Thin versus thick patches

[Gil Martin]

Most of my muzzleloaders have shot rather well with .015" patches using Crisco as a lube agent and lead balls. On my last trip to the gun shop, I picked up several packs of patches. Upon arriving home I noticed they were .010" and pre-lubed with an oily material. I decided to use them up and get some thicker patches.

At the range, the standard powder charges produced much tighter groups. The only variable was the change in patch thickness. The same thing happened when I shot the thinner patches in other rifles. Yesterday, a chap was watching my target as I banged away with a .50 Lyman Great Plains flintlock. He came up to me an told me I was keeping the balls almost touching inside the 2-inch bull on the target.

I believe I will stay with these thinner patches for awhile. Anyone else have a similar experience? All the best...
Gil

[Adam Helmer]

Gil,

Excellent post. I have about four different thicknesses of patches on establishment to accomodate my various muzzleloaders. Yes, patch thickness does affect things as do lubes and propellant. I keep good notes and record the bad as well as the good results to prevent re-inventing the wheel, so to speak. Go with what works best for your arms.

Adam

[Mr. 16 gauge]

When I received my .54 cal Hawken, it was recommended in the manual that I use .015 patches with a .530 round ball.....however, doing so was a VERY tight fit; I had to "hammer" the ball to get it down the bore. I went to the thinner .010 patch and haven't looked back. BTW, I did mike the balls, and they were .530, so it wasn't like I was shooting oversized balls.