Loading block for roundballs

[steelerzzz]

With all the talk of cutting patches at the muzzle,using precut patches and etc, has anyone tried the wooden loading block method? Is it easier or is it more trouble than it's worth?

 

[LRB]

Pre-cut patches were the norm. Loading blocks work very well, but cannot yet be documented as being used in the 18th c.

 

[shmrck1]

steelerzzz,
Well they are handy and by most stanards
I believe PC at least to their time.They are simple to make,if you have the mind to.
Check the "Member Resourse" forum,under I think
charts and measurements.Musketman has a chart
showing drill bit sizes for loading blocks.I believe they would be the speedloaders of their day.
Lots of other info on the forum also.
snake-eyes :hmm:
Just saw Wicks post.If he says they are not documented I would bow to his expertise.I actually
thought they were at the time of the Revolutionary War.

 

[MSW]

Wick-

I have often thought about how many households had a gun, and wondered why there aren't so many more of the originals. I suspect that it has to do with the prevailing attitudes, and that these were seen as tools, to be used and then turned into something else when worn out or used up. In that vein, a loading block would end up in the trash bin or woodstove when worn out or broken and, being made of wood, wouldn't survive being outside or otherwise unpreserved for more than a few years.

so, maybe we're in the scenario of virtaully everyone had one, it was unremarkable, and they don't last that long anyway, like a modern tooth brush- if it weren't for advertising, would we know about them in a few centuries?

just a thought

 

[tg]

They work OK and speed the loading process, you will have to choose PC or not PC if you want to use them no one will fault their use unless a claim of past usage earlier than documented is made, I suspect that in the past a looser combo was used and a loose precut patch and ball were carried in the bag and thumb started, they are fun to make and look cool with all that other suff hanging around ones neck.....untill one decides to thin out a lot of stuff that is really not NEEDED, then there is a lot of room in the bag.

 

[NHmsj]

I certainly don't know about PC, but I sure do like using mine. And, yes, it is faster loading with one than without. To be true, of course, one has to discount the time it took to "load the board" previous to the actual loading of the rifle. But it is done at a more leisurely time pior to when at the range or in the field. I'll even reload the board at the range just so I can make sure I have each ball and patch properly aligned. It's much easier to undo a lousy alingment when done in the board as opposed to it being done in the rifle. Just a personal preference on my part.

msj

 

[dodgecity]

Here's one in the shape of a Celtic cross that I recently made for my .40. I only use them for hunting, and I have them for all my long guns.

 

[BrownBear]

With all the talk of cutting patches at the muzzle,using precut patches and etc, has anyone tried the wooden loading block method? Is it easier or is it more trouble than it's worth?

I've got them for all my guns, and sometimes I use them and sometimes I don't. At the range they're kinda pointless unless speed is an issue. In the field, the more you shoot in a day, the better you will like them. For my deer hunting I've got a block that holds only 3 balls, and that's 2 too big. But for small game hunting, you'll prize them.

In the small calibers I use on snowshoe hare hunts, they're priceless. Handling 32 or 36 cal balls and patches individually in a hurry with cold fingers while standing in tall grass causes you lots of frustration and dropped balls. It's even worse if you missed the hare on the first shot and it's standing there watching you reload.

Looks like we're moving into a high cycle for hares this year, and I'm going to make a 12 hole block for my 32 to go with my 6-holer. I don't think that's wishful thinking at work. :grin:

 

[merdean]

I agree with Brown Bear. I use a loading block for my .32 and .36 when squirrel hunting. It is faster and fewer dropped balls. Mine hold 9 PRBs. They are made of pine so don't last more than a couple of seasons then make a new one. Drop it too many times and it will crack. Making a new one is half the fun! :wink:

 

[wvbuckbuster]

I like using load blocks. Comes in handy when engaged with squirrels. When deer hunting I carry a block or two and not a ball bag in my shooting bag. As stated it helps to cut down on unneeded stuff. Don't know how historic they are but I saw Gary Cooper carring some with a short barrel ml in an old movie(could just be hollywood). Can't remember the name. Anyway they come in handy and it is something you can make and use.

 

[longcruise]

Here's one in the shape of a Celtic cross

That is a downright classy block.

 

[FishDFly]

I really like your workmanship, need to study a bit on it. With some tinkering, might be able to make a combination 40 and 45 out of it.

Thanks for your workmanship and ideas.

RDE

 

[BrownBear]

With all the talk of cutting patches at the muzzle,using precut patches and etc, has anyone tried the wooden loading block method? Is it easier or is it more trouble than it's worth?

Here are a couple of unsolicited tips for using blocks:

Seat each ball so that it sticks out below the bottom of the board a little. That makes it really easy to find the bore quickly and get things lined up by feel.

I salvaged the brass tip from a broken ramrod and mounted that on a wooden knob to make a longer "short" starter. It's just the right length to push the ball all the way through the block and get it started in the bore. I bored a hole in the knob and passed a short laniard through it, then tied it to the laniard on my block. It's just long enough to reach up for ball seating with the block in place on the bore. Also keeps the two pieces together where they belong, rather than losing the short starter down in the bottom of your bag.

 

[Oldnamvet]

Seat each ball so that it sticks out below the bottom of the board a little. That makes it really easy to find the bore quickly and get things lined up by feel.

That is easier than what I used to do ... chisel an octagon recess to fit the end of the barrel. It worked well, especially in the dark, but required wood thicker than the typical 3/4" board.

 

[bwhoffman]

I counter bore the ones I have made.
I dont use them much myself, but friends like them and they do go faston the trade blanket!

 

[tg]

The counter bored ones are nice with a smoothbore barrel I used one for a couple of seasons when hunting with a NW gun, but I just seemed to drift away from using/carrying them as with quite a few other things, just the way my journey has taken me I guess.

Nice boards Brett, I liked the rounded edges on mine.
below is one that came with a .62 smoothrifle I bought used.it has an escutcheon (SP) and relief carving, someone had some spare time on their hands.

 

[the Black Spot]

i thought there was a documented case of a bullet board dated to 1757? seems like it was in a 600 piece collection from the revolutionary war era.
anyone know of this? thanks in advance.

i use a bullet block all the time wether just plinking, at the range, or hunting. i figure if i use it all the time it will help make a quick follow up on several squirrels standing in a row(you know frozen with terror from the first one you shot :youcrazy. or for when deer hunting and reloading the second shot quickly counts.

 

[tg]

I believe that the loading block mentioned above
has not passed the authenticity test as to the date, I don't know the whole story but this position on that block comes from most of the historical guns/gear students that I have seen post on the matter, it may be a carry over from a lot of faked stuff from 40-50 years back.

 

[BrownBear]

I like the inset Tg! Been trying to think of some way to "fancy up" one for my wife's new gun, and that's the best answer I've seen. Got some old Mexican peso coins we picked up there on a trip together 30 years ago. Sentimental value and all that, so she'd see the inset in a good light.

Thanks!

 

[tg]

I thought it was kinda nice, the guy who made it did a nice job, his enitials are on the insert, I left them on so as not to bugger the thing up as it looks good like it is.