ball patch ?

R

rebs

New member
I am looking for a 1 inch .015 patch to use with round balls in my 50 cal muzzle loader. what smaller caliber black powder patch measures 1 inch across ?
 
I cut mine at the muzzle. It's too hard to get a patch centered every time and it affects accuracy if it's off. Some people say it doesn't but it does with my rifle.
 
Track of the Wolf

I am looking for a 1 inch .015 patch
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Did not state, lubed or dry. Track-of the Wolf has what you need. I sense that you have more to say about what you are looking for. .... :confused:

You may run into patches that are dual rated for .45 bad .50, that run a bit smaller. ...... :)

Be Safe !!!
 
Yes I am looking for a cal rated patch that is 1" in diameter. I seen the different cal patches online but they do not say what diameter they are. Dry or lubed doesn't matter to me. I have used both.
 
Size does matter

Rebs,
Per my previous reply, dual/multiple caliber patches tend to be of a smaller diameter, than those rated for just .50. Below is an example of what I'm talking about. Even though they don't or may not list the diameter the caliber pretty much sets the diameter. But hey, if the diameter is critical to you, then why not give these folks a call and hopefully, they can give you more information. The only time one "may" get in trouble with a patch, is when it actually covers the front of the ball or not provide the proper seal. I have a number of patches that are caliber specific and will measure them and get back to you. ..... :)

https://www.trackofthewolf.com/Categories/PartDetail.aspx/180/1/OX-15-40-L

Be Safe !!!
 
Cutting at that muzzle can be a very consistent way to get a patch to be centered rightly thus unto the gun's bore.

Recovered patches cut at the muzzle show great concentricity. It can be a might bothersome though in the field without the aid of some type of rest to lay the piece against when cutting. Pre-cut patches are more convenient for hunting. It can be quite a trick to get at the muzzle in such conditions as having no rest for the rifle or support as in the hunting environment. Be careful not to nick oneself!

Still, one can go to Jo-Anns and find the proper fabric of which there are several. Take along a micrometer and measure the thickness. Buy what you need, or perhaps several different types. Look for a strong natural fabric with a tight weave, such as pillow ticking or denims. Avoid synthetics such as polyester, they are no good for our purposes and can melt in the barrel.

Then, one can lubricate them with all manners of natural lubricants, there are endless recipes and combinations. Trying them along with varying the quantity and type of powder, among other factors, all play in getting the piece to "shoot sweet" as it were.

One can cut at the muzzle, or use what is referred to as a "hollow punch" which takes such form as an inverted cone with a handle atop it. It produces a circular patch. Some hollow punches are of superior quality, though all may need to have their edges dressed to keep them cutting patches rightly.
 
Good Luck

Rebs,
By now you should see that patches are rated by caliber and you are specific on what you are looking for. It's not surprising that you can't find that listed 1" requirement but you may have a good reason for this. ..... :confused:

I have measured my patches and the ones rated for a .50 cal, are 1-3/8".

My dual rated .45-.50 patches, have a smaller diameter of 1-1/8". AS for me, I call that good. Looks like your going to have to punch out your own.

As Marco would say; Good luck. ..... :D

Be Safe !!!
 
I was at a muzzle loader shoot and seen how good some of those guys shot. Most said they die cut their own patches and for 50 cal they cut them at 1" diameter which makes it much easier to center on the bore to seat the ball. Also there is less fabric bunching up in the bore when the ball is shot.
 
One can always cut at the muzzle, seating the ball maybe 1/16" below flush at the muzzle, and measure the fired patch. This will give you an ideal patch size to be sure.
 
I bought some 45-50 patches like another guy suggested and they are a lot easier to center on the bore to seat the ball.
 
I was into black powder shooting back in the 70's and had a .50 Hawken. Never had to worry about patches vs accuracy etc. I had a set of cutters and made my own patches for all my black power rifles and pistols. Never a problem with accuracy or performance of and firearm.
 
Flax fibre

For a number of years, I too thought that "all" patching material was made from Cotton. Then read about "Fine Irish Linen" and it's made from Flax fibre. When the M/L allows me to do so, I shoot .495 with a .010 patch. However, when teaching I only mention .490 with a .015 "Linen" patch. Whenever I shoot, I read the shot patches to see how they are performing. ..... :)


Irish linen (Irish: Línéadach Éireannach[1]) is the brand name given to linen produced in Ireland. Linen is cloth woven from, or yarn spun from the flax fibre, which was grown in Ireland for many years before advanced agricultural methods.
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Be Safe !!!
 
flax is a natural fiber basically more common in the old world than here in the USA
Here Cotton is prevalent and linen is made from cotton, clear back to the Egyptian days.

linen also comes in different thicknesses.

cotton,linen, denim etc is measured by weight.
they increase the weight two ways. using a thicker diameter thread, or weaving it titghter with more threads per inch.
Try your bed sheets ( all cotton ones) they make good patches
very lightweight blue jeans (like for toddlers) will also work
 
Flax fibre, is current

flax is a natural fiber basically more common in the old world than here in the USA
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Not exclusive to the old world or even Europe. What I have left, is a table-cloth that came from "Penny's". :rolleyes:

What you may want to ask, is; Why Flax fibre "might" be better that Cotton? :confused:

Be Safe !!!
 
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