Do you enjoy paper patching?

[jpuke]

I know the question sounds a bit like heresy, but do any of you ENJOY paper patching?  I ask because it's that time of year again when I make my deer loads and while doing so yesterday I realized that I don't really like patching the bullets.  I shoot a patched RCBS 405 grain bullet cast of almost pure lead out of a Ruger No.1 in 45-70.  While I don't enjoy the work I can't argue with the results.  Both deer that I shot last year ran short distances but bled out almost entirely.  My own penetration/expansion tests are phenomenal and confirm the lethality of the projectile - it just feels more like a chore than a joy to get the loads made up.  Am I alone in feeling this way?

[Reverend Recoil]

It’s a chore that has to be done.  I am getting faster at it but I rarely roll more than fifty bullets at a sitting.  It could be worse.  I can't imagine spending all day every day rolling thousands of bullets in a hot/cold, stuffy 19th century arsenal as those young ladies did.

[Nobade]

Yes, I enjoy rolling patches because I know what doing that allows me to do. That is, shoot cast bullets at full speeds with good accuracy. It's not something I would like to do for anyone else or as a job though! I figure it falls into the same category as all other casting and loading chores - by itself it's not all that great, but I get to shoot later so it's fun.

I feel the same way about work when I am doing production machine work. Making lots of little things for days on end isn't in itself all that wonderful, but I know I get to sell them later and make money so it's OK. Doing that as a job for someone else would not be too fun though.

[John Boy]

JP, one of my reloading times was this summer, on the back porch in the sun, at the table rolling my fingers off and sipping iced tea.
I don't do PP's that often but have 300 rolled and sized in the styrofoam trays.  I have to admit, PP's and me are not the best of friends.  I've shot over 200 or so loads and the groups are not what I get shooting GG's out to 1000yds.

A fellow BPCR shooter that is very proficient with them in his 45-110 took plight to my deficiency and has invited me to spends some days on his 1000yd range with his reloads.  So, will be hopping on a plane and going to school on him.  This is not to say I don't know the ins and outs reloading paper ones, but what ever is the reason ... they don't group like my GG's

My mold is a Fred Leeth, custom adjustable 446 original Sharps design and I wrap with 9# 100% cotton tracing paper

[RMulhern]

If you wanna dance....you have to pay the fiddler!!

[ihookem]

I'd love doing it but I can't get the accuracy I want. Six inches at 50 yds so far. I think the patch was coming off too soon. I will try a bit of Lee alox on the bullet to hold the paper, if that makes sense.

[Swampman]

I wish I could get some one on one instruction.

[RMulhern]

I'd love doing it but I can't get the accuracy I want. Six inches at 50 yds so far. I think the patch was coming off too soon. I will try a bit of Lee alox on the bullet to hold the paper, if that makes sense.

What rifle are you using, bullet type/weight/powder/caliber?? This is what PP will do from a M1874 Shiloh Sharps in 45 2 7/8 from 800 yards shooting aperture sights. The white plate is 20" diameter. And NO...you don't want Lee alox on your bullet!!


45800tgt by Sharps45 2 7/8, on Flickr

[Nobade]

I wish I could get some one on one instruction.

That may be available depending on where you live. Not many folks are playing with PP, but the number is increasing all along. If you want to work with PP and black powder, there are several good books available, I like the one Bill Ferguson is selling. There are also several forums available to learn on. For PP and smokeless, there is only one forum and no books. It all depends on what you want to do and learn. The techniques are completely different, other than wrapping paper around cast bullets.