Who uses their patchboxes?

[Greebe]

Like the title says, who actually uses their patchboxes?

I don't usually because I already have my shooting supplies in a bag, so there is really no need to store pathes in the patchbox.

How bout you guys?

Greebe

 

[hanshi]

I usually keep and extra flint or two and extra patches.

 

[BrownBear]

Gotta tell you about the time I made a bum shot and wounded a deer, then went to reload before tracking it down. Opened my bag, and no patches. Zero, zip, nadda. Got the deer, but it woulda happened quicker if I had more confidence or experience in shooting bare ball from a rifle. Got within 20 yards to do the deed, but could have ended it an hour earlier if I'd had a patch. Didn't occur to me till later that even a hunka tee shirt or my denim pant leg would have been better.

Prior to that, my patch box held all sorts of odds and ends.

Now it holds a few less odds and ends, but I keep it all quiet with a few greased patches on top of the pile before closing the lid.

 

[biliff]

Use mine to hold patches.

 

[nchawkeye]

I do, have a wrapped flint, jag, pick, short roll of lubed ticking and my knapping rod...

 

[AZbpBurner]

My Gallagher has a patchbox. Inside it's drilled and a spare nipple is fitted. I opened it once to see what's inside over 35 years ago, and again recently, just to check if the spare is still there.

My Dad's rifle has a beautiful spring-loaded patch box with release in the toe plate. If it has patches inside, they're around 45 years old. Next time I have it out, I'll check.

The Lyman/Cabelas/ Brass-fitted half stock rifle that will incur foolish indignation should I actually call it a Hawken, (so I won't) has a heavy, cast patchbox set into the stock. I recall opening it to polish the brass when I received it from the seller (sold on the Muzzleloader Forum Classified ads) but I don't recall seeing anything inside.

Maybe I'll take a tip from the Gallagher, and drill out a recess to fit a spare nipple into ...

 

[Curt]

Tooth picks for pluggin the vent when cleanin. Curt

 

[Greebe]

Thanks guys. Seems like a fair bit of you guys don't really use them either. All I have right now is a Hawken style rifle and the patchbox is virtually useless because of how small it is. Can't even put a jag in there. Now if it was one of those larger ones that might be a different story.

 

[Greebe]

I might be able to put some pipe tobacco in my patchbox, but then I would need something to smoke out of and there is definitely no way I am getting one of my pipes in there. :haha:

Maybe if I brought a pipe hawk, had the tobacco in the patchbox along with some char-cloth, use the flintlock to catch a spark on the char-cloth, started a fire, then lit the pipe we would be getting somewhere. :grin:

But again, it seems like it would be easier just to keep it in my shooting bag. Hehe

 

[Rusty_Nail]

If you want to hold something in it like a jag, You can use a dremel and deepen a little. :hmm:

 

[Black Hand]

Tow, worm, screw, a few toothpicks and a greased patch.

 

[cynthialee]

Jag, ball puller and ear plugs to keep them from rattling around.

 

[George T.]

I really do not use mine very much but I do miss one on the GPR. I have a few patches and n extra nipple in mine.

Geo. T.

 

[Stumpkiller]

Spare flint, one extra ball, cleaning jag, ball puller, tow worm wrapped in tow and a spare vent pick - all wrapped in patch material for quiet (and patch material).

If I pass suddenly it also gives the next owner a head-start to what works and the ball size needed.

 

[stinkyfeet]

I use mine to stash money away from the wife for future gun purchases. She never looks in there its a perfect spot

 

[Curt]

Greebe I like my patch boxes .I just like to keep my other stuff in my pouch so I don't lose it .I lost a flint wallet full of goods once and that took a long time to find .Do what works for you though.Curt

 

[Bobby James]

Ball removing screw.

 

[Trench]

I was waiting for this topic to resurface, so I took these photos. Here's what I use my patchbox for:

I named my rifle Fearnaught, and it also needed it's own poem, of course.

 

[S.Kenton]

I keep a few extra cleaning patches, shooting patches ball puller, patch extractor and an extra nipple in there. BTW.. NICE looker you have there Stumpkiller!

 

[Billnpatti]

I keep a cleaning jag and patch worm in mine. That's all I use it for. It looks pretty but has little practical value for me.