Thin patch source?

[pepperbelly]

OK, I found pillow ticking at Wal Mart. The red .015" pillow ticking the the blue .018" mattress ticking is too thick to use in my musket with the .678" roundballs I can get at Cabela's. I figure it will be easier to find thinner patches than smaller balls, at least locally.

Anyone have a suggestion for thin patch material? I found that lubing my own isn't nearly the chore I thought it was, but I don't know what material has a tight weave and is thin enough, like around .010".

Thanks,
Jim

 

[Black Hand]

I get the "Kona Cotton" from Jo-Ann fabrics. It is 0.10-0.11 when washed, dried and lubed. Works well in my trade gun (.62 cal with .60 ball).

 

[BrownBear]

If you want to try .010 before buying the fabric, Wonderlube prelubes are available in .010, as well as .015 and .018. I've bought a bag or two by mistake, but thankfully they work just fine in my guns for reduced loads.

 

[Deadeye]

Walmart had cotton muslim in several thickness,
.006, .008 .010 and probably thicker. I've been using the .006 with a .600 ball in the GM .62.
Works great, very accurate with 70 grs. 2F
Tested burnout with 140 grs. 2F,no burning at all, patches could be used again. I was surprised
this is thin stuff. Try it , it's only $1.27 a yd.

 

[pepperbelly]

Thanks Deadeye. That is a very good suggestion. I will make another Wal Mart run tomottow or Friday.
I need to measure the bore and do some math to figure what thickness will work with these .678" balls. The patch thickness is the easiest to work around.

Jim

 

[Rebel]

Probably need a .010" thick patch with that size ball. I think if you have any wads and give my wad loading technique a try you will find it is just as easy as patching.

 

[Wes/Tex]

Well, if you want to get real authentic, wait till the local auto parts guys have a sale on thier chamois and buy a handfull. Cut out the size you need and lube the patches well and rub the lube in and slightly stretch the leather as you do it. Leather compresses a lot more than cloth does for it's thickness. It doesn't smoulder on the ground and can generally be re-used! Just a thought!! :hatsoff:

 

[Flint62Smoothie]

Wal*Mart also sells 100% homespun material for $2/yard. It measure 0.010" to 0.012", depending on 'when' you measure it. I have shot the same patches for 5+ shots in a 62-caliber (0.617" bore) using 0.600" RB over 70grs FFFg with zero burn through.

See here for more info. Oh yeah, regardless of what material you use, try Track of the Wolf's mink oil as your lube - it is 'de bomb!

 

[pepperbelly]

I went to Wal Mart and bought a yard of muslin. It measures .010" before washing. I will be using Bore Butter, mainly because it's what I have on hand. If I get a chance very soon I will be mixing up some moose milk/snot/slobber/mucus. :grin:

Jim

 

[TxRambler]

I too have used the "homespun" and also the muslin. At $1/yard I buy about 1 yard of three different homespun weights and see which one the gun likes best, then buy more of the favored material. I like muslin for the Bess with a .735 ball. I have some rifles that like ticking but the Bess and my favorite rifle would require a sledge hammer to load with red stripped ticking. Try things out, at $1/yard what is the harm?

 

[pepperbelly]

I wish I knew where it was $1.00 per yard. Wal Mart wanted $6.00 per yard for the muslin.

Jim

 

[Rebel]

Look on their $1 a yd table. I think all of them have one. You should find something that will work.

 

[Sherlock]

Old, well worn, high thread count cotton sheets/pillowcases work bery nicely when you get to wanting .008 to .012. Just measure to be sure before you snag it from the lady of the house. Usually it's free!!!!!!Wonky

 

[Semisane]

If you have a Good Will, Am Vets, or some other type of "thrift store" in your area, go there and check out things like used table cloths and curtins. I recently bought a 48" X 72" linen table cloth for $2 at the local Good Will store that made great patch material. Bring your micrometer with you.

 

[Cutfingers]

I've been using .010 cotton from Wally Mart in my 62 with a .600 round ball. Use 70 grs FFF with a lubed and punched card over the powder. Extremely accurate up to 50 or 60 yds. The thin patch makes for ease of loading in the field and the card has a tendency to wipe down the barrell as it slides down. All I have left to do is find a way to make the 62 accurate at 100 yds, but that is most likely asking too much.

 

[hawk]

peperbelly I've used silk from under garments(Iknow,Iknow! :shocked2: ) my wife through out for a tight fitting ball and patch combo ,had to put an over powder card in to stop the burn though on the patch,but it seems to shoot good and was easier to load too.

 

[Frank/Pa]

Hey Hawk. Did you get 40 extra yards with that silk? :grin:

 

[Deadeye]

Pepper, The muslin that I got a walmart is marked
utility grade, was 1.27 while they had other more expensive grades. Tell them you want the cheap stuff, seems to work just as well for patching.

 

[pepperbelly]

Deadeye I didn't think of that. I just looked around until I found muslin, measured it and bought it. I didn't even ask if they had cheaper stuff.

Jim

 

[hawk]

frank, that "extra 40 yards" thing only works when your shootin' down hill, from a fort wall,wearin' buckskins ,at night with high suspense mood music and a good fiction writer on your side!