RB patch...square? round? what's better and why?

[jtmattison]

Looking for opinions on patch shape.
Does anyone see a significant difference in performance between a round patch or a square patch?
I just painstakingly cut out a bunch of 1 1/4 inch patches out of pillow ticking to try them tomorrow.
I prefer pre-cut patches over cutting at the muzzle.
Let me know what you all think.

Huntin

 

[Zonie]

From what I have experienced and read there isn't any measurable difference in accuracy between square and round patches.
That said, consistancy seems to be a key thing to winning so if you use one style, stick with it. Why PO the Gods? ::

Seriously, I don't think it makes a difference but there are a lot of people who not only think it does make a difference, but they always load the same side of the patch against the ball, and they always line up the stripes (if it has them) in the same direction.

I am sure you will hear more about this issue.

 

[roundball]

I would like to achieve the point of such consistent, precise loading and shooting execution that I could tell the difference in accuracy when I loaded a patch with the threads running one way compared to the next shot with them running another way... ::

 

[gordy]

If You are seeking to do all that can be done to enhance accy.,then it probably would make a small increase in accy. cutting the patch at the muzzle.And yes!even putting the same side toward the ball each shot.The ball will always be centered nearly perfectly every time by cutting at the muzzle.The ball needs to be set to the same depth before cutting.A prelubed square patch seldom is centered properly. The ends of the square patch wrap further around the ball,and could cause a slight deflection of the ball as it leaves the muzzle.The prelubed round patch can sometimes be off-center far enough to cause gas blow-by.How much difference is there between the square and round patch? Very little!But as I said ,if ultimate accy. is Your goal,then it will make a "small" difference. Sam Fadala experimented to see how much difference it made and concluded it was not consistant enough to measure.It made no measureble difference on the Chrony. I've used square patches once in a while and with hunting loads saw no change in point of impact.For general shooting ,I thnk it's a matter of prefference. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[cayugad]

Out_a_Huntin as you might be aware, I cut them at the muzzle. I seat all the roundball with an old wooden ball that has a long seat on it. I then cut flush to the muzzle.

In your case I do not see why it would make a difference. My concern would be the extra cloth in the barrel on the way out, but I do not know if that would restrict the spin at all. I doubt it. You could always set them off a square patch and then take a small fine pair of scissors and trim the excess off. I have done that and gotten some excellent looking patches.

 

[jtmattison]

I'm going to shoot a few groups in the morning and see if I can note any difference.
My round patches are .015 and the square ticking patches are .018, that may make a difference also, probably increased accuracy with the ticking.
I have noticed that the patches recovered down range that were cut at the muzzle were not perfectly round so I don't see any advantage to doing it that way other than the ball being "centered" on the patch. Can it really be centered if the patch is not perfectly round or perfectly square for that matter?
The bottom line is going to be consistency. If you load exactly the same every time, be it with round patch, square patch, or cut at the muzzle, I think a good level of accuracy will be achieved.
For experimental reasons I will try the square patches and report my findings.

Huntin

 

[musketman]

I use octagon patches myself, (looks like striped stop signs) I cut them square first, then clip the edges to make octagons...

If you are experimenting, try other shapes too, I shot triangle patches before, it's like putting cloth diapers on the round ball's butt, but without the pins... :haha:

Cutting at the barrel makes for an oval shaped patch, look at the holes left in your strip of ticking...

The best thing about experiments is that you get to do more shooting... :winking:

 

[Huntinfool]

I always cut my patches at the muzzle that way I know they're centered on the patch.

It has always worked perfectly for me. My knife handle is a deer antler base. I can use the knife handle to drive the ball flush with the muzzle and then cut it with the blade.

I use the same knife to dress game and cook with. It has a 4 inch blade. I carry it on the back of my bag with the tip of the handle angleing forward in a handy spot near the top of the bag!

I used to carry it on the strap but opted to change when my better half made me a finger woven strap for my possible bag!

Keep Yer Powder Dry Fellers,
Chuck ::

 

[jtmattison]

I shot a few groups this morning using both the square and round patches.
No difference in group size or point of impact.
I shot both 80 grains of Pyrodex RS and 80 grains of 777, used a wad over the 777.
My Trade Rifle hates 777. No matter what I do with it I can't get a good group with 777.
My Pyrodex groups were great as usual.
In conclusion, my experiment showed no difference in performance between round and square patches.
My wife let me use one of her wheel cutters she has for doing crafts, I can produce about 100 square patches in 15 minutes with it. I will cut up my yard of pillow ticking and be set for shooting for the next 2 months

Huntin

 

I've always cut on the muzzle....and this is a frequently asked question. Anyway, if I had any more accuracy than I get from cutting on the muzzle I wouldn't know where to put it. For my money, there isn't 2 spits in the ocean difference.

Vic

 

[cayugad]

Triple Se7en powder is strange stuff.. I have a couple rifles that love the stuff. My Mountain Stalker with a round ball and wad over T-7 will shoot ragged holes. A couple of my other rifles couldn't groups for nothing. I go back to RS and they lay right in there. Something you might want to try Out_a_Huntin is if you get a chance try some Pyrodex P. I have a couple rifles that love the stuff. I have a little Hawkins that shoots so sweet with the Pyrodex P that it even surprised me...

I have not tried Pyrodex P in a could rifles because I am down to a couple of pounds of the stuff and do not want to waste it. When I get to the big city I am going to get some Goex FFFg and FFg for the smoothbore and see how it likes that.....

 

Two yards worth of patch

I got busy tonight, using a straight edge and the rolling cutter I made roughly 1500, 1 1/4 inch pillow tick patches out of two yards of material. I don't think I'll have to make any more patches this year.

 

[roundball]

FYI, a couple weeks ago my latest case of 25 cans of Goex delivered to me cost $227...and they'll mix the types of powder in the case however you want...ie: some 4F, some 3F, some 2F, etc...J&J PyroTechnics in Moscow, PA

 

[jtmattison]

Them some rite perty patches roaddog.
Is they cut from yer mammies dress :haha:
Just foolin'
Looks like you'll be shootin' for a while.

Huntin

 

Hey this stuff is cute too