If that patch thickness is working, be happy.
Most of us find that Thompson Center Hawkens like very tight patch/ball combinations. Especially if the powder load is heavy, say 80 grains and up.
As for loading and ramming the patched ball, yes, with the round spherical "starter" ball against the top of the ball, it takes a whack on the "starter" to get the load to start in the muzzle.
I rotate the starter to get a very short dowel that is installed in it to push the patched ball maybe 1/4" down into the barrel.
Rotating the starter so a 2 1/2"-3" length dowel sticking out is pushing against the patched ball, another hard push is needed to get the ball down against the muzzle.
After the patched ball is down this far, it has deformed and the patch has compressed enough so pushing it the rest of the way down to the powder load is relatively easy using just the ramrod. Maybe it takes 3-5 pounds of force.
Speaking of ramrods, take a good hard look at the one that came with your rifle.
If the wood grain looks like that in this sketch, beware!
The "breakout" of the grain indicates it is traveling at an angle to the rod and it can shear along that grain.
If it does it will produce a razor sharp edge that can easily go thru your hand.
There are metal or good hickory ramrods available that have been made by splitting the wood.
These won't shear off like ramrods with grain runout.