Loading Block Wood

[dispatch 510]

Hello all,I have got two questions,I would like to make some loading blocks for my 45 cal.Would cedar make good ones,I have several pieces that have been dyring for about a year.thought maybe i could put them to some good use.Also what size drill bit would you use.Had this info at one time but can't find it now.Whoops one more , also have some cedar branches small diameter that are dried,what would you think of a powder measure made out of one. :hmm:

 

[Tahquamenon]

I use oak and maple.

I would think that Cedar might be too soft.

 

[dlemaster]

Tahquamenon is correct use a harder wood like oak or maple.
Cedar is pretty, but it is soft and prone to split. Cedar is best used for Turkey calls.LOL

Regards, Dave

 

[Stumpkiller]

First thing that comes to my mind is that cedar splits easy. It is also relatively soft and might be prone to "grabbing" the patch knife as it passes and causing it to gouge. You can solve that somewhat by beveling the holes a bit more than usual (and being careful to use only the straight section of the blade and not the curved).

I've used maple, cherry, purpleheart, fir and walnut. I'd have to give maple the best marks for functionality of those. About any wood will work, but I'd expect the cedar to require a pretty loose fit to avoid splitting.

 

[dispatch 510]

Thanks for the info, i will look around and see what else that i can find,save the cedar for something else. i try not to waste anything. thanks again

 

[Rebel]

I used Oak from wood pallets. Oak is used in most of them. It makes pretty good loading blocks once you sand it smooth. You should be able to find some pallets around. A lot of places give them away just to get rid of them. Try an appliance sales place. :m2c:

 

[vradin]

I used Oak from wood pallets. Oak is used in most of them. It makes pretty good loading blocks once you sand it smooth. You should be able to find some pallets around. A lot of places give them away just to get rid of them. Try an appliance sales place. :m2c:

Try getting pallets from some pacific rim importers too. Most use local "scrap" woods for pallets, and I've seen some exotic woods (for the US) like purpleheart and lacewood, some honduran mahogany, and something that looked a lot like ebony, but was too lightweight.

Another good source is motorcycle stores. The imports are crated and boxed with some of the same fancier hardwoods that are like pine over there.

If you're doing a lot of pallet recycling invest in a good metal finder. It'll save alot of resharpening tine in the long run.

vic

 

[onefeather]

i have made them of maple amd mohogany and white oak ceadar is to soft but i was thinking of making some wooden powder measures does that work good luck

 

[CrackStock]

You might look for some 1 inch tomato stake material. They are often massaronduba or "South American red wood". This wood is strong and has a natural lubricity. It will make a good linear ball block.

This also makes ideal cross sticks.

YMHS,
CrackStock

 

[sidelock]

Mine is made from native Chestnut from the hills of WV and has served well for near 35 years. I don't know where you could find Chestnut now though. Good luck :sorry:

 

[vradin]

Mine is made from native Chestnut from the hills of WV and has served well for near 35 years. I don't know where you could find Chestnut now though. Good luck :sorry:

If you don't mind putting a large dent in the budget, you can get salvaged American Chestnut at a couple of dealers. I can't suggest any right now as my wood suppliers list is on the home computer and I'm at school between classes

There's also Chestnut Oak that's still around. Nice white, tight grain, darkens to a real pretty golden brown with exposure to sun or faster with ammonia fuming.

vic

 

[steved]

I picked up some scrap pieces of poplar at the cutting station in Home Depot. Made 4 loading blocks and they they came out fine. Also made a couple from some pieces of chestnut trim I found in the attic of my house. The stuff was very dry and one piece split when I was boring out the holes with my brace. :m2c:

 

[reddogge]

I use scraps of curly maple from gunstock blanks or walnut. Make fine a durable loading blocks. Here's a small 3 ball hunting block in the middle of the picture.

 

[schrivener]

I use scrap walnut. Looks good, and holds up well enough. I have a block of curly maple I may try as well, when I get the gumption to. Don't use one that often.

 

[Stumpkiller]

Here's a walnut one that I have had many, many years. I wear it around my neck like a low gorget and the double ties keep it from swinging about like a single tie point block seems to.

The one in the above picture is purpleheart with a curly maple stub-starter. It fits in a sheath on the back of the pouch. (see below)

And finally, a little maple three-holer that slips in a loop on the horn strap, so as long as I have the horn I have three shots. I keep these three ready with thin 0.010" dry-lubed patching so I can reload fast.