The Lowly Patched Roundball Although there have been many changes since the start of flintlock season in 1974, it's a primitive firearms season and success in it hinges on attention to many little details, including the lowly patching around the roundball. Lock, Stock & Barrel By Dave Ehrig T RADITIONALISTS love the flintlock rifle for many reasons. It is very challenging to master; it speaks to the soul about heritage; and it makes the woods come alive with orange fire and two giant puffs of white smoke. But I would be the first to admit that it can be the most difficult firearms system to master when pursuing whitetails. A recent letter from a reader that reached out for help is typical of the problems surrounding the system. Gary from Bucks County wrote: "I am 60 trying to sight in a Thompson/Center with open sights. In the past, I used a .495 roundball with pillow ticking and Crisco. I think my new pillow ticking is 0.019-inch thick, but I think that my old pillow ticking was 0.015inch thick. I find the load difficult to start and I think that it might be the patching. Should I change to a .490 roundball instead? Or, should I try a thinner patch? Could the old Crisco be the problem? I had never had a problem like this before. Help!" WWW.PENNGAMENEWS.COMhttp://WWW.PENNGAMENEWS.COM