Spent Patches

[ravenousfishing]

Just recently got into shooting PRBs. Up til now, due to time constraints, I have been happy with the 2-3" groups I have been getting at 50 yds. Obviously my 54 cal GPR has much more potential than that with better load development and practice. Went shooting today and had pretty windy conditions. Decided to look at my patches for burn pattern etc but couln't find them. Range is littered with every type of sabot and wad imaginable, but no patches. Stupid question: How far do the patches typically travel down range?

 

[pab1]

The patches from my .54 GPR are usually about 20 feet down range and always seem to be about 5 feet to the left of my line of fire.

 

[Brik847]

I had the same thing happen to me for the longest time. I didn't know what to make of it at all. What the heck? Then, suddenly, they started to appear where they should. I don't know. . .

 

[jtmattison]

I usually find mine 5-10 yards downrange right in front of me. The slightest wind will send the left or right several feet. If it's calm they are usually all within 3-4 feet of each other.

HD

 

[Gemoke]

windy day. my guess is they blew away

 

[Dave K]

Maybe your patches are burned up or shredded. Next time, place your gun in the shooting position at the range and look over the gun when shot, to see the patch leave the gun. You should very easily see it. Then you can study the patch.

 

[nchawkeye]

If possible, take someone with you to the range and have them watch your patches when you shoot...

I have also put a tarp out in front of the muzzle to help find them easier...

 

[worker11811]

...OR shoot over freshly fallen snow.
You won't be able to miss them then!

 

[ssettle]

Windy days can make them diffcult to find. I also shoot at a range that has crap laying around. It can be hard to find them when they become mixed with others on the ground.I sometimes will mark mine with a colored marker and that seems to help.

 

[ravenousfishing]

Snow + me = :nono: Too many winters in the tropics I guess. Come to think about it, chasing Billfish in 90 degree weather sounds pretty good right about now. Next time the wind isn't blowing I will at least know where to start looking for my old patches.