Ball starter options

[Eric Krewson]

I have used a standard ball starter to load my rifles, on my latest TC build with a tight bore, I am shooting an undersized .526 ball with a .022 denim patch, with 70 gr of 2F this gives me the best accuracy out of the new GM barrel I put on the gun. I have tried bigger balls and thinner patches and the gun just didn't like them. Starting this ball combination is difficult with my round handle ball starter but once in it slides down easily.

I like to make things, I have a few flat handle ball starter designs in mind that would give me a little more smackability (is that a word?) but was wondering what you guys use to start a tight ball patch combo.

I made this for starting a tight patched ball in my 12 ga fowler.

 

[Rifleman1776]

Many of my starters have both a short-short starter and a long-starter. On the range, I am not opposed to using a small mallet to short-short a tight ball. Long one often can be used by hand after that. In the field I'll use a smaller ball or patch combo and can start by hand.

 

[FishDFly]

I have used a standard ball starter to load my rifles, on my latest TC build with a tight bore, I am shooting an undersized .526 ball with a .022 denim patch, with 70 gr of 2F this gives me the best accuracy out of the new GM barrel I put on the gun. I have tried bigger balls and thinner patches and the gun just didn't like them. Starting this ball combination is difficult with my round handle ball starter but once in it slides down easily.

I like to make things, I have a few flat handle ball starter designs in mind that would give me a little more smackability (is that a word?) but was wondering what you guys use to start a tight ball patch combo.

I made this for starting a tight patched ball in my 12 ga fowler.

View attachment 175127

Looks nice, would stain one dark.

 

[oldwood]

I have a stout short starter for my 10 ga. sbs. The business end is only 3" below the handle. Call it that , "handle" , because I found it in a junk bin at a salvage store , and it appeared to be part of a crank assy. , or something. Shoulda bought several , but was stupid , and didn't recognize their potential for ball and wad starters , until I used it for a while. Live and learn.

 

[Grenadier1758]

@Eric Krewson, I like your starter. My starters have a short stub that is just long enough to get the ball past the muzzle to cut off the patch material. Your starter has a stub that is about twice as long as the stub I use. The tip is concave to the diameter of the ball. I have the balls starters for each of the calibers I shoot.

 

[Loja man]

I love that you used Osage!! I use it quite a bit! I’ve used it for knife handles, handles for my forging hammers, axe handles, tomahawk handles and one short starter!

 

[hanshi]

I've made most of the short starters I use and each hunting bag has it own, for the caliber, starter holstered on the bag strap. I kept all this even though I no longer hunt. I also have a couple of factory starters and use them at the range sometimes.

Here's a few of mine but yours is a lot more better than mine.


The item at the top is a "palm saver" I made.

 

[simonbeans]

And then there is this guy (me) who is making a short starter based on some first hand documentation of one illustrated in an early 19th century manuscript. Very comfortable in their intended purpose and can be utilized in multiple bore sizes.

 

[Loja man]

And then there is this guy (me) who is making a short starter based on some first hand documentation of one illustrated in an early 19th century manuscript. Very comfortable in their intended purpose and can be utilized in multiple bore sizes.
View attachment 175276

I have looked at yours on the forum before. They seem very comfortable!!

 

[simonbeans]

They are. Flat topped so you can “slap” with any part of your hand. Plus with the concave ball area at the end of the brass rod, it stable and not likely to slip off the ball. Also by being drilled and tapped (if so desired), jags of various sizes make the starter very versatile.

 

[Grimord]

I make my short starters using antler for the handle in a "T" shape. One end of the "T" is hollowed out for the powder charge for the particular rifle the starter is for. Having the powder measure built into the short starter saves having "danglies" from my shooting bags.

 

[longcruise]

I use the typical hardwood ball. The long stem is about 6" long. There is a brass nub to start a ball and a hole drilled to fit the rod for final seating of the ball. It easily fits in the shooting bag.

Often the initial seating is skipped and it is smacked in with the long stem just far enough to cut the patch.

 

[TDM]

This is one I made that I use on my .50’s.

 

[oldwood]

Tdm , that does it , think I have to throw my ball starters in the wood burner , and try to make something like yours. It's scary good. Very good art work.

 

[TDM]

Tdm , that does it , think I have to throw my ball starters in the wood burner , and try to make something like yours. It's scary good. Very good art work.

Thanks, but I’m just blessed to have lots of red cedar to work with. Makes you look better than you really are. I bet yours are great too.

 

[necchi]

And then there is this guy (me) who is making a short starter based on some first hand documentation of one illustrated in an early (European)19th century manuscript.

 

[Eric Krewson]

With my 12ga starter I tap the ball just barely in the bore, cut the patch and then tap it in the length of the starter. I didn't mention that my fowler is jug choked and I don't want the patched ball in the jug when I start it because it might roll around in the patch. The next step is to use my ramrod and quickly push the ball through the jug and down the bore.

 

[The Damned Yankee]

I start the ball with my thumb then cut the patch. Then short stroke with the wiping stick till seated. I'm not from the school that you try to cram 10 pounds of sh......stuff in a 5 pound sack. (Super tight ball & patch) I only use a ball starter with my rarely used loading block. DY

 

[longcruise]

@The Damned Yankee I do the same on the hunt. Finger push the ball slightly proud of the block surface, line it with the bore and punch it.

 

[flashpoint]

This is one I made that I use on my .50’s.

That not only looks like it works really well, but is a piece of art to boot. Good job.