Muzzle loading patches

You think you have it bad? I paid $15 for 100 58 Cal patches... I just placed an order from possibles shop for about $12 for 500 and I think its only another 25 cents to have them lubed.

If you want the best accuracy attainable w/a patched round ball, and you want the simplest, most expedient, and economical patching system there is, for a muzzleloader, here's what ya do:

1. Use only pure linen w/the simplest 90' weave, .010'' to .015'' thick, depending on the OD of the ball(s) used. Use a micrometer to determine the linen thickness. Buy it by the yard, cut it into 1.5'' to 1.75'' wide, long strips, lube it w/your favorite lube, and roll it up tite.

2. Unroll a short section of the linen strip, lay it across the muzzle, the same direction every load, and start the ball into the bore, over the linen. When the ball is below the surface of the muzzle, gather up the linen over/around the ball, like a pouch, and cut the linen off, w/a very sharp patch knife, flush w/the surface of the muzzle. This will leave a round hole in the linen strip coming off the roll, and will center the ball in the patch every time. Finish loading the patched ball.

3. Wipe the bore w/a dry cleaning patch (diaper flannel is the best) immediately after loading, before shooting. This removes any excess lube in the bore and provides a consistent bore from shot to shot. Save the wiping patch for use all day.

There are specific reasons why all the above works. We can hammer it all out in further discussion if you wish.

Or you can just try it and be amazed!

Kindest Regards,
Doak

Google "Arch Punch" and go from there.
I like 7/8 " diameter patches for my .36 cal. Seneca.

Dave A said:

Who manfactures punches that can be used to cut patches from patch fabric? I need patches for my .36 rifle but the cost for such is absurd per 100 patches.

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I'm going to be ostracized probably, but you want a tight weave that fit's your ball to the grooves and is just slick enough that your bullet behaves like it wants to.... a sweet spot so to speak. I use ballistol when I can't find any soluable oil...

A micrometer is a good idea if you have a collapsable fabric to figure out what it will "compress" to in order to take up the "windage", as I've been privy to the vernacular.

That's all I've got to offer...

Oh... and you can find it at a yard sale or in your closet or maybe on your bed.

Much Aloha..

I use cleaning patches for .22 caliber rifles as patch material for my .45 caliber Pedersoli pistol. I warn some bore butter and put a light coating on each patch, then stack them in a small tupperware type container. Add some balls to the container and you are set for convenient, easy, shooting.

We shoot about 2,000 a year in our single shot pistols. I cut them square from bought material. No problem and cheap!

I do believe "old Dutch" had it right when he said each muzzle loader is a beast unto itself. That is why he devised using pillow ticking .012-.015 thick using water soluble oil all the way from 2-1 to 10-1 mixed with water and let dry to where only the oiled patch material is present. Note the patching material should be laid out in 1" strips on a flat surface so the oil will be evenly distributed when dry. I use anywhere from 3-1 to 7-1 depending on the liking of my smokepole. Believe me it works very well with round ball.

Go to Goodwill, check ladies dress area for 100% linen; for about $5 you get enough patches to last a very long time. Cut into desired width strips and soak in desired patch lube(i use mink tallow from track of the wolf)

Crisco works good for patch lube.

boommer said:

Crisco works good for patch lube.

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True... but as "loosely" defined in his expose', you don't really know "till you know"... and that takes effort and time. You'd be REALLY surprised as to what we accept as accurate as what is.... and that is why I am forever thankful that I was both referred to and had opportunity on several occasions to actually talk to the man they call Dutch!

Are you guys serious.........use a Scissor........cheaper and easire.....I actually have been using Bed Sheet material....love it and by it by the yard in Fabric Stores.

I use Doak's method. Its easy and inexpensive.

Doak is right on for best accuracy and low cost. I teach the muzzle loading rifle part of the Florida Hunter safety class and use thousands of patches each year. I buy pillow-ticking fabric from Jo-Ann's Fabrics by the yard, wash it to get the sizing (starch) out of it and make it more flexible. Depending on the caliber of the rifle I tear the cloth into strips. (7/8" for a .36, 1 1/8 for a .45, 1 1/4" for a .50, and 1 3/8" for a .54) Then cut strips into squares with sharp sissors. I dampen these lightly with plain water mixed with 1/8 Balistol and keep them in zip-lock bags so they don't dry out before use. I have our shooters wipe the bore after every shot with a slightly moist muslin cleaning patch (same size) before reloading to keep bore condition uniform and prevent the buildup of fouling (this also will quench any lingering sparks). Simply center the patch and seat the ball with a short starter. Cheap, efficient, accurate--what's not to like about that?

Do what Doak says, don't waste your money on the precut stuff.