Well, I have read so many paper patching discussions over the last four months I wonder if anything could be said about the subject that I haven't seen at least twice. If there is, I am probably too 'full' to absorb it.
Assembling 'bits and pieces' of theory, experience, and speculation from four different forums (and having done some loading bench experimenting with donated bullets) I am ready to make up some loads to try.
And...this will be a black powder project.
I even appreciate comments from those who I 'argued with', as their input provided contrast for evaluating all the rest of the information.
I have decided to use the Theodore Money-nosed PP bullet, but in .450" naked diameter (samples generously donated by Arnie Moos), and the 9 lb. onionskin I found on eBay. Arnie's bullets are very 'soft', and I imagine I will eventually switch to 16-1 alloy to prevent slumping of that narrow Money nose.
So, as I progress toward patching my first bullets, they will be patched-to-groove (almost), and, according to last night's calculations, seated in the case .465" to get leade/nose contact.
(This should mean that the leade does not have to be scrupulously cleaned by shot-to-shot wiping...as required for shallowly seated patched-to-bore bullets.)
I made up a test round with a patched diameter of .455" thumb-seated in a fireformed case, over 1.5 grains of Red Dot, and lit by a magnum primer. It threw the bullet halfway up the bore, and I pounded it back out into the chamber. Of course I messed up the nose.
But the patched area was unmodified...and showed good results in all of the factors I was looking at. Rifling was clearly evident in the paper and the lead, and the patch passed through the leade with no folding, tearing, peeling, scuffing, or other problems. As I peeled the patch from the bullet, it came away in small flakey segments (shreds) delineated by the rifling cuts.
I knew immediately that the patch/bullet sealed the bore well because...when I dropped the breech block...the empty case went past me like a scalded dog.
They say a smokeless shooter must patch to groove because his powder won't bump-up a bullet. And, those who use smokeless do claim good results with patched to groove bullets.
A shooter using black can patch to bore because his powder is able to bump the bullet...but he doesn't have to.
I'm following the 'doesn't have to' part of that rule of thumb...for starters...because groove diameter seems to be more correct for use in my chamber dimensions.
This thread may get some age on it before I ever have a chance to post some shooting results. Judging by today's weather, it may not happen until August!
But, I will resurrect it whenever I have something to add...and you guys can fill pages with information, too.
Just remember the thread IS aimed at 'black powder'...so don't feel ignored if I (or others) don't get worked up over new 'smokeless' information.
CM