Patch Thickness

[BeeMan]

Recently, I have decided to return to traditional muzzle loading.  I have a .45 cal TC Hawken that I havent shot in years.  I used to be able to shoot patched roundballs fairly well with the gun, but I was out of suitable patches.  Years ago, when I got bought it, I used to buy the precut white TC unlubed patches.  Does anyone know what the thickness was on those?  I am thinking they used to be .015.  Pillow ticking (.018) seems to be a tighter fit than what those old patches were.  Thanks!

[roundball]

The patches normally marketed under TC's name are .015" and .018".

I use a variety of TC Hawkens and both patch thicknesses work well, however, the tighter fitting .018" prelubed pillow ticking gives me a better seal, a better grip in the grooves, a slight edge in accuracy with a tighter group, so they're what I've settled on for all my TC barrels / calibers, use a short starter with them, etc.

[Slamfire]

Measure the depth of the riflin' and the size of the ball. Figure the differencebetween the ball and bore, then add the depth of the riflin'. Choose the thickness of patch material that is twice the result, cause you have to fill the riflin' on both sides of the ball. Of course you can use the more common method of tryin' different patch thicknesses until you find the one your rifle likes best.