It's a slow process. But I AM learning....

[BCRider]

I found out just how important the lowly patch is to accuracy this past weekend.

I was walking the black powder trail at my club's big summer shoot doing the pistol targets with a caplock .45caliber Ardessa stubby pistol.

The first 7 targets I only hit 3. Then I switched over to a slightly thicker patch to try it out. Suddenly I was Deadeye Dan, Eagle Eye Earl and Sharpshooter Sam all rolled up into one and hit all nine of the remaining targets on the course.

I'd previously also noted that my accuracy with my .50cal Lyman GPR had fallen off badly. Which, as it happens, coincided with the switch from .490 ball with thicker patching over to using the 4 boxes of .495 balls I'd bought on sale with a thinner patch. Now I'm thinking that it isn't me so much as the switch to the new combo.

Apparently I need to spend a couple of quality afternoons at the range on a quiet day where I can just play with combinations until I find a couple of options that the rifle likes.

Like I said, it's slow going but I AM learning.....

One question. Did I go a little too far in trying to use .495 balls with a thin patch in the .50 bore?

I'm also starting to feel like there's a "happy" feel on the ramrod when things are going right. Like the rod shouldn't be able to ram the PRB home too easily but at the same time I shouldn't have to use a handy trail side rock as a hammer to "pile drive" the PRB home. Thoughts on this?

 

[CANNONMAN]

I'd chrono the patch difference. My guess is the thinner patch is slower. Add 50% distance and check for drop between patches if no chrono is available. If there is no difference... Never take my advice.

 

[AJumbo]

Sometimes changing the patch material will allow you to keep using a larger ball without destroying the patch. Some fabric weaves are just too open, and the patches can tear on loading. The important thing is you seem to have found a go-to combo for your rifle, so now you're free to experiment.

 

[Crawdad1]

I'm also starting to feel like there's a "happy" feel on the ramrod when things are going right

I know exactly what you mean, you just get that 'feel' like you're in the zone kind of thing.

 

[jgh4445]

Now, see what a difference the different lubes make. Lubes make a difference just like the patches did. So many variables...so little time.. Be sure to only change one variable at the time, else you won't know which changed variable made the difference.

 

[hushnel]

I look for the spent patches as I go out to the target, the spent patch tells you a lot about what's going on. Look for burning and blowby, check to see if the weave has spread too much. I like pillow ticking but its thick, you may have to go down in ball diameter by a thousandths.

 

[BCRider]

All your suggestions will have to wait for now. I have to get some other things done. But I'm taking it all in and will report back once I get a good quiet day at the range to test all this stuff out.

The "epiphany" wasn't with my rifle. It was that silly little stubby looking cheap Ardessa pistol.

Although I'm sure hoping I can match what happened with my pistol with the rifle. I'd be a super happy camper if I do.