With the cost of everything being what it is…bullets, powder, primers and cleaning supplies…what do you use for you cleaning patches and what do you pay for them? It seems that the price is out of sight and if you are paying 2-3 cents per patch and if you use between 1-3 patches in between shots that can add up fast. Is there a cheaper source for patches or do you cut your own? If you cut your own, what type of material do you use?

i use either old bed sheets or my old white under shirts.

I buy 100% cotton muslin material by the yard. Wash it to remove all sizing, then cut (and/or tear) it into 1.5 - 2" squares. I usually just remove one strip at a time (1.5 - 2" wide X 36" long) and then snip it into squares with scissors.

I just order them...I think I got a pound of precut patches for $8 last time.

I hate to admit it but I've been getting mine for free. I have a brother that works for a chemical plant the use to use 2" patches when cleaning out certain pipes. They no longer use them but have a room full of OxYoke cleaning patches. Every few months my brother asks his supervisor if he can take a bag or two home. He then gives them to me and my other brothers that hunt or shoot to use in our guns. I think I have about 4 or 5 1000 count bags right now in my shop. They come in real handy when shooting 3 or 4 MLers per range session.

I buy 500 2" cleaning patches from RMC Sports for $9 at the Harrisburg Sportsman's show every year. Two packs of 500takes me thru the year.
Chap Gleason

Save money!!!

Buy a flintlock...

Lead...for molding round balls...Free...From dentist...
Loading patches...Cotton ticking $3.00 a yard...
Cleaning patches...Cotton Flannel...$3.00 a yard...
Flints...Free if you knapp your own...$1.00 a piece if not...
Goex FFF...$11.50 a pound...

Old t-shirts mostly. I have an 8 year old who's growing fast so I have an abundant supply.

Old T-shirts, old socks, and Wal Mart sells a 200 count -"bag of patches" for $1.99 so last time there I picked up five more bags.

I been meaning to ask the same question. My son just left for college and he was throwing out some of his old t shirts. I've cut some of them up and they work ok. But, I find the 2inch precut patches I see for sale are slightly thicker and work a lot better. I'm going to check out the fabric stores.