Loading blocks

[Capt. Jas.]

Pretty sure that 1757 one has been debunked as a fraud.
A block with holes is possible way before firearms so I think it possible earlier than we know. That said, one is just woulda, coulda, shoulda guessing before the latter half of the 19th century. That is perfectly fine for doing ones own thing or rendezvous but not in any historical representation unless there is good enough documentation.

 

[Loyalist Dave]

That is perfectly fine for doing ones own thing or rendezvous but not in any historical representation unless there is good enough documentation.

Actually, I use one all the time when doing historical representations!

You see it illustrates well two things.

First it shows the ball wrapped in the cloth patch up close, so the person with whom I'm speaking can better understand how the patch helps the ball, and I explain how that patched ball interacts with the rifling...

THEN I also use the wooden bullet board aka "loading block" to illustrate an item that was perfectly capable of having been built with the technology of the time, but because we have found nothing to support such an item, it really cannot be proved it was used during the AWI or the F&I or in between. So I explain that while I use it to show the patched ball, it really has no historic anchor as an item a rifleman would've had or made....

LD

 

[smo]

Deer, paper or steel targets don’t care if they’re HC/PC....

I don’t own a ball block at the present time, but I’ve used them in hunting and target shooting in the past.

They work well for that use along with keeping track of shots fired during competition .

In a timed shooting match , they work too your advantage as well..

I can understand how at a juried event or Historical re-enactment they might not be appropriate, but if you look close enough most likely you’ll find other items that are not HC/ PC or appropriate as well...

After all 200 + years ago things were a lot different...

There are several Guys and Gals that I shoot with that have them and use them, and I can see no problem with that.

All and all, it really depends on the event and mindset of the group your shooting with.
Not all have the same rules ...

 

[RiverRat]

Here is a 40cal loading block that Mark Wheland made for me when he built my Tennessee longrifle. It was a scrap piece.

 

[Loyalist Dave]

Six shots ..., let me see....OH the daily limit for squirrels in a lot of places.

LD

 

[smo]

Nice block RiverRat

LD, here’s a Friend of mines loading block from a week or so back....

.50 cal and it took 5 rounds too get that tough Ol Tennessee buck too stay down..

And a broken ram rod! I sure wish I had of been there for this one....
With a video recorder!