Patches

[Gambia]

I have been cutting them on a drill press for years,get a cheap holesaw grind the teeth off and sharpen it,back the drill bit up so it doesn't cut a hole in the fabric.Take a piece of thin plywood  and drill a hole in it the same size as the hole saw clamp the fabric between the plywood and another board on the table, line up the hole saw with the hole in the plywood and drill away.Its takes a lot longer to descibe than to knock out a thousand patches.Then I discovered the wife's cutting board and rotary cutter so I cut square patches a lot easier.I can't see any difference in shooting results.You might want to buy an extra blade or two for the cutter so you don't upset the wife when she finds she has a dull cutter.

[Hank in WV]

I agree with Charlie. I switched from cutting round patches to square about 4yrs ago. For me it seems to be a lot faster and easier. I'm also often backwards from the rest of the world.

[Groundhog]

I can still count to ten ... lol

[Stormrider51]

No offense, but would somebody please explain to me the advantage of pre-cut patches?  The closest I've ever come to using something like that was when I'd fill a loading block.  Otherwise I just short-start and cut at the muzzle to get a perfectly centered patch every time.  A strip of patch material tied to a leather whang on the front of my shooting bag does the trick.  Again, I'm not trying to cause offense.  I'm just trying to see the great advantage.

Storm

[Hank in WV]

Not sure there is any advantage to pre-cut but I like to pre-lube. I carry them in a little tin in my shootin bag.

[Hank in WV]

Not sure there is any advantage to pre-cut but I like to pre-lube. I carry them in a little tin in my shootin bag.
Welcome to the forum.

[Francois]

100% pure cotton works for me. It doesnt tear or burst at all, not even a scratch.

[melsdad]

Not sure there is any advantage to pre-cut but I like to pre-lube. I carry them in a little tin in my shootin bag.
Welcome to the forum.

I do the same as Hank.


I gave Griz his patch cutters this weekend. Once I find out how they work, if anyone wants any I will be glad to make them in what ever sizes you need.

[Wyoming Mike]

I have never seen any difference between round or square patching as far as shooting goes.  I use a sharpened hole saw and drill press to make round patches.  As Charlie said, it takes no time at all to do a 1000 patches.   I did the round patches because I can seem to cut a straight line with scissors.  BTW trapezoidal patches work fine too.  

[Chairslayer]

Don't cut the pillow ticking, tear it along the blue lines. When you attach it to your strap all you have to do cut a 'buttonhole' in the end and thread it back through. Save the strings that come off when you tear the strips and char them, they make great fire starting material.

[Dragoon]

I watched the use of several variations on this during the weekend. First, I saw someone using the "cut and spit" method, cutting off a small 1-1.25 inch square of material and wetting it in their mouth. Seemed to work (not round).

The other was round spit patching (unlubed manufactured patches were used)

Then there were the round manufactured ones that had moose milk on them.

So, round or square?

[BEAVERMAN]

Both will work, depends on you and your saliva output, you know what I like to use.

[melsdad]

Here are what the patch cutters look like. They are made of A2 tool steel hardened to 59 Rc. The ends are drawn to 48 Rc. to prevent chipping if a metal hammer is used. One is 1.0625" diameter, the other is 1.250"diameter.

Tim should be trying these soon, the idea is to cut through multiple layers of ticking to produce patches quickly.

 

[Mike 56]

I tried pillow ticking but found it was to thick for my rifle right now i am using cotton flannel from a old nightgown it's just right for my rifle. Try different things until you find what your rifle likes. For lube i have had the best luck with Windex or spit. I just cut my patches with a rotary cutter and quilt cutting Board also. I just cut them square i get the same accuracy as cutting them muzzle. My two cents.

Mike