ORIGINAL: racks-n-beards
What size round cleaning patch is most efficient for .50 cal barrels?
2-1/2" unless the store is selling the 3" for the same price.
2-1/2sare tough to find in stores -- round ones even tougher. Isometimesbuy the square 2-1/2"s online. Otherwise, I'm finding square 3" or similar that are used for 12-16 gauge shotgun bores.
I tried the 2" once. They are a tad too small to do a proper cleaning job for 50-cal rifles. They are better served for 45-cals. The most imprortant matter with patches is getting the all-cotton ones. I hate the poly-patches. They sometimes don't want to come back up after reaching the breech.
I got about 250 of those left that I strictly use for wiping the ML exterior now.
I think these below are my Best Buy right now for a throw-away patch. You get 300 that are 3" for $4.72. If you have a Meijer store near you, they sell these.
http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item.asp?sku=000601205S