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Odd patch problem

Charlie-NY

I used up the last of my 22cal patches on my 22 Creed rifle. They were square if that matters. I ordered 1,000 new patches that are Seal 1 brand round patches. The patches are so tight on my BoreTech jag that they couldn't even be forced into the bore. Hmmmmm

I measured the patch thickness and got .0175". I looked through all of my supplies and found a few old 22cal patches that fit fine. They measured @ .014". Is there a way to pre-determine the patch thickness when I order the next 1,000? Any suggestions on patches?

What a ridiculous problem?
 
Still using up the bundles of patches left over from days of yore. I got these in fairly large quantity from the good folks at Hart's in PA when they still sold everything a shooter could want. They're cotton flannel, soft on one side & all are .015" thick. Some more commonly used sizes were dwindling a few years back so I got a couple thousand bargain brand from ... somewhere... & they were .020". Off center works OK sometimes, but these were just too thick. They sit in the land of misfit toys until maybe I get something in 8mm.

So far "Pro-Shot" patches all seem to be c .015" thick, so they get my $$.
 
This is an issue I have encountered several times throughout my shooting life compounded by lack of uniformity in the patch material, brands coming and going, brands changing their product without notice, supply chain issues, etc.

Just to clarify, I am speaking about cotton flannel patches only which are the ones I believe do the best job for me.

I finally solved this problem once and for all by modifying the jags. This is easy to do with Dewey brass or aluminum jags. Simply chuck them into a drill, mount the drill in a vice, and polish the jag with fine grit emery cloth. Go slowly, check with micrometer until you get the diameter you desire. I have a range of different diameter jags to accommodate any patch brand.

I am currently using Pro-shot patches which I am totally satisfied with. With theses, I can use a standard jag. But if for some reason they disappear or change, I can adapt to another brand cotton flannel patch simply by changing jags.
 
K22 said:
This is an issue I have encountered several times throughout my shooting life compounded by lack of uniformity in the patch material, brands coming and going, brands changing their product without notice, supply chain issues, etc.

Just to clarify, I am speaking about cotton flannel patches only which are the ones I believe do the best job for me.

I finally solved this problem once and for all by modifying the jags. This is easy to do with Dewey brass or aluminum jags. Simply chuck them into a drill, mount the drill in a vice, and polish the jag with fine grit emery cloth. Go slowly, check with micrometer until you get the diameter you desire. I have a range of different diameter jags to accommodate any patch brand.

I am currently using Pro-shot patches which I am totally satisfied with. With theses, I can use a standard jag. But if for some reason they disappear or change, I can adapt to another brand cotton flannel patch simply by changing jags.
Click to expand...
THIS! ^^^^ Overthinking the problem, folks.
 
SSL said:
THIS! ^^^^ Overthinking the problem, folks.
Click to expand...
If it seems like overthinking, that's possibly because you have never had an innocent situation go ugly.
I once had a super tight patch get stuck in the breechplug area of an inline muzzleloader. I still have nightmares about the experience!
 
Jonnyofalltrades said:
If it seems like overthinking, that's possibly because you have never had an innocent situation go ugly.
I once had a super tight patch get stuck in the breechplug area of an inline muzzleloader. I still have nightmares about the experience!
Click to expand...
Not disputing that it can be a problem, just the extent people go to to solve it. As @K22 posted, just turn a dedicated jag to a smaller diameter and use it rather than testing a dozen different patch manufacturers to find that ideal size. Jags are cheap and solve the problem.
And yes, I have stuck a patch in a muzzleloader - a traditional Hawken style. Had to remove the plug to get it out. Taught me to pay attention.
 
SSL said:
THIS! ^^^^ Overthinking the problem, folks.
Click to expand...
Not offended by the comment. Just trying to share my experience in dealing with this problem. I had brand of cotton flannel patches for a 224 caliber that just would not pass through the bore without excessive force.

That really was a problem because I had purchased a bulk pack (1,000) of patches, and I live on a fixed income.

Consequently, I thought about it. Cutting them was too labor intensive. :rolleyes: After the thinking about it, I modified the jag and was able to use the patches. :) If I hadn't thought about it, I would have had to trash the patches. ;) Or get carpet tunnel syndrome from cutting a thousand patches so I think (excuse the pun) thinking about it was worth it. :oops:
 
Sometime the patch reaches the larger part of the jag and then it won't go in. Check on that
 
K22 said:
Not offended by the comment. Just trying to share my experience in dealing with this problem. I had brand of cotton flannel patches for a 224 caliber that just would not pass through the bore without excessive force.

That really was a problem because I had purchased a bulk pack (1,000) of patches, and I live on a fixed income.

Consequently, I thought about it. Cutting them was too labor intensive. :rolleyes: After the thinking about it, I modified the jag and was able to use the patches. :) If I hadn't thought about it, I would have had to trash the patches. ;) Or get carpet tunnel syndrome from cutting a thousand patches so I think (excuse the pun) thinking about it was worth it. :oops:
Click to expand...
Not sure how it was misconstrued, but I was agreeing with your solution, not criticizing you.
 
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SSL said:
Not sure how it was miss-construed, but I was agreeing with your solution, not criticizing you.
Click to expand...
No problem - old brain syndrome. I do not take this stuff too serious. It's recreational. Take care and good shooting.
 
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I buy multiple brands and material patches of sizes from 22 cal to 35 cal. If they don't fit I cut them to fit. It suits me fine, others may disagree and that's just fine. I also use a little piece of dryer sheet that I'll use as a backer if I want a little tighter fit.
 
Charlie-NY said:
That might be an option. I've got a skinny 17 but no 20cal. However, I'd rather just find a good patch and use the 22 jag. I'm just amazed that a patch sold for 22cal would not enter the throat of my 22 Creed.
Click to expand...

I've chucked a jag in a drill and sanded the diameter down a bit to work with a given brand of patch. Kind of extreme, but it works.
 
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