Reading a patch

Hello all. I have been using .015 cotton patches and noticed just a slight burning and a few very small holes in them after firing my 50 cal.(.490 ball) 1 in 72 twist barrel (using 70 gr. ffg). I thought I might go to a .018 thickness denim and noticed that there was no obvious burn but a 1/2 inch round hole in the center of the patch. I am wondering what this is telling me???.............Chawbeef

How does the gun shoot?

Is this gun relatively new?

How hard is it to start the ball?

sounds like you may several problems...

insufficient lube and sharp rifling...your patch material itself may also be part of the problem.
Also try a thinner patch once...

Chawbeef said:

Hello all. I have been using .015 cotton patches and noticed just a slight burning and a few very small holes in them after firing my 50 cal.(.490 ball) 1 in 72 twist barrel (using 70 gr. ffg). I thought I might go to a .018 thickness denim and noticed that there was no obvious burn but a 1/2 inch round hole in the center of the patch. I am wondering what this is telling me???.............Chawbeef

Click to expand...

Well - from your first statement I would say that your lube needs attention or changing.
Your second statement " I thought I might go to a .018 thickness denim and noticed that there was no obvious burn but a 1/2 inch round hole in the center of the patch" is what I don't understand. Are you saying that you HAVE changed your patch material or you MAY change your patch material and that it now has a hole burned through the center? If you now have a hole burned through the center of this 0.018" denim material there is something majorly wrong with your muzzle (sharp) and your lube :hmm: :idunno: .

Hello Clyde. The barrel has only had 15 shots thru it. The ball starts and rams easy and the gun shoots much better than I do. :grin: ................Chawbeef

Hi Zug. I am using "Moose snot" as a lube. I did change to an .018 patch and got the 1/2 inch hole. A cotton ball stuffed in the crowned and coned muzzle did not pick up on any burrs.
Since I have no one else around here with a front stuffer, I am not sure how much lube to use. :idunno: ..................Chawbeef

Holes sound like sharp rifling....

Regarding lube;
You want an even amount on the patch that has been worked in.....No buttering or just wiping it on. the lube must penetrate the fabric but not saturate it.

Give the gun a hundred rounds or so to wear the burrs off the sharp rifling land corners and your patch tearing will probably stop.
I've had new Green Mountain barrels do the same thing even after lapping one with 400grit but it stopped buggering patches after 50 shots or so.

I shot some olive oil patches left in a cap tin from last season the other day.

I noticed those patches were burnt around the edges with holes burnt in them.

I cut some new ones and lubed them with olive oil .... problem solved.

Most likely the OP barrel being new is the problem.

But old patching could be the culprit too.

I’ve seen some patches in stores that look like they have been there since back in the 70’s.

Chaw, I still don't see a reply to Clyde re how well the rifle is shooting. I am assuming Clyde is referring to accuracy, not does it go boom.

If as you say the rifle is capable of out shooting you, and you shoot well, then why do you care what the patches look like? If your rifle is on the other hand not producing good accurately, then by all means find out why. Now the patch can give you valuable information.

If accuracy is good then there's not much to worry about....Sharp rifling will smooth itself out.....
Burnt patches can be a problem...if the patch catches fire....We don't want to burn the woods down.

Old pre-lubed patches and even old cloth can yield under stress...

One more thing>>...Did you wash the sizing out of the fabric before use?

Good stuff Clyde!

Yup, I washed my denim and hung to dry. I have been "buttering" my patches so I will now work it in. Guess I should not worry too much cuz even with these old eyes looking thru bi focals I got 10 shots in a 4 1/2 inch group at 50 yards.
By working the lube into the patch material, will I get less fouling??..........Chawbeef

Chawbeef said:

Hi Zug. I am using "Moose snot" as a lube. I did change to an .018 patch and got the 1/2 inch hole. A cotton ball stuffed in the crowned and coned muzzle did not pick up on any burrs.
Since I have no one else around here with a front stuffer, I am not sure how much lube to use. :idunno: ..................Chawbeef

Click to expand...

I use just enough to fill the weave - only wiped on the side facing the rifling.

You say you only have 15 rounds through the rifle? Have patience. After 200 shots it should have settled in and any burrs or cutting sharp edges should be working in.