Do you use patches with conical bullets?

Question

Like in a hawkens rifle or something like that, would you use a patch when firing a minie ball, or would you just seat the projectile direcly on the powder?
If i use paper cartridges for the powder, shold i put those on top of the powder before the bullet?) thanks!

Answer 1

The only things that go into a muzzle loader with a mini-ball are the powder and the projectile.

If you look at the back of the projectile, you'll see an indentation - this is so it expands to the rifling as the powder ignites, for a tight fit as it goes out the bore. This eliminates the need for the patch as round-ball projectiles were undersize for ease of loading.

The paper was was only for containing a pre-measured amount of powder for quick reloading. Do NOT load the paper into the firearm.

Answer 2

No patch is needed for conical bullets (minie ball, etc). A cloth patch is used for round balls, because they are typically under sized-.490" for .50 caliber, etc. and the patch makes a tight fit in the rifling. I think you'll find a minie makes a tight fight by itself. Don't put the paper on top of the powder; any remaining sparks could set off the powder when you go to reload.

Answer 3

NO patch at all..Just lube the bullet and seat it directly on the powder charge. The old style paper cartridge carriers were not loaded into the firearms. They were only carried as a way to premeasure the powder charge and to speed reloading time........Patches are only used when firing round balls not conical bullets......

Answer 4

No, just lube it well, it's design is to allow the "skirt" of the bullett to expand and contact the rifling in the barrel. Using a patch with a conical bullet, could cause enough resistance to lead to an overpressure situation.