square vs. round patch

[spitpatch]

Anybody have any thoughts? I cut my own patches for my .32 and cut them square. is one better than the other?

[Shorty]

Spitpatch,
I cut mine square.  It's easier.  After seating at the muzzle with a short starter, I trim them with a patch knife; makes them round. :roll:   That eliminates a pile of fabric on top of the ball which makes ramming harder.
That's assuming a tight patch.  A loose patch wouldn't need to be trimmed.

[spitpatch]

Shorty, it seems like there are those in full agreement with you on trimming at the muzzle. might hafta' start doing it. They actually make a knife specially for cutting patches?

[jgalar]

I cut the patches for my 32 either in squares or in strips which I cut off at the barrel.

I tried some American Pioneer in my 32. The first patched ball or two I just used spit patches after that I just used the patches dry. I would guess that I shot about 30 shots without any cleaning or loss in accuracy. I have a new powder for my 32.

[Slamfire]

Shorty, it seems like there are those in full agreement with you on trimming at the muzzle. might hafta' start doing it. They actually make a knife specially for cutting patches?

Yes the make knives with a blade just like a straight razor, but why spend the extra money, just pick up a straight razor at a flea market or garage sale.  :wink:

[sharps4590]

I've cut patches at the muzzle since I started shooting muzzleloaders near 30 years ago.  I buy a Case kitchen paring knife, knock off the wooden scales, file the tang sharp, boil a deer antler about 45 minutes and drive it onto the tang.  I have poured babbit around the blade and shaped it to match the antler to give it a more finished look but some of my patch knives have that and some don't.  Makes for a personal and kind of a neat looking patch knife.

Vic

[Birddog6]

I have shot square patches for 30+ years.  I have tried round ones, cutting at the muzzle, etc., makes no dif in my shooting. For a true marksman in competition it may make a dif., but for me I see no dif. If I can shoot a 1 - 1 1/2" group off the bench at my age & eyesight I am as pleased as punch !  ha ha !

I cut my patches with a rotary cutter & can cut about 3500 patches for the .54 cal in about 15 minutes. Actually takes as long to set up than to cut patches.  About 10,000 patches for the 40 cal. in the same amount of time.  In an hour you can cut more patches than you will shoot in 2-3 years, using a rotary cutter, cutting mat & guide.
 :-)