Poly-patch

04jeep · 04-05-2010, 06:41 PM

Any one use them ? how are they safe...?

lemoyne · 04-06-2010, 05:49 AM

They ruined a barrel for me. If thats the one used to supposedly hold a round ball they do not and they cause an obstructed barrel I ended up with a big not in the barrel of a very nice custom made Hawken when I tried them if it had been one of them low grade barrels it probably would have blown. Lee

arcticap · 04-13-2010, 11:55 PM

It sounds like it would be safer if an effective wad or a card was placed over the ball to hold it in place.
A long time ago I shot with someone who was using them and they worked. I'm not saying that they're safe without using something to hold the ball in place on top of it. If that can be worked out then it at least the Poly Patch isn't as much as a safety issue.
I don't recommend using them but firmly tamping a ball of newspaper down on top of it should hold it in place.
It's something to be aware of when loading any loose fitting projectiles or components into your bore.
The safety, performance and lack of knowing how to safely load them is probably why they were discontinued. If the Poly Patch is too loose then the shooter must insure that the ball is held in place in the breech after being loaded.
Transporting the gun with the muzzle in an upward position at all times would also help to keep the components from dangerously migrating up the bore.

Mr.Flintlock · 04-14-2010, 04:21 AM

In 1980 I built a CVA Big Bore Mt rifle and Poly-patches were all I used for years. With a 530 rb I always got a very tight fit. Accuracy was always good. While I never had a problem, I eventually changed over to Pillow ticking lubed with Crisco. I believe if the poly patch had been designed more like a modern sabot it would have been a better product.

arcticap · 04-14-2010, 07:20 PM

Hornady did turn it into a sabot that includes a .485 round ball with it which they call the "Hard Ball System".

http://www.hornady.com/store/50-Cal-...em-20-Per-Pkg/

Gm54-120 · 04-15-2010, 05:31 AM

I remember the poly patch way way way back when...Well it was probably in the early 1980s.

It did have some issues and i thought they took it off the market but i havent looked for them in years either.

The Hornady version is a bit different and uses harder lead if i remember correctly. Ive never compared them to the original.