"Make-do" round ball patches?

[Naphtali]

Patched round ball shooters may experiment with using different patch thicknesses, or RB diameters, or exhaust their supply of either component. I expect that most of these shooters have [tried??] jury-rigging loads by using more than one patch when loading - that is, double patching thinner cloth patches to emulate the thicker patch they prefer or exhausted.

As best you can, patched RB shooters, how does such jury-rigging effect accuracy, consistency, and perhaps velocity?

[bob208]

I make my own patches form material bought from Jo-Ann fabrics. but one time I went on a woods walk and forgot my shooting patches. so I doubled my cleaning patches and shot the match. they worked just fine. shot to the same point of aim. I won the woods walk.

[Hickory]

I make my own patches form material bought from Jo-Ann fabrics. but one time I went on a woods walk and forgot my shooting patches. so I doubled my cleaning patches and shot the match. they worked just fine. shot to the same point of aim. I won the woods walk.

A man after my own heart.

I once went hunting and forgot my patches also, only I cut a strip out of my flannel shirt and made the patch.
Got a 4 point buck a few hours later.

[rfd]

cigarette rolling paper can be used with existing patch cloth to "bump" it up a bit if need be.

[725]

I started in 1978 with a .45 cal long rifle. When I went shooting, I wore a trashed T-shirt and at the loading I'd lift the trailing edge of the T-shirt, slop it in my mouth to get it wet, place it over the muzzle, set the ball and cut away the excess with my pocket knife. Shot pretty good.

[mooman76]

Flannel isn't the best but I have used it and it does work if you don't push it too hard. I usually use old cotton clothing remnants.

[Boaz]

You can use virtually any thing that will not melt or do damage to the bore . newspaper , wasp nest , toilet paper......? Accuracy will still remain with shooting ability of the user for the better part .

[Chill Wills]

I'm thinking in 1840 anywhere west of St Lewis, creativity happened everyday.

[OverMax]

Doubling of patches.
I just had a conversation with Marvin about the same subject. As told he has done it to his own rifle. i.e. No problems incurred.
I myself haven't tried the doubling technique yet. But I fully intend too~~soon.

[triggerhappy243]

Now you got me curious.will denim fabric from blue jeans work?

[RU shooter]

Now you got me curious.will denim fabric from blue jeans work?

Yep , if it's about the right thickness . I've used a double thick denim patch with a .440 ball in a 50 cal barrel just to see what happened . Shot good enough to kill a deer at 50 yd .

[rfd]

lots will also depend on how to expect to load - either thumb seating and pushing of the ramrod, to ball starter and/or hammered seating. that may also depend on the kinda consistent accuracy you require, either MOA or MOD (minute of deer). so there may be a compromise of how best to load ...

[Boaz]

I'm thinking in 1840 anywhere west of St Lewis, creativity happened everyday.

Yep .

[Boaz]

Not advising the use of toilet paper but it will provide enough 'fit' to achieve rotation . Green tree leaves will work ..ask me how I know . Ultimate accuracy will most likely not be achieved but the whole question is what will 'do' in a bind ? I over patch ...it's a sickness lol . I pull several hung balls every time I go to the range . Yea I know ...stupid .

[DIRT Farmer]

Then there is leather from the tounge of your shoe

[bob208]

I had read some where that the mountain men used leather patches.

[waksupi]

I had read some where that the mountain men used leather patches.

The thin flank area of a brain tanned smoked hide works very well. As long as you can locate it after the shot, it can be used over and over again.