Loading a 36 cal T/C Patriot Pistol

[Smokepole Hunter]

I recently purchased a 36 caliber Patriot single shot pistol. The bore diameter measures .355", and the balls I found were .350". I have some old .018" lubricated patches which of course make for an interference fit in the bore. Do any of you have a recommendation for ball diameter or patch thickness? I am only interested in target shooting, but I don't want to operate in an unsafe manner, and I certainly don't want to harm my barrel. Any thoughts? Thanks

 

[arcticap]

IronHand posted:
"My patriot pistol is in 36 cal but I can tell you that it likes a thin oiled patch and light loads."

Because the Patriot is known to have a delicate stock susceptible to cracking, a .010 or .015 patch would be more appropriate with a .350 ball.
There shouldn't be a need to use such a tight fitting .018 patch unless the thinner patches are loose or don't work out.

Here's a Patriot loading guide: --->>> http://www.tiropratico.com/manuali-pdf/T/Thompson-Center_Patriot_Supplement.pdf

 

[Malachi Leviticus Blue]

Because the Patriot is known to have a delicate stock susceptible to cracking...

And because of this my advice is to NOT use a loading stand.
Plenty of Patriots have been cracked while being loaded on a stand.

I'm not sure if there is a loading stand out there that is reasonably safe to use that takes into account the delicate Patriot stock or not.

FYI, a .36 cal Patriot has a bit of a collector appeal, so if you ever decide you would rather have something else it shouldn't be hard at all to liquidate or trade in the right market if it is in nice shape.

 

[Smokepole Hunter]

Thanks for your responses. I just ordered the needed accessories and hopefully will be shooting in a couple weeks.

 

[whughett]

FYI. I load and shoot the same pistol in 45 Caliber. No stand and I use cotton tee shirt material as a patch. I cut two inch wide strips perhaps 10 to 12 inches long lubricated with a Crisco/bees wax. Rolled the ball is shot started and a patch knife used to cut the patch at the muzzle. Use to buy the pre-lubed round patches but being a bit frugal found the cotton strips perform just as well.

 

[243winxb]

The first ball will load easier then the next. Dirty barrel. A patch/ball that is hard to load will get deformed . Round balls are more accurate then flat sider ones.