[coloradoclyde]

I quit a long time ago.....Best monkey ever to get off my back.
Recommend you never start.

 

[Stumpkiller]

Tear the strips (no loose thread bits) and then cut at the muzzle or block.

 

[Smokey Plainsman]

Used to chew some Red Man Golden Blend back in the day. I don't do it so much now, and don't recommend OP starts either. I get the cotton mouth sometimes so using the spit patches can be a mite of a challenge after a few, so I carry a thing of rubbing alcohol mainly as a powder solvent.

 

[coloradoclyde]

I get the cotton mouth sometimes so using the spit patches can be a mite of a challenge after a few,

That's where the chewing tobacco came in...it makes you constantly salivate...
Try gum. :wink:

 

[Tallswife]

I use either premade/lubed round patch or I spit patch and cut at the muzzle. Never had a problem with either way.

Nothing like butternut leaf, cant keep that worm dirt gathered up! LOL

 

[rdstrain49]

I chewed for years, finally quit (don't start). Now if I get dry mouth I pop in a pouch of mint chew. Plenty of spit, no tobacco, no habit at all. Works for me.

 

[deseeb2001]

I bought a package of pre-lubed patches when I first started out. Still haven't used them all up yet, but I'm strongly considering cutting my own once they're all gone.

 

[Zonie]

Anyone shooting pre-lubricated patches owes it to themselves to retrieve the shot patches.

If they are still recognizable as cloth patches, fine.
More than a few of us have found that if the pre-lubricated patches are old, the oil has weakened the cloth and after they have been shot, there is often just a few fragments and pieces of the patch laying on the ground.

If the patch blows up during firing the gun will be about as accurate as a smooth-bore shooting a unpatched ball.

 

[deseeb2001]

More than a few of us have found that if the pre-lubricated patches are old, the oil has weakened the cloth and after they have been shot, there is often just a few fragments and pieces of the patch laying on the ground.

Funny you should mention that... when I went out shooting the other day, I fired a round in to a cardboard box since I had yet to ever find a fired patch. Sure enough, it was shredded and almost unrecognizable.

I figured when I get to making my own patches I would see if it was from using old patches or sharp rifling (although I strongly doubt the rifling as the issue).

 

[Billnpatti]

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

Saliva is an excellent lube at the range but it is possible for the moisture to effect your powder charge if it sits on it for a long time such as when you are hunting. When you are hunting, it is best to use a thick, almost waxy, lube to you don't foul your powder charge. Don't ask what is the best lube because there are a kajillion "best" lubes. Just ask the question and see how many answers you will get for the absolute best lube on God's green earth.

When selecting a lube, our old friend Dutch Schoultz will tell you that you want an almost dry patch. Dutch calls his recipe a "dry patch" but it does have a bit of lubricant soaked into the fabric of the patch. The reasoning behind his dry patch is that it is quite possible to have a lube that is too slick. If you don't have a copy of his accuracy system where he discusses the dry patch, you absolutely need to get a copy. It will be one of the most valuable things you can add to your collection of muzzleloading knowledge. www.blackpowderrifleaccuracy.com It is something that many of us on this forum have invested in and benefitted immensely from.

 

[coloradoclyde]

Saliva is an excellent lube at the range but it is possible for the moisture to effect your powder charge if it sits on it for a long time such as when you are hunting.

I've used saliva for squirrel hunting with no ill affects when kept loaded for several hours...If I plan on leaving the gun loaded overnight or for any extended period of time I use a beeswax lube...

It's still loaded from November... :haha:

 

[Scott_C]

For extended periods of leaving a rifle loaded, we run a dry patch on top of the powder to separate the powder from the lube-patched ball.

 

[Zonie]

While I'll use spit for a "patch lube" at the shooting range where the shot will be fired shortly after loading it, I would not use it for hunting.

To my way of thinking, I don't want water sitting in my barrel for a long period of time. Especially if the gun has been reloaded in a somewhat dirty barrel.

The water in the spit can easily leach out the salts in the fouling and start the rusting process while you walk around looking for the next critter.

 

[coloradoclyde]

For extended periods of leaving a rifle loaded, we run a dry patch on top of the powder to separate the powder from the lube-patched ball.

But that could create a fire hazard in the dry season....

I have never once had a misfire due to patch lube contamination of the powder charge.... just sayin...

 

[Toomuch51]

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

This will get you even more different answers than the number of people that you have asked.
The best patching to use is the one that works best for your purposes.
I prefer to use strip patching and cut it off at the muzzle. the proper diameter or width of stripping, for .54 or for anything really, is whatever is sufficient to cover the ball at least half way around (from equator to equator).
As for lube I prefer to simply use saliva.

 

[ZUG]

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.

Quote from C.C. "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...."

ME THREE --