[huli]

I bought a Thompson Center scout the other day.(still looking for a Patriot) I am going to shoot some round balls thru it,and would like to know what is the best thing(laying around the house) for patch material? Its a real nice pistol,Has a Custom Shop 54 caliber barrel,and real sweet Walnut grips. Any ifo will be greatly Appreceated. Thanks Steve

[kjeff50cal]

Congrats on your TC Scout. The best patching material is 100% Cotton, followed closely by linen (no polyester blends). If you have a micrometer the width depends on the size of the balls you are loading and can vary from 0.010" to 0.020". The ball must be tight enough with your choice of lube to have resistance down the barrel without binding in a clean bore.

A lot of BP round ball shooters use 100% cotton pillow ticking (Wally World). Before you use it wash the material at least once to get the sizing (starch) out of it, the lube will adhere better.

kjeff50cal

[stevelyn]

I use pre-lubed pillow ticking patches. One of these days I'll get a punch and start getting my material in bulk from Wally World or Micheal's.

[ArmedBear]

Yeah, a punch and bulk pillow ticking is the way to go, and it's easy. A short section of steel tube with a sharpened end, on a piece of wood, hit with a hammer, makes a perfectly adequate punch.