Paper Wet or Dry?

[Eric Johanen]

What are the advantages /disadvantages between wrapping wet or dry? I have noticed a trend towards dry patching and wondering about it....I've always wet patched. Is it just easier to dry patch or does it have an effect on cutting and releasing the patch. Wet patching I get a very quick and clean release of the paper and it is cut very fine usually with just a thin ring where the patch is wrapped over he base. Is there a reason I should change to dry?

[Don McDowell]

Dry is quicker, you can roll, stuff and shoot, but that's the only "advantage" I can see.
Seems to me like the wet patched usually shoot better.

[Hiwall55]

Wrapped my first dry one today, probably take some practice. Think I'll stick with wet.

[Semtav]

`Dry works fine !!! Easier to patch and you don't have to wait.

[Mike]

For some, apparently, very unusual reason, I can wrap my .40 dry very easily but must stay with wet for the larger bullets. Generally, I stay with wet. Shoot sharp, Mike

[Eric Johanen]

One thing I do like with wet patching is the ability to size the bullets when the patches are completely dry. If my paper is thicker that ideal or there are variations in the sheet I cut them from I can size them all to a consistent diameter The uniformity means they all seat into the cases the same and have the same resistance when chambering. I'll have to try it with a dry warped patch later today and see if it is feasible. I should probably try dry patching just to see how it works or if there is any improvement in accuracy.

[Don McDowell]

I don't think you'll like the results from sizing dry patched bullets.
One other thing quite noticeable from wet patched v dry patched bullets, when you patch a couple hundred ahead of time, you will loose fewer wet patched due to the paper coming off or tearing when seating in tight cases.
Drop a wet patched and a dry patched on the floor sometime, see which one you can pickup and load , and which one you have to rewrap.

[Eric Johanen]

Should have thought that one out! Into the die and out comes the bullet sans patch! I could use dry patched with .002 25% paper with my 45-70 Winchester neck sized brass. Wet patched and sized with .0025 100% paper also is a very nice fit. With the Star Line 45-90 brass the necks are too tight so I have to use my .450 to 452 expander to open the necks enough to seat the dry patched bullet. More fun things to experiment with. Since I have my rifles shooting well with greaser's, I've been doing a bunch of work with paper patch this summer and having some pretty good results. The 50-90 is coming along well and also the 50-70. The loads I used last year in the 45-70 are really doing nicely and am working with the Accurate 45-485XR for a hunting load and now to turn to the 45-90 for long range. Good stuff!!

[Stephen Borud]

I have never wet patched a bullet, dry patched only. So I am curious. When you wet patch I assume you are laying the bullet flat on the paper? Using a board of some sort for line up? Also, is there a difference in the OD between a wet patch and dry patched bullet using the same paper?

Stephen

[Eric Johanen]

I do not use a board to patch, just my fingers like rolling a old time smoke. Line up the tip of the patch on the bullet with 3/32" over the base for the fold and then just roll tightly and finish off with a roll between thumb and fore finger to fold the base patch. Press on the table and let dry. It's pretty easy with some practice and the old Mark I eyeball can tell when you have a 3/32" overhang. Load them either sized or un-sized depending on case fit and you're good to go. Tried the same method today with a dry patch and it is just about as easy only the dry patch is a bit harder because the tip o the patch does not stick in place on the bullet as you begin to roll. I'd need some practice dry wrapping. Wet patching I get a bit thinner from shrinkage then the dry paper thickness.