.54 to .75 smoothbores get 2-1/4" to 2-1/2" patches.  Patch thickness needs to be whatever allows a "snug" fit so that it will apply a "scrubbing effect", even when wet with water or Ballistol or WD40.  Patching that appears too tight and are of a goodly size can be placed off center on the muzzle to make them easier to push down/out.

Bbls that don't seem to want to come "clean" (light grayish look), or have leading that doesn't seem to wanna come off, can benefit from the Lee Shaver bbl cleaning treatment of making up a special patch by unrolling and cutting off a width of 0000 steel wool, place over a patch, saturate with oil, push down steel wool forward, and pull out.  The overall thickness of this cleaning patch must yield a more than snug fit that will initially require some serious effort to push down past the muzzle (but will go down easier after that).  It helps heaps to use a brass rod.  Extract the cleaning patch and throw away, make another one,  After using up an entire steel wool pad, yer done.  Not only will the bore come clean it will be lapped it at the same time.  Lee has done this process to brand new bbls and without even shooting the gun in practice has won matches (well, it helps to have a world class shooter eye and trigger finger, tool!).  I've done the Lee bbl cleaning to more than a few old and new guns and he's spot on with the results.

That looks like an outstanding presentation and display.  WOW!!!  And great photos of it as well.
That presentation appears to have happened in a school gymnasium?
Interesting.
Bob Twyman and I used to do a similar presentation for the 4th grade history class at the Post Falls school.
We even took the class outside and fired off a few blank loads for them.  No problem.
That went on for several years until they asked us to NOT include any firearms in our presentation.
Well, the westward expansion would not have happened without firearms of the time.
We waved bye-bye and never came back.
The same thing happened some time later when the CdA M/L group was asked to do a display at the college in town.  But, again, no actual firearms.  Just photos. We declined the invitation.  I think that was some time in the 90's.  The heck with that P/C stupidity.
John

Several days ago, I made a post concerning getting the barrel dry after cleaning. I mentioned the size of my cleaning patches. I'm not suggesting the patch size I use is right  wrong or otherwise. But I would have liked to hear what size patches others use. I recently read about another individual who was using 1" patches in his  .32, and 2" in all other calibers. Just was wondering if I've finally flipped my lid, or are those that agree that patches most often used may be on the small size.

Happy Birthday, Rusty!!

Happy Birthday