Does it make a difference?

[161]

Hope you guys don't run out of patience with me. Does it make a difference in accuracy between these to patches? Or does it depend on the gun?
Thanks
161

[geargnasher]

Shoot a batch of each and see, that's really the only way to tell for sure.

Gear

[303Guy]

I be interested in this one too. I'd think the first one would feed easier with less likelihood of catching the patch edge while the second might fragment at the muzzle easier. Then again the longer patch might support the boolit in the boor better.

Something I've observed it even with a patch right at the start of the ogive, on firing the patch gets impressed into the shank, leaving a ridge at the end of the ogive so maybe taking the patch up past the ogive start is better.

[161]

Well I went out today with some short patch, long patch with 2400 and RX7 doesn't look to me that it makes a diffence. At least not enough for me to see. Also one of the best groups I shot were the ones I thought I cut the wrong way. AKA cut with the grain. I try to explain the pics as I go

SPTP= Short Patch Trace Paper


Short Patch Note Book Paper wrapped what I thought was the wrong way. My LEE 405.


LEE 405 Short Patch Trace Paper



Short Patch Trace Paper
The Note Book Paper had boolits sized to .452 then the wrapped boolit sized .460.
The Trace Paper were sized .454 wrapped then sized .460. I'm happy with the results. All were shot at 50 yards iron sights off sand bags on my pick up hood.
161

[303Guy]

Looking good! It also means we don't have to worry about how far up to patch.

I did suggest we might have the grain direction wrong all along.
I'm going to try running the grain the other way and see what difference it makes.

[161]

Looking good! It also means we don't have to worry about how far up to patch.

I did suggest we might have the grain direction wrong all along.
I'm going to try running the grain the other way and see what difference it makes.

I did notice that if the grain ran around the boolit I had more tear and separate when I post sized them. When the grain runs the same direction and the boolit is moving through the sizer it appears stronger. Now I'm wondering about wrapping the boolit counter clockwise.

[303Guy]

I've had patches snagging and scraping bits off with cross grain. I wonder .... ???

[geargnasher]

Now you know! I think you also answered you own question about how "perfect" your patching job needs to be, the targets tell me you're doing a pretty good job.

I prefer to run the grain so that it's lengthwise with the bore, mainly because it increases the stretch when wrapping and dries tighter, which makes it easier to post-size and load. It also seems to shuck more easily. Does it shoot any bettter that way? Not really.

Gear

[303Guy]

So I thought, Bingo! I quickly tore a sheet of my patch paper and it seems I had it right all along anyway!

I tend to heed what gearnasher says. He does when I only speculate. He's a great asset to out forum!

[geargnasher]

I don't know about that, 303Guy, you're test tube and camera skills do a lot more than speculate!

Gear

[161]

I've also noticed that the Suter's Choise boolits are a lot more prone to slipping or tearing the patch than my Lee slugs when sizing and loading. I think it's because the Lee has several small grooves and hold the patch better than the Suter's. It has one large groove and the rest is smooth.

[161]

Did a little patching today thought I'd try wrapping some counter clockwise. Talk about feeling like your wearing a pair of boxing gloves. But after a few it got easier.

[pdawg_shooter]

I did notice that if the grain ran around the boolit I had more tear and separate when I post sized them. When the grain runs the same direction and the boolit is moving through the sizer it appears stronger. Now I'm wondering about wrapping the boolit counter clockwise.

I patch with the grain in the same direction as the bullet because I can get more stretch that way. Makes for a tighter patch and less damage loading, feeding, and seems to leave the bullet better at the muzzle.

[barrabruce]

It seems to me you've got a fair gap in the patch join area.
Thou they are pretty consistent.
Try tightening and indexing the gap to a point in loading ie: top of chamber and see if it matters any.
What do they say about accuracy...its all just the same.

Barra
Hope it does some good.