Patch cutter dia. for different cal. muzzleloaders?

[will52100]

Anybody know the diameter of patches or patch cutters for patched round ball rifles? I've only got two cal. present, a .40 and a .54 with a .45 I'm working on. I've had good results with pillow ticking, but I'd like to turn a cutter to make precut patches.

Any ideas? I've thought about just getting the fired patches and measuring them, but patch material stretches and gets frayed on the edges after firing.

Thanks

[dromia]

I use this cutter, it goes up from one inch in 1/16" increments.

http://www.pinetreestrading.co.uk/ek...les-6024-p.asp

[LynC2]

I use this cutter, it goes up from one inch in 1/16" increments.

http://www.pinetreestrading.co.uk/ek...les-6024-p.asp

How well does it work? It looks to be a neat tool and Amazon carries it too.

[Czech_too]

The other day I happened to measure some T/C patches which, according to the packaging, were suitable for a .45 & .50 caliber. They measured 1 1/8" in diameter. I've been using some General Tool arch punches, without complaint. The 7/8" punch for the .45, not sure what size I used for the .32

[bosterr]

I use 1 1/2" diameter cotton linen for my custom 54 cal. I ground the teeth off a hole saw and re-sharpened the edge to near razor sharp. I cut 3 layers at a time on my drill press and a piece of poplar board. Makes a lot of patches fast.

[Nobade]

I do the same as Bosterr. Hole saws are cheap, and once ground can zip through a stack of cloth as thick as the saw is deep. Just back it with some wood and keep your finger out of the way!

-Nobade

[dromia]

How well does it work? It looks to be a neat tool and Amazon carries it too.

Works very well for me, and cost me a lot less than a drill press.

[mooman76]

Square patches shoot just as well as the round ones. Just use scissors.

[pietro]

.

IME, patch diameter makes little difference, regardless of bore size - as long as the patch (visible at the muzzle while loading) is large enough to cover the ball a little forward of it's contact area with the bore, yet small enough that it's doesn't greatly overlap the ball enough to obstruct the ball during firing.



OTOH, patch thickness ( in relation to the difference between the whatever size ball's O.D. & the bore I.D.) can/will make a big difference in both ease-of-loading & accuracy.




.

[Gtek]

No strip and knife fans here?

[will52100]

Thanks, good info. I'll have to check the circle cutter out, never seen it before. I've been cutting from a strip at the muzzle with a knife, but witch cold weather coming it's a fiddly step I can eliminate. I did cut some square patches with the corners nipped off for the .40 cal, just need to do something like that for the 54.

I've been looking at the punches Dixie gun works sells, and there nice, but expensive and I've got a lathe.

I'll experiment with scissor cut square patches, if I like the results I probably won't bother making a punch. I like the idea of modifying a cheap hole saw though, that's a good idea.

[waksupi]

Sure is easier to rip strips, and then cut several layers at a time with scissors while sitting watching tv.

[will52100]

You've got a point there, just wasn't sure how square would work compared to round.

[dromia]

Squares are indeed easier to cut but I find circles easier to centre on the muzzle, just a personal thing.

[Idz]

Rule of thumb I heard was a good patch diameter = bullet circumference so a 50 cal uses about a 1 1/2" diameter patch.

[rfd]

patch strips are best, at least for me. cut off at the muzzle for a perfectly concentric patch every time. ditto for a board speed loader. patch strips are 1-1/4" to 1-3/4" wide dependant on the rifle/musket bore, and 12 to 18 inches long, dry lubed in a 1:6 ballistol:water mix. no muss, no fuss. easy peasy. accurate. ymmv.

[will52100]

I looked on Dixie's website and there listing a 1 1/4" punch for 54 cal. Not sure how it'll work. Next time I have some time and the lathe free I will have to turn one out and see how it goes. For now I'm thinking I'll make up some octagonal patches, just squares with the corners nipped off and see how they do.

[dromia]

Strips cut at the muzzle do give good patches however it is another step in the loading process so my personal preference is for pre cut patches, less to do in the field is good to me.

[Nobade]

I just do 'em both ways. Some rifles get pre cut patches and others get strips. For some reason which to use seems obvious when I am out on the range playing with them.

-Nobade

[fogg64]

I use precut to speed up reloading to get another shot as that whitetail bounds away from me,. At the range I use strips and a sharp knife only because I am too lazy to spend a lot of time cutting patches (getting older, time is important).