First bullet board

[Silex]

Although I don't consider myself a real craftsman, still I post this here because I made it on my own. If it is better suited for the accoutrements please move it.

After reading here on the forum and Mark Baker I decided to make a bullet board. I had a small scrap piece of ash laying around and had at it.
Unfortunately non-metric drill bits are a bit hard to come by here, so I used a 13mm bit rasp and sandpaper to get it to fit my patched .530 roundball.
As a finish I have used boiled linseed oil (3 coats).







The group was shot at 25 yards offhand - loading from the horn and bullet board - it worked fine and I think this will be part of my hunting kit from now on.

Thanks for looking,

Silex

 

[Shotgun232]

nice, they work well

 

[necchi]

I like how you drilled the carry cord holes, :thumbsup:

 

[BrownBear]

I really like the way you drilled the string hole from side to side rather than front to back. Haven't seen that before, and I could see where it would help the spin and twist when carrying larger boards. Thanks for the inspiration! :hatsoff:

 

[Rifleman1776]

I had a small scrap piece of ash laying around and had at it.

Good fer ye. :thumbsup:
I believe just doing it on yer own is a big part of this game. It is fun and gives a sense of satisfaction to do and complete a project you will be using later.
Personally, I believe there is no such thing as scrap wood. I have made many loading blocks (bullet boards) from small pieces of wood others would consider "scrap". It is also one way to turn waste into $5.00 or $10.00 on the trade blanket.

 

[CG6018]

Well done! :thumbsup: The shape looks like it would fit your hand comfortably, and I agree, the string holes through the edge of the block is a clever idea. :hatsoff:

 

[Wes/Tex]

Good job. Will toss out FWIW, that the 'secret' to boiled linseed oil is lot'sa coats. The old jingle went, "Once a day for a week; once a week for a month; and once a month for a year". Not quite that bad, but the result is a finish with depth. :thumbsup:

 

[wattlebuster]

I like it :thumbsup:

 

[Silex]

Thanks everybody for the kind words!

Actually I like the idea to make some for the blanket. Usually I don't go to shoots and rendezvous around here - because there are none.
But there is one "meeting" just outside of my town I found out this year but couldn't attend. I know they have a blanket shoot - now I know what I am going to make to attend next year.

About the several coates - I will give it another coat after every outing.


Silex

 

[Wes/Tex]

About the several coates - I will give it another coat after every outing.
Silex

That's the idea, just rub in till it feels warm from friction to help it dry. The idea is to get it to be "in" as well as "on" the wood...as it will absorb into the wood grain a bit better than many modern finishes. Just one of those "can't be in a rush" methods.

 

[ohio ramrod]

Simple, practical , and nice. I like it. :idunno:

 

[FishDFly]

Nice workmanship, I like making them, it's relaxing and fun.

I have made them in heart shapes for the young female shooters in the club as rewards if they do not place in a match.

I have made them in all shapes and use them in matches and hunting.

Making them is fun, thanks for your sharing.

Winter is here, need to make some more, thanks for the nudge to do something, I have a new line pistol that needs some boards.

 

[Wes/Tex]

I have made them in heart shapes for the young female shooters in the club as rewards if they do not place in a match.

Wonderful idea! Think I may suggest we do something like that for the shoots each year for the state that introduces high school aged kids to shooting sports. State will never go for even a light expense but we ought to be able to make a few for those young ladies who "doink" one off the metal ram. Couple of years back, one girl even knocked off the ram's manhood...what a hoot & did she ever get kidded!

 

[Rifleman1776]

Personally, I do not see a need to finish the wood. These will be used and, presumably, handled with dirty hands and will get that used look very quickly. I do rub mine with an oil, not fussy about which kind. Mineral, Lemon, etc. But most often I'll use Neatsfool oil, especially on the ones I make from antler. Which, BTW, is a good use for odd shaped cut-offs that normally would go in trash.

 

[BrownBear]

I just rub mine down with mink tallow, same as I use for patch lube.