Cleaning patches, round or square ?

Square ones will work, but the round ones just work a little better when using a jag (which is generally what you want for a muzzleloading gun so you can get all the way to the back), where the square ones are a little easier to use with the slotted tips.

The Whitworth cleans best with hexagonal patches.


Kevin

kyron4 said:

Another noob question. On most all videos of cleaning sidelock ML's they use a round cleaning patch to clean and lube the bore, and all the round 2" to 2 1/2" patches are marked as muzzleloader cleaning patches. Will 2" to 2 1/2" square patches work or are the round one preferred for some reason ? 2" or 2 1/2" preferred ? -Thanks

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Cleaning jags can be a little tricky to use because they can cause the jag to get stuck in the bore, I mean really stuck.
And then if the rod breaks or the jag breaks off it can cause a problem to remove.

There can be some trial & error involved with selecting the right patch to use with a jag.
Some folks reduce the diameter of their cleaning jag so that it's not quite as tight and won't get stuck.
But that can also lead to a patch that's too small or thin to get lost in the bore.
So make sure that you have a patch worm in case you ever lose a patch in the barrel, then you can fish it out with the patch worm.
This is a TC patch worm or patch puller.


I prefer to use an undersized .41 cleaning jag that works with many different calibers.
However, I cut home made patches from old tee shirts and learned how many times to fold them over to get the right tightness in the bore.
Sometimes they slip off and that's where the patch worm comes in handy.
Using a slotted tip is a lot easier if you have the right attachment.

I also use a plastic slotted tip that came with a BP cleaning kit, but some shotgun patch loops can be used with a ramrod if you have an adaptor.
Then you can use the square patches of your choice.
Sometimes it's tricky to get the patches into the barrel if they're too large but you can figure it out.

FWIW here's an example of a shotgun patch loop and thread adaptor combo. :
1. https://www.emshootingsupplies.com/store/p364/10/12/16/20_GA.__5/16-27_THREAD.html#/
2. https://www.emshootingsupplies.com/store/p447/10/32_TO_5/16-27_THREAD.html#/
I don't know which caliber that your gun is but if the tip is too large of a diameter then maybe it can be reduced.
They also make a smaller patch loop, but if it's too small to hold large patches then they may not clean well.
Muzzle loading allows for a lot of options.

I like to cut waffle knit cotton into ....about 1.75" squares.
Flannel works good too.
I dont think I have ever bought a cleaning patch.
I use square on my jag all the time.

I cut old shirts for cleaning patches. They are always "square-ish"

IMO these are far superior to cloth patches square or round. I don’t clean closed breech rifles but I do clean percussion cap revolver cylinders and they clean the bottoms of those well. Washable they last quite a while.
Not sure however if they come in larger calibers, these are 45’s, largest I shoot.

I cut strips of old t-shirt with a wheel on a self healing pad (wife's fabric cutting things). Then cut the strips into squares with scissors
Free are the best shape !!.

StrawHat said:

The Whitworth cleans best with hexagonal patches.


Kevin

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I saw what you did there. Still giggling.

arcticap said:

Cleaning jags can be a little tricky to use because they can cause the jag to get stuck in the bore, I mean really stuck.
And then if the rod breaks or the jag breaks off it can cause a problem to remove.

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This takes me back to the 1970's. First patch down the tube, STUCK. Using the cleaning materials that came with my then new T/C Hawken flint lock.

Best to use a brush first, then a loose fitting patch on a slotted cleaning rod.

I wrap a patch around a bore brush, it grabs the patch really well and not much chance of losing it.

Jackrabbit1957 said:

I wrap a patch around a bore brush, it grabs the patch really well and not much chance of losing it.

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I have done that plenty of times and as you say there is almost no chance of loosing it at all.

I am another who uses worn out brass brushes. They hold onto the patch like grim death.

With regard to patches themselves, I prefer round, as they seem less likely to stick. I often find myself with no option but square, though, and they work just fine.

I use a mop for final cleaning. When im out shooting. I swab the bore with a baby wipe. It keeps the bore clean enough to keep shooting. I need a day on the range with the smoke polls too. Been awhile.

I use almost exclusively worn out cotton or flannel shirts as cleaning patches and they are always "squareish"
make a strip then cut most of the way through so that each patch is held in a strip but easily pulled off for use.

I’ve always used the square GI patches.

I've never noticed a difference between square or round patches, as long as they are the correct size. I may pick up some of those Bore-tips to try cleaning my percussion revolver chambers.

Dave Markowitz said:

I've never noticed a difference between square or round patches, as long as they are the correct size. I may pick up some of those Bore-tips to try cleaning my percussion revolver chambers.

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Not trying to sell anything but those foam tips work so well it’s all I’ve used for several years now. I hold the cylinder under a hand comfortable hot water tap and use the foam tip on a short pistol cleaning rod. The hydraulic action forces water under pressure thru the nipple vent hole and completely flushes the bottom of the cylinder.
One big advantage of these over a a patch on a swag tip is these stay put on the rod between cylinder bores. I use the 357 and 45 caliber tips. I use a dry clean one for applying Ballistol to the cylinder bores and barrel bore.

.38 Special said:

I am another who uses worn out brass brushes. They hold onto the patch like grim death.

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The Tynex plastic brushes are easier to reverse in the bore, even when wrapped with a patch.
They don't brush the bore very well by themselves though.

They are what ever shape I want because I cut them from old tube socks. They clean great.

First, patch fit is highly sensitive to jag size and patch thickness. Picking a nice tight patch for your jag and barrel isn't possible without trying it.

I use square patches, because they're usually cheaper.

Round patches are better. Period.
Square patches are easier to make from old white plain t shirt or cotton panties and are cheaper for most users.

You have to clean 'em???