BigLead - because many of us, some who have responded thus far to your query, use a snug ball and patch combination and NEVER have to wipe the bore while at the range shooting, or when
hunting. After a shot, the next powder charge is dumped into the bore. The patched ball is then shoved down on top of the powder. The fouling from the previous shot is pushed down on top of
the fresh powder charge and is subsequently discharged out the muzzle with the ball. The next powder charge is dumped into the bore, filling the powder chamber and rear of the bore, just above
the patent breech. Then the next patched ball is shoved down onto that powder charge, wiping down with it, all the fouling from the previous shot. That fouling along with the patched ball are
discharged the bore.
Each time you load, you are cleaning the fouling from the last shot, as you load the rifle. If fouling is building up in your bore and loading becomes difficult, you patch is too thin, not enough lube, or
the ball is too small for that patch material.
I have found that a ball .005" smaller than the bore shoots well with .022" patch in literally ALL rifles I have tested, since 1972 - that is a LOT of different rifles, mine and other people's, along with
dozens of the rifles that Taylor has built. They all respond to that combination forumula.
These rifles include commercial and custom. I have also found, that those with shallow and/or button rifled barrels, like TC's and some others, shoot just about as well, with a ball a full .010"
smaller than the bore and the same .022" patch. .022"denim is easily found as from yard-goods (sewing centres) like Joianne's Walmart or other places that stock denim by the weight - ie:
8, 10, 11, 12 & even 14 ounce.
I measure the 8 ounce as barely making .020", while the 10 ounce I get runs .0220 to .0225". 12 runs .029 with my new calipers, while 14 ounce is .034".
I am currently experimenting with a fairly tin canvas that is also .022". It is very hard weave, but soft after washing. It is more difficult to compress in the bore than the 10 ounce denim
but shoots about identically.