Here is another question related to grouping problems with my Hawkens.

I am shooting:
.50 cal InvestArms Hawkens, 1:48 twist, bore 0.526"
0.020" patch, 0.490" Rem. premier golden lead ball, 80 grains pyrodex

After taking a shot, I have found that my shooting patch has a hole blown through the middle of it and I am wondering what the cause could be. I have a muzzleloader book that says that this is a "big problem", then follows with "it is up to the shooter to determine the problem" (not much help!).

Can anyone tell me what the causes of ahole blown through a patch, and suggestions about what the problem could be? Under ideal conditions, should the fired patch be intact (no holes in it)?

Thanks,
Rick C.

Normally if you find a shredded patch or blown patch I suggest going to a thicker patch. This is not the case with you. It sounds like you have a ruff bore. The bore is engaging the patch on the way out and as it spins tearing it apart.

First thing I would try is putting a wonderwad under the patch between the powder and the patch and ball and see if the patch comes out perfect. I have shot patches and could have and have reused them they were in that pristine condition. This is normally only possible when you use a bore button.

If that does not help and the patches are still being blown, then I would get some J-B Bore Paste and a piece of Scotch Brite Pad and shine the ruff spots out of the bore. This is not lapping mine you, this is just taking the ruffspots out of the bore.

I should ask, is the accuracy good? If it is, then don't worry about it unless that really bothers you. Also is the rifle new? Many times, new rifles are ruff in the bore and over time and lots of shooting will smooth themselves out and that problem will disappear.

cayugad,
The accuracy is not good, grouping is also not very good (see my previous posts). The gun is over 15 years old andwell used. Thanks for your suggestions, I will try this and see what happens. By the way, can you tell me who would sellwonderwad? I have not been able to find any on the internet web stores.

-Rick C.

If a hole is blown through the middle of a patch, which is the center sitting directly overpowder,it sounds to me like the fire is burning through it...makes me first question the type and/or amount of lube.

So simple Test#1 is to heavily lube the patches with something like Natural Lube 1000 and see if they stop burning through;

If they still burn through, thensimple Test#2is to first seat a set of two spare patches together down on the powder first as a firewall...then seat your patched ball normally.

One or the other of these remedies should solve the problem.

What are you using for patch material? Could be the cloth as well. Does it look burned or shreded?

http://www.rmcsports.com/catalog.htm RMC Sports sell them as do a number of other companies. I get them from RMC because they are lubed with Bore Butter and not over lubed. I like them a lot. They also fit the bore of my .50 caliber perfect.

You can also make your own with a Hollow Hole Punch ..http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=3838 Harbor Freight sells them. And I bought a set from a little tool/junk store that carries every thing for just a few bucks. Then go to the hardware store/lumber yard and get some 100% wool felt that is used as weather stripping and punch your own out. Then dip them in a lube and set them out on wax paper until they reharden. The 1/2 inch hollow hole punch will make the .50 caliber and you need a 9/16th for a .54 caliber. I like them on the big side, so they create a better seal.

I am using Cabelas 0.020" lubed patches. The cloth is almost black, but looks more shredded that burned.

Try some pillowticking you can buy it at Walmart. It will set you back about a buck fifty for half a yard which if it works will last a good long time. If the .490 loads regular not real easy with the patch you are using just try it with the balls you have, I think the pillow ticking is .015 a bit thinner. If it is already loading real easy you may need to try .495 ball with that material.

The reason I suggest trying this stuff is it is very rugged the only time I ever blew it out was with 90g charges of T7 in a real rough bore.

Hey Rick I shoot the EXACT same gun and same load all but the Patch. I use a .015 pre-lubed patch from TC . I have real good accuracy from that load.

PMA is that the T/C pillowticking patch? Does it have stripes on it?