I’m hunting with a 50. Cal Thompson Center New Englander this year was going to use .495 balls with .018 patches do you think that’s a good match
50. Cal Thompson Center
- Thread starter walker worley
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Yes, definitely. I use .018 canvas duck from Walmart for my patch material. You should shoot a few shots with your rifle/load and make sure it will do what you expect.
Armored farmer
Member
That sounds a little tight to me, but if it works, it works.
Use some lube on that patch. I like Hoppes bp lube.
Use some lube on that patch. I like Hoppes bp lube.
Forgot to mention I use a drop or two of Pinesol on my patch. Most of my 50s like around 65 grains of powder for accuracy, around 80 for max accurate load. You'll need to work up the load that your rifle likes with that patch and ball combo.
ThomasT
Member
I went shooting a couple of weeks ago and using my TC Renegade and pillow ticking that measures around .018-.020 I was having some trouble getting the ball down the bore. I bought some material labeled "Linen" at WM that measures .012 and found some pant legs I had cut off for making sand bags that measure .015 and I intend to give those a try. The pant leg material is some tough stuff. I have hi hopes for it.
My wife says it is "pillow cotton". I asked you mean pillow ticking and she said no. She will show me next time I go with her to WM. This is tightly woven stuff that I bet works great. But I won't know till I set fire under it.
My wife says it is "pillow cotton". I asked you mean pillow ticking and she said no. She will show me next time I go with her to WM. This is tightly woven stuff that I bet works great. But I won't know till I set fire under it.
Mowgli Terry
Member
I used the exact same rifle, the .50 caliber New Englander, in local matches for several years. The New Englander did very well with 70gr. of FFg. Goex and .495 ball. I used Wally World pillow ticking for patches. The lube was 50/50 water and Balistol. Shot the rifle bunches and no problems of any kind. Loading balls and larger than .495 is a real bear. Incidentally, wash the pillow ticking before use. Cheap by the yard. Best wishes and good luck.
Just a thought on patch material, make sure it is not a cotton/synthetic blend such as cotton rayon or nylon. That stuff will leave a mess behind that can be a real pain to clean.
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