AmericanLongRifles Forums
General discussion => Black Powder Shooting => Topic started by: Scota4570 on May 12, 2024, 07:26:43 AM
-
I normally shoot on a bench and out of a box. I do not often shoot trail walks. I did today. One awkward aspect was fishing for shooting patches. I had them in a heavy zip-top bag. I got tired of fumbling and had my son be the patch bearer.
I remembered those belt worn aluminum bait boxes. Although not traditional I am thinking it might work well.
Any thoughts or better ideas?
Thanks,
Scot
(https://i.ibb.co/f13kg13/bait-box5.jpg) (https://imgbb.com/)
-
Sucrets tin works great for precut patches.
-
Ted Cash pill box works well for me. Works on up to 50 cal. patches and I do carry them wet.
-
https://a.co/d/2eCcKxs
I use these from Amazon. Easy to use and fit in my bag.
Don
Click image to open expanded view
Gere 6 Pack Metal Rectangular Sliding Lid Tin Boxes Black, Containers Portable Box Small Storage Kit Home Organizer, Model 805015
(https://i.ibb.co/fpjx4Tk/IMG-2335.jpg) (https://ibb.co/pzYLJkf)
-
https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51gdEcoM54L._AC_SL1000_.jpg
Don
-
Don, those look super handy
-
These, from trackofthewolf as well as .22 and .25 pellet tins, work wonderfully.
(https://i.ibb.co/6gtxy8p/IMG-3243.jpg) (https://ibb.co/pJK81Qs)
(https://i.ibb.co/zVHs1gb/box-1790-b-1.jpg) (https://imgbb.com/)
(https://i.ibb.co/tCktx9z/snuff-box-s-1.jpg) (https://imgbb.com/)
(https://i.ibb.co/g42YkjW/tinder-box-b-1.jpg) (https://ibb.co/Bnpk0z6)
-
If you still have your March 2024 issue of Muzzle Blasts read my article on "How do you carry your patches"? I also dealt with the same issue and finally came up with this leather strap the works equally good on wet or greased patches.
(https://i.ibb.co/3rb9CyX/Patch-holder-1.jpg) (https://ibb.co/K0gprjZ)
(https://i.ibb.co/8NQqjtp/patch-holder-2.jpg) (https://ibb.co/YPVmtwM)
(https://i.ibb.co/ZSHZNqf/patch-holder-3.jpg) (https://ibb.co/0KBwQHn)
-
Since a trail walk shoot is an occasional event you could do as I did when I shot one. That was to use a needle and thread and run the needle and thread through the middle of your patches and tie the end to your bag. Remove the needle and put a small knot in the end so that the patches will not fall off. Wet the patches before the shoot and pull off the patch you need. Carry a zip bag for the used patches. When the shoot is over remove the patches and string from your bag. Or just do as suggested by others get yourself a small container and put your patches in there.
Cary a small plastic squeeze bottle with water in it and apply when needed - it sure will be smaller than that bait box - save that bait box for worms and trout fishing ;).
-
I bet an empty snoose can would work good, though I quit chew back in 1986 and don't have any cans around and couldn't afford it even if I was inclined.
-
Thanks for the interest and ideas.
I do not want to rummage through the bag for a can, open the can, take out a patch, close the lid, put it away, then load. That is a lot of steps. I like the idea to put them on a thread. Unfortunately out here the humidity is very low compared to where most of you are in the east. Patches left in the open dry out quickly. I bet that would work great for a greased patch.
The worm box may be a first step in an evolution of something I wear or carry outside the bag to keep wet patches in. I'll have to see how it evolves.
-
Carry the patches in ur mouth. Spit works fine.
-
Carry the patches in ur mouth. Spit works fine.
I've done that with precuts as well as a strip of material.
-
If you keep your bag contents to a bare minimum, ie., balls, spare flints, a few tools, the tin with wet patches is not a difficult step. In fact, the tin is easily recognized by touch, withdrawn, patched removed, tin returned and Bobs your uncle. Patches stay moist. I've done the patches on a string and they do dry out. Good luck.
Doug T.
-
Maybe try some different patches for a trail walk.
-
I use Sucrets tins. I throw them in a fire, burn off all the graphics and then I peen the top with a small ball peen hammer.
I don't always carry precuts but when I do this is what I use.
(https://i.ibb.co/3pg3yS9/0514240636.jpg) (https://ibb.co/CbRc5V3)
-
Chewing on a few in your mouth is one way if you go the spit route. Tastes funky though.
I usually use light oil (neatsfoot) but not drenched, just light oil. Or sometimes an oil/beeswax mix if that's all i've got on hand. Most shot bags are leather which likes oil as opposed to drying out. And most of my shot bags have a small inside pocket. So I just stick them in there loose. Reach in and grab one. Done.
The leather strip with the slots up above is REALLY cool! Very smart idea.
-
With my moose milk patches swabbing is not necessary. I have not had oil or grease patches do that for me. More experimentation is obviously necessary.
As for handling lead balls and spit patches, no thanks. I am absolutely not a "safety bedwetter". However handling lead balls then, patches, then putting the patches in my mouth is a step to far for me. The lead oxide that gets on your fingers is readily absorbed into your body.
-
Are u kiddin? Youre shooting black powder. Youre handling lead balls all the time.
-
If you're on a woodswalk why not carry a ball block or two, it's what I do. I get everything ready the night before. The patches are already lubed and the balls are with it ready to go.
-
Not Kidding. I am far from a safety bed wetter.
After 31 years as a forensic scientist specializing in firearms matters and hazardous materials, I do know a thing or two about lead dangers. The health risk of lead are over blown IMHO. I little common sense goes a long way with avoiding lead poisoning. I handle lots of lead. However I do not put my fingers in my mouth while doing so. I wash my hands after I handle lead. That is all, easy.
-
FWIW I string 10 at a time on pieces of yarn. There’s a 2” loop on one end to about 12” of yard. Last woodswalk I prepped 30 square-cut patches and each got ‘3 dots’ of my favorite liquid lube, rubbed in, then 3 strings (30 patches total) placed into a non-period correct ZipLok bag.
I’ll loop one string on my bag iron loop where the strap & bag meet. Whilst others shooting shot #10, I’ll pull out the next string - works for me!
BTW, I have MZL’s from 40 to 77-caliber (one a 60” barreled 75-cal) w/ at least 1 of every caliber in-between (less the French 69) and I can load & shoot all of them ALL DAY long without swabbing - ever, between shots - whilst using Hoppe’s Black Powder Cleaner/Patch Lube as my ‘warm’ weather patch lube. Accuracy is excellent!
[I expressly use Track of the Wolf’s mink oil paste tub lube for my hunting loads in cold weather/below freezing, etc.
-
Well rendered Beef kidney fat tallow and a blow tube. Shot 24 rounds yesterday no wiping, no issues. But it was fairly cold and it snowed some. The tie breaker was 1/“ too far out so I took second. Not a big crown. Some were off to Wildhorse Rendezvous. At least it did not rain.