Loading Blocks for patched round balls

[Rebel jim]

Does anyone make custom loading blocks ?
If so PM me.

 

[Bighorserider]

There are usually some advertised on the forum.

 

[Eric Krewson]

They are really easy to make, the sky is the limit on design, just about any piece of scrap wood will work.

Here is the drill bit size chart, you can use any bit that is close to these sizes and adjust the hole to be bigger with a file or piece of sand paper. I have a number of .54s so I bought the bit listed on the chart but it isn't completely necessary.

These are fun to make and before long all your friends will be overstocked with them as well from the ones you gave them.

 

[Paul Herbst]

Nice gesture Mr. Krewson, I can use the drill size info.

 

[ohio ramrod]

I like to take a taper reamer to mine to make starting the patch and ball easier.

 

[Timber Wolf]

Nice gesture Mr. Krewson, I can use the drill size info.

I found the information in the chart less than accurate for my needs. In other words, the holes proved too small on the sizes I tried. It ain’t rocket surgery, thumb fit ball and patch in a hole. I made up some .45, 50, and .54 for the prize blanket for the ‘vous, they all got grabbed up. I am pondering making a semi-circle block hung on a neckless for my .36, should not be too heavy. Just swing it up to load and then let it hang. There are threads on the forum of some member crafted blocks. There are some handy and creative people here.

 

[Eric Krewson]

You are right about the sizes being too small in most cases, I always sand mine out slightly to have the best fit with my ball and patch combination, a bit of fine tuning to be just right, not too tight, not too loose.

 

[Rod Man]

They are really easy to make, the sky is the limit on design, just about any piece of scrap wood will work.

Here is the drill bit size chart, you can use any bit that is close to these sizes and adjust the hole to be bigger with a file or piece of sand paper. I have a number of .54s so I bought the bit listed on the chart but it isn't completely necessary.

View attachment 153876

These are fun to make and before long all your friends will be overstocked with them as well from the ones you gave them.

View attachment 153878

 

[Rod Man]

Thanks Eric!

RM

 

[Rifleman1776]

I found the information in the chart less than accurate for my needs. In other words, the holes proved too small on the sizes I tried.

Nothing in this game is perzact in size. It is not like modern stuff. e.g. in general terms a 45 caliber rifle may require a ball anywhere from .433" to .457", more or less and still be referred to as a '45'. As said drill recommended size and sand out to suit yerself.

 

[Rod Man]

I got some walnut that I came across while camping. Gonna quarter saw it and make a few. Finding the time is the problem.

RM

 

[hanshi]

This thread has made me want to try and make one.

 

[golden sky]

I made up a loading block from a half inch thick plastic cutting board i had laying around... fully loaded my Kentucky is now an 8 round semi-auto loader

i had to order a special drill , about .012 oversized from amazon, i forget the letter.. but works great, nothing falls out

 

[Rifleman1776]

plastic

plastic?

 

[Rebel jim]

This is the one I want to build.

 

[Rod Man]

This is the one I want to build.

Yeah, that’s pretty elaborate. There are a couple of guys that do that on the forum. One puts silver wire on them and another who works with ebony and is literally a “Rocket Scientist “ during his day job. They both produce fine products. Pretty neat. Mine are very simple.

This is black locust.

 

[Rod Man]

I took some of the excess I trimmed off of the piece of walnut and cut some blanks.

 

[golden sky]

plastic?

i found an old oak pallet in my yard, mabe i'll cut off a piece and redo it

 

[Snake Pleskin]

Yeah, that’s pretty elaborate. There are a couple of guys that do that on the forum. One puts silver wire on them and another who works with ebony and is literally a “Rocket Scientist “ during his day job. They both produce fine products. Pretty neat. Mine are very simple.

This is black locust.

Mine are like yours. I took a commercial .50 ball block & cut it in half. Reamed one out one half for .54,

 

[Bobby MacAlphin]

One of mine , .50 cal !