Shooting patch sizing, ball diameter or bore diameter ?

[kyron4]

All my rifles are 50 cals and I've always used precut patches marked ".50 to .59 caliber". Today as I was stocking up on supplies at TOW I noticed they list the same patches marked ".40 to .49 caliber" . I shoot a .490" ball and just wondered if one is better than the other or if both could be used . Just curious, never thought much about it. Thanks

 

[Duk]

.50 cal round patches are somewhere around 11/4 in diameter

 

[longcruise]

These are large enough for 54 and probably 58 but were fired from a 50 caliber barrel. The extra size was not a problem. My own minimum size size is the circumference of the ball. A bit larger is easier to work with.

 

[morehops52]

Patch thickness is more important to accuracy than OA size IMO.

 

[Grenadier1758]

Both @longcruise and @morehops52 are correct. The patch thickness and tightness of the weave are more important than the size although a patch that is too big can get caught on an undersized jag during the seating of the patched ball and pull the ball and patch away from the powder charge. A larger patch will allow for easier approximate centering of the ball on the patch.

The only way to know the perfect size is to use an oversized piece of patch material to start the ball so the top of the ball is flush with the muzzle to cut the patch. Measure the hole in several places and use the largest measurement plus up to 1/4" to precut patches.