Paper for Patching

[DirtySteve]

I was wondering what paper you all use for patching..?

I have used Seth Cole #55, #56 and #57..

#55 rips to shreds for the most part.. But have settled for using #57. I is thicker than the 55 and tough.. When fired the outer layer shreds and the inner wrap comes off in a big piece right out of the muzzle..

Dirty Steve...

[Don McDowell]

I use the 55w in some rifles, but have mostly went to the 55y.
Ideally you don't want to find any pieces of paper, just small chunks of confetti and paper dust.

[Kenny Wasserburger]

I was wondering what paper you all use for patching..?

I have used Seth Cole #55, #56 and #57..

#55 rips to shreds for the most part.. But have settled for using #57. I is thicker than the 55 and tough.. When fired the outer layer shreds and the inner wrap comes off in a big piece right out of the muzzle..

Dirty Steve...

Consider the fact that your bullet did not fully upset to the groove depth. A big wrap is the indication. Accuracy at say a 1000 yards might be less than optimal.

KW

The fatter the bullet the thinner the paper, has proven the most accurate in my Shilohs.

[Distant Thunder]

Well, someone has to go against the current!

I have used my 9# 100% cotton onionskin for years with some success. It will add .007" to the bullet and my molds are cut with that in mind.

I personally have trouble wrapping with 55Y, my fingers just can't work with that really thin stuff. and I've had trouble when chambering rounds with the paper folding back. I can wrap with 55W if I use some care, but that's about my limit.

[Kenny Wasserburger]

Lol Jim to you have big wraps of paper at the muzzle after firing?

KennyWasserburger

[Distant Thunder]

Kenny,

I have to say I don't pay a lot of attention to my confetti. It looks pretty good to me and it's never very far from the muzzle. I dry patch so there is no reason for the patch to "hang up".

My Hepburn .45-70 shoots very well for me, especially the last 4 years since I quit fussing with my loads. I have spent more time working on me and keeping my head in the game when I'm shooting. That and fouling control are the last pieces of the puzzle I have worked hard at.

My new .44-77 is still unproven beyond 600 yards, but it is shooting very well. With the scope on that rifle I feel more in control of the shot placement than with any other rifle. I've got a ways to go before I can call it a success but is looking damn good from here.

My .40-65 has proven itself to be very accurate out to 600 and a real winner at silhouette.

All three of those rifles use the same 9# onionskin paper which measures about .002". I bought a lifetime supply years ago and I can't afford to waste it.

The .40-65 and .45-70 use bullets I designed and made the molds for and they fit the rifles very well. The .44-77 uses two BACO molds, one is a 2-D elliptical bullet and the other is a bore diameter Metford style bullet that I opened up a bit to better fit my bore. Again there is a lot of work to do on this one but it has actually been the easiest one to get shooting well. The learning curve for a bottleneck was greatly shorten by the help of other who took this cartridge on before me. Don and Kurt most notably. I also paid close attention to what Chip Mate and Nick Naul wrote about the .44-77. It's been a fun ride so far.

I have worked with the 55W and 55Y in other rifles and cartridges and the 55W worked well and I had no trouble wrapping it. The 55Y I personally have had lots of troubles with. My old arthritic fingers can't deal with something I can't feel and I've had trouble chambering with it, the paper will fold back and ruin the patch. Probably my poor wrapping job. Bullets wrap with both have shot well.

[Don McDowell]

You know Jim , I think that's the great thing about shooting, and not just these cranky ol pumpkin rollers. Everybody that interested enough to mess with them, finds what works and what doesn't for them.

I also think that the least useful part of the internet is the ability for folks with zero to extremely little experience to come on and argue points they have no clue about with someone they have decided they don't like.
The best part of the internet is the ability for discerning readers is to be able to sort the wheat from the chaf.
This last part is exactly why this forum is here, good people reporting what works for them, and doing so civil, and I thank you , Kenny and others for sharing the knowledge.

[Distant Thunder]

The civil discussions on this forum are the main draw for me and I believe it is important that they are maintained. I have learned to walk away from pissing contests and I enjoy having dry boots! I am pleased that you were able to work your way through the recent problems with this site and to see it beginning to come back to normal.

Change is not always easy or even good, but it is inevitable. Surviving it is the main goal. Well done!

[Don McDowell]

Thanks Jim. I am hopeful Marcus can get back to spending every available spare minute he has to get this thing truly back to where it was, with a few improvements. But with life going on away from the internet and he has grand baby #1 about to arrive on scene it may be awhile. But that's ok.

[Distant Thunder]

Yes, grand babies can take priority! Congrats to Marcus. I remember how it was to hold my first born child (my son) and also my first born grand baby, she turned 10 yesterday and is just as sweet today as she was on day one! Special times indeed.