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-success-circle-scissor-pro-circle-cutter-tool-circles-6024-p.asp

[LynC2]

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

http://www.pinetreestrading.co.uk/ek-success-circle-scissor-pro-circle-cutter-tool-circles-6024-p.asp

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

[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. :D

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,:bigsmyl2:. 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).

[bonza]

To determine the diameter of patch I need I just load a ball using the strip & cut method & then pull (or shoot) & measure the patch. I then use an arch punch of the appropriate size to cut a supply of patches. I have found that by doing it this way I end up with patches slightly smaller in diameter than the generic pre-cut ones available commercially.

[TooOldTooCare]

Dont mean to revive an old thread but a quick question on patch size. I have a .50 cal Pedersoli Alamo I recently purchased and have been cutting patches trying to find an easier method to cut them. I have arthritis and bursitis in my shoulders and anything that can make patch cutting quicker and easier would be a relief. I have tried multiple circle cutters with varying degrees of success , the only one that has been moderately successful has been a circle cutter that looks like a compass and you spin it around, its slow and kills your fingers after a couple of dozen. I have recently seen something at a local Spotlight store (womens craft store) made by fiskers and it looks very simple to use and looks to be kinder on my joints, the only issue is the smallest size it cuts is 2". Would 2" be too big for a shooting patch for the .50 Cal ?

Thankyou from Australia

[rfd]

precut muzzleloader patches don't need to be round, square works just as well.

OR, cut off at the muzzle, or use a ball board, and they'll always be perfectly sized.

the thing about patches for balls is their thickness and material composition, not their outer diameter shape.

[will52100]

One thing I've done for my 40 cal is to cut them with scissors. Simply square them up then nip the corners off. Works well for my rifle.

[jjarrell]

I use a ball block when hunting. Ball and patch strip cut at the block. It’s just like trimming at the muzzle but with 10 patched and ready to go. If it’s range time, I cut the strip after starting the ball. Saving time at the range is of little importance to me as it’s for my relaxation. Precut or from a strip, it’s all personal preference. Have fun and shoot safely.

[megasupermagnum]

The patches don't stretch that much during firing. I only cut at the muzzle. My patches come out right at 1 1/4" diameter for my 54 calibers.

[indian joe]

The patches don't stretch that much during firing. I only cut at the muzzle. My patches come out right at 1 1/4" diameter for my 54 calibers.

I reckon you want to give it a bit more for precut patches - we dont always get everything dead square loading
54=inch and a half
50=inch and a quarter
45 = a fat inch

can make a quite effective cutter out of a six inch piece of steel water pipe - grind the one end sharp (about a 45degree edge no more) iron your patch material flat - it cuts better - fold and iron the piece of cloth until you have at least eight thicknesses (maybe double again to 16) cut on a big hardwood block and swing a big hammer - a few hundred patches only takes a couple minutes.

[Wayne Smith]

I just drilled a board for a ball carrier - 40 caliber. I drilled 29/64 because this holds the patched ball securely but not tightly. Patch is pillow ticking. 7/16" hole would squeeze the lube out of the patch.

So, where would I find a 6" piece of 1" steel water pipe? Easily accessed at Loew's or Home Depot?

[waksupi]

I just drilled a board for a ball carrier - 40 caliber. I drilled 29/64 because this holds the patched ball securely but not tightly. Patch is pillow ticking. 7/16" hole would squeeze the lube out of the patch.

So, where would I find a 6" piece of 1" steel water pipe? Easily accessed at Loew's or Home Depot?

Pretty much any hardwares store that carries plumbing supplies should have them.