Patch loading

[Moonbogg]

My barrel is 1.87" ID and a basic golf ball is about 1.68" diameter. I can load them nice and snug with a patch, but I am concerned about which side of the ball the patch should be on. For instance, it is easier to put the patch in the barrel first and follow it with the ball, pushing the patch tightly in the barrel so that both are nicely seated. My concern with this is that the patch being so much less dense than the ball, that the blast force will send the patch flying in front of the ball and the ball will then have precious PSI escaping around it.
I could also load the patch behind the ball, like load the ball first and wrap the patch around the ball so that the patch nearly reaches around to the far other side of the ball. This is harder to load because its awkward. The ball doesn't have much patch in front of it to hold it in place, and the patch doesn't stay tight against the ball as a result. However, it makes sense because the force would push the patch with the ball in front of it, and the patch cannot escape first. All the PSI would be used for the patch which has the ball right in front of it.
I hope you guys get what I am trying to say. So how do you load your patches? And what do you use as a patch? I was going to use paper towels.

[jackssmirkingrevenge]

Around 1:30, why screw with hundreds of years of tradition

[youtube][/youtube]

[starman]

I haven't bothered with a patch or sabot of any sort with my barrel and golfballs. My SDR 21 is a little smaller than 1.87" as the balls roll down it with a slight vacuum.

I have considered using a sabot design of some design though and would be curious as to your findings in this area.

[Moonbogg]

Around 1:30, why screw with hundreds of years of tradition

[youtube][/youtube]

Thanks for that. I had a feeling that was the right way to do it. It only makes sense.

[mark.f]

[youtube][/youtube]

Sheesh. No follow-through at all...