Paper Patch Bullets are a lot of fun to Shoot, and can be very rewarding accuracy wise if you get everything Right, But not anymore so than a Good Grease Groove Bullet (Depending on Rifle/Load) It’s my Personal opinion, Due to me Shooting Swiss Real Blackpowder, and my Style of Elk Hunting (Ground & Pound) That my Paper Patch are not The greatest choice for a Hunting Bullet, For me. I love them for Bench Rest/Target Shooting Where i have Full Control, Where i have all the time i need to Swab my Bore GOOD Before Reloading, Paper Patching for Muzzleloader is Where i Started in Muzzleloading, I Shoot a TON of Paper Patch Bullets on Targets
Here is my Method of Paper Patching
https://www.modernmuzzleloader.com/threads/paper-patching-for-muzzleloaders-video.32608/
With Swiss Real Blackpowder The Fouling is Dry, and ROUGH, Try and Reload a Bullet with a Very thin Paper Jacket down a Swiss Real Blackpowder Fouled Bore and Failure awaits you. It feels about the Equivalent of 80 Grit Sandpaper. Remember, There is NO Lube with Paper Patch, Therefore the Fouling is Dry, BRUTAL When using Swiss Real Blackpowder. If i were to Hunt with my Paper Patch Bullets, i would carry a Sealed container of HIGH Content Alcohol Patches So i Could Swab Quickly Before Reloading (This is Less than ideal if you have a Wounded Animal, Where every second can be Precious)
2nd, Again Remember you are dealing with a Thin Paper Jacketed Bullet, They have to Slide Down the Bore with little Resistance, if they are to Tight you Risk Stripping the Paper Jacket, or Pushing the Bullet Through the Paper Jacket (I have done both a Few times) When you slide a “Slip Fit” Paper Patch Bullet down the Bore it doesn’t take a Heck of a Lot to Get that Bullet to Move Back off the Powder Charge. My Style of Elk Hunting here in North Idaho is Walking for Miles n Miles, Through no telling what kind of Terrain? I don’t have a Sling on my Rifle, This Country is EXTREMELY Brushy for the Most Part, I carry my Rifle Straight Forward Barrel Down navigating through the “Jungle”, or Cradled Across my Arm the Chances i can do so, like walking an Old Logging Road. When Hunting, The LAST thing i want to Worry about is My Bullet Slipping off the Powder Charge, I pull up and Shoot, Very Possibly “Ringing” My Barrel. I know me, I would CONSTANTLY be Checking my Bullet with Gun Rod to Make sure it hadn’t Moved
For me Personally, my Style of Elk Hunting, I want a Good Snug/Tight Fitting Bullet that i have to Push down the Bore with Good SOLID Pressure, This is gonna be a Grease Groove Bullet. This way i can Hunt with Confidence Knowing that my Bullet will ABSOLUTELY Stay Put on the Powder Charge Where it Belongs. On the other hand, If i were “Stand Hunting” For Whitetail, Where i am Sitting either on the Ground, or Elevated in a Stand (I stay on the Ground) I could Use my Paper Patch Bullets Confidently for this Style of Hunt. I would be in MUCH Better Control of my Bullet on the Powder Here, Now i just have to Swab before i can Reload.
If Hunting With Paper Patch Bullets is something you wish to Pursue, and wish to seek other Possible Alternatives for PP than i said above, Look up Idahoron, He Hunts Exclusively with His Paper Patch Bullets. Ron goes about Paper Patching VERY Differently than i do, Ron Patches a Much Larger Bullet from the Mold, Then Pushes Them Through a Sizer Die, He uses a Different Powder than i do as well (Pyrodex P) Which Allows him to Reload a Fouled Bore Many times Due to it Being a Soft “Gooey” Type Fouling. Ron Has methods of Carrying/Transporting his Rifle (On His Person, In a Vehicle, and on his ATV) to help ensure his Bullet Stays on the Powder Charge. It works Well for Him, Ron has taken a Lot of Game with his Paper Patch Bullets
Whatever you choose, Good Luck with it! And Welcome to the Forum