Using the patchbox...

[Sparkitoff]

Does anyone actually use the patchbox? For hunting? Mostly talking about the brass or metal covered "circle" but could apply to the Jaeger style sliding box too. It is a place that can be dirty, is exposed to some elements (certainly moisture and temperature) and doesn't seem to be the best place to store anything. I realize "patch" box indicates it is intended for patches. I keep my patches kind of loose yet organized in a clean plastic or glass bottle of appropriate size. I can't image leaving them in the patchbox. Maybe one for a day hunt but not anything more.

Why does it open sideways? In other words, from the back of the longarm to the front? It would seem more efficient and useful if it opened from the top down, like an old-fashioned blue mailbox or maybe a laundry bin. That way you could hold the longarm port-arms and open the box easily while not spilling anything.

I only have one rifle out of many with a patchbox, but I find it useless. I am willing to be open-minded to how others utilize this little compartment!

 

[Stumpkiller]

Always. Mine's a forward hinging Lehigh style. I keep a spare flint, two spare balls, a tow worm loaded, a ball puller - all wrapped in dry ticking to keep it quiet - and also a vent feather and a few porcupine quills.

Also on a scrap of paper is the load and ball size the sights are regulated at. I may not be there when some future owner is curious.

But I would not typically open it for every shot. I load up ball-blocks and go five shots between spit wipes. And I would normally use the jag and cloth strips from my bag for that.

 

[Billnpatti]

I use the patchbox on my rifles that have one to carry my cleaning jag, tow worm, etc. If the rifle is a flintlock, I also keep a spare flint in my patchbox. I don't actually use it to carry patches, for me, it is just a handy place to keep small items that I may need.

 

[Sparkitoff]

Your patchbox is a much more useful size and shape and I can appreciate using that one!

 

[Kansas Jake]

I also use the patch box on my rifles. On cappers, I keep a few extra caps, a couple of balls and patch material in there just in case. I have also used them to hold a screw jag for pulling balls. On one of my flinters I keep a jag in there along with a spare flint and leather. I don't use them as a regular loading item, but more for emergency stuff.

 

[excess650]

There WERE side hinged patch boxes, and most often associated with Bucks County Pa guns, but others are known including Jacob Dickert.

I haven't used my patchboxes for anything, but am thinking of jag/worm/ball puller/cleaning patches. If they aren't used, they are simply decorative.

 

[Juice Jaws]

When I was new and young I use mine for caps, patches, etc. Never did like it, would open it and all my caps were fall on the ground then the patches would cover them up. So now I never use it and just rub some basso on it once in a while to keep it pretty.

 

[Stumpkiller]

When this question invariably came up one of our former members would always reply that he kept M&Ms in his.

In his honor - I propose that. ;-)

 

[bender20]

I just keep my ball puller, cleaning jag and spare flint in there.

 

[Eterry]

I'm putting a wooden patchbox on my early Lancaster,after about a dozen hours on the box I HOPE I use it. My plans are to carry a spare flint, leather, tow, jag,, and some SKITTLES!! :rotf:

 

[Black Hand]

Cleaning jag/ball screw combo, extra vent pick, a few greased patches, toothpicks and a wad of Tow.

 

[Cruzatte]

I just carry a spare flint in mine.

 

[necchi]

Nope.
It's 2018. Everything I need for my short trips afield are in a pocket.
They hadn't thought up pockets yet when patch boxes where used.

 

[Don Steele]

No...I don't use them on the rifles I have that have one.
In fact, the last 2 rifles I've had built for me were specifically ordered without a patch box.

 

[Elnathan]

They certainly had pockets in the 18th century. Also shooting pouches, and the overlap in the hunting shirt.

I use the wooden box on my rifle to store the tow worm and ball puller, plus any extra small things I don't want to get lost in the bag. Very, very handy - a box is high on the list of things I want on a rifle. I like having a storage compartment on the gun so much that I even try to put them on modern guns, for what that is worth.

I haven't been able to test it yet, but a hinged metal box strikes me as perfectly evolved to carry precut greased patches. Greased patches can't be left loose in the bag, lest they get dirty, and the classical hinged, assisted-opening box with a push-button catch gives you a built-in container for carrying them that does away with the intermediate steps of removing and replacing a tin from your bag and can be operated with one hand while the other retains control of the weapon. The result should be significantly fewer movements to reload the gun, making it a faster and smoother process. If I was putting together a muzzleloader for a serious survival situation, in which I expected to have to reload when wet, cold, hungry, sleep-deprived, and possibly while being chased by something scary, a box with a hinged lid would be high on my priority list.

 

[Calum]

'morning,
I do use it, but as most posters seem to, not for "everyday use".
I've drilled into the stock inside of each, to support a cone/vent pick. That's the only item that's universal across the rifles that have a patch box, and it's more of a back up. Most also have an oiled patch or two, one has a spare cone.
Mike

 

[Juice Jaws]

When this question invariably came up one of our former members would always reply that he kept M&Ms in his.

In his honor - I propose that. ;-)

And I will second that. Good idea

 

[Vaino]

Although I install a Pbox on all my builds and all my personal hunting guns have Pboxes and as the saying goes, the size should accommodate a "Snickers Bar" which I don't keep in the Pbox or anything else for that matter.

I build spec LRs and they "need" a Pbox to be attractive to the buyer and some will use it and some won't. Judging from the responses on this topic, many will.

I carry a shoulder strapped bag when hunting and keep all the essentials in it......Fred

 

[azmntman]

I used to keep patches in it (lubed), then I would wrap a ball puller and patch puller in a cloth. Now I carry all my "needed" tools on a hunt in a "speer" yellow ball box with a rubber band to assure it stays closed and its in a day or fanny pack. Anybody still using a fanny pack? My daughter and son laugh at me, says it woman's way. :idunno: Women KNOW is my response :rotf:

 

[stubshaft]

Mine carries tow, extra flints and a tow worm in it WITH a couple of patches and loose balls.