Bigger ball thiner patch, or smaller ball thicker patch?
07-22-2006, 03:16 PM
#1
Nontypical Buck
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Fargo, ND
Posts: 1,800
Bigger ball thiner patch, or smaller ball thicker patch?
Do you guys use thicker patches and smaller balls or bigger balls and thinner patches? I do not think it makes a difference in how fast you game will go down but I think a thicker patch and smaller ball because your patch will be stronger and hold up better. What do you all use?
For me it is a .530 ball and .015 patch.
For me it is a .530 ball and .015 patch.
07-22-2006, 03:29 PM
#2
Dominant Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 21,193
RE: Bigger ball thiner patch, or smaller ball thicker patch?
I personally prefer the small ball and bigger thicker patch. I have a mold to make .535 ball and there are few patches that I can load the rifle easy, with that ball...
07-22-2006, 05:28 PM
#4
Giant Nontypical
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 6,585
RE: Bigger ball thiner patch, or smaller ball thicker patch?
Well,I just have to be different,I use a ball 5 thousands smaller than the bore diameter and a ticking patch 22 thousands thick. Back when I built muzzleloaders this was the only combination that I could depend on to shoot half the ball weight in powder not blow the patch and be accurate to 2.5 inch or less groups @100 yd. Lee
07-24-2006, 12:13 PM
#5
Typical Buck
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Michigan
Posts: 771
RE: Bigger ball thiner patch, or smaller ball thicker patch?
I prefer a smaller ball and a thicker or ticking patch. I find that a heavier ticking patch tends to hold up better and more consistantly.
.45 cal= .440"RB + .018" ticking patch
.50 cal= .490"RB + .018" ticking patch
.54 cal= .530"RB + .018" ticking patch.
I do have a couple of ML's with bores that are too tight for a .018" ticking patch and thus I use a standard .015" patch. Also I have a couple of ML's with a bore's that prefer a .020" patch.
Tahquamenon
.45 cal= .440"RB + .018" ticking patch
.50 cal= .490"RB + .018" ticking patch
.54 cal= .530"RB + .018" ticking patch.
I do have a couple of ML's with bores that are too tight for a .018" ticking patch and thus I use a standard .015" patch. Also I have a couple of ML's with a bore's that prefer a .020" patch.
Tahquamenon
