Who uses short starters?

[Halftail]

I always use a short starter and even have one tied to my favorite hunting coat.I got caught once(with my starter back on the camp table) and fired a shot then tried to reload with just a ramrod,I didn't care for it. :results:
Here is a couple that I made this winter...

One is made out of an old Baseball bat and I use that when at the range.I cut my patches at the muzzle when target shooting and that one suits my needs.
The Deer horn handle one is my hunting starter and works well with pre-cut patches. :imo:

 

[Tumblernotch]

I cut my patches at the muzzle and it's a tight fit. I have one in my range box made from a 6" section of hickory ramrod with a cupped brass tip and an old doorknob for the handle. The starter I carry in the field was cut from an old chair leg and turned in my lathe with the rod part about 3" long. It hangs from the same braided thong that my antler powder charger hangs from. Like American Express, don't leave home without it.
:front:

 

[Deadeye]

Everyone uses some kind of short starter. Some have a short starter thumb, others use other material. With me it's a must have thing. I have a bag for every rifle and pistol and a short starter in a loop on the side of every bag, not in the bag. Never leave home without it.

 

[2172]

I pretty much use one all the time, but can do without by choking up on my ramrod...I know because I forgot my short starter last time I went to the range...it sure is easier if you have one..Hank

 

[Tahquamenon]

All the time on barrels that do not have a false or coned muzzle or when shooting tighter fitting PRB or other projectiles like conical or sabot.

A short starter is a must to get a rifling engaged conical properly cut into the rifling.

I like the ball handle ones with a nub on one end, the short starter post and then a hollow holed flat side to put over the end of your ramrod for an extra surface area for tough loading.

Thompson/Center markets a pretty nice one. I picked up one of those recently after I broke my hand made one.

 

[Zonie]

I use a short starter for every shot. eace:

 

[wwfeatherston]

I'm going to make one, as I have a dud left hand.

First I need a black powder rifle!

 

[loishd]

I have one for my rifle and a different one for the smoothie. Makes that second shot a whole lots easier!! :m2c:

 

[Damascus]

I use mine for every shot, and it lives in a loop that I sewed into the side of my shootin bag when I made it.

Its a T handle, made of deer antler from the second buck that I ever shot.


Damascus

 

[Herb]

I do most of my shooting from the bench, .40, .45, .50 and .54 caliber. Some muzzles coned, some not. I use a short starter all the time. Like a 2" round wood ball with a 5" or 6" piece of 3/8 hickory ramrod and a 3/8" starter at 90 degrees on the side. I make the short one out of a .38 special case glued over a short dowel and glued into the ball. Make an end for the long rod by pinning another .38 special (or .357 magnum) case on its end. I grind the headstamp off and lightly dish the primer pocket, and round off the rim so it doesn't bind on the patch. Also sometimes use a leather capper which I center over the end of the full length ramrod to give it a final whack with my palm to seat the ball. Don't ever bounce the ramrod, and hitting the end of the rod with my palm gets old fast. But I haven't used this for a long time, my lube of half Murphy Oil Soap and half alcohol lets the ball seat easily. Except the other day I was using one part soap to two parts alcohol, and the Swiss powder fouled at the breech enough that I had to work at fully seating the ball. Cured this by going back to half and half lube.

 

[shmrck1]

AZ-Robert,
In some 15 to 20 years of shooting B/P i can't
remember one time loading witout using a short starter.
I would put it real close to the top of the list of must have
items. :imo:
snake-eyes

 

My second longrifle (I built) had a choked .45 Green River barrel and I chose to use tight .445 balls that were impossible to load without a short starter. I have since switched to .440s but still use the short starter--it is probably the main reason that .45 still has its original ramrod after some 27 years. I have not found that short starters are necessary for smoothbores, but they are a help in all of my rifles.

 

[musketman]

I use a short starter and I'm damn proud of it...

 

[3 stinky dogs]

Did they use "short starters" why back when ?And if so will get hassled by the PC police for not having a PC shotr starter ?

 

[Stumpkiller]

And if so will get hassled by the PC police for not having a PC shotr starter ?

No. The reverse is likely the case. Durned few short starters are found in original kit or mentioned in use. The exception is some European prints showing target shooters pounding the balls in with hammers.

You can't prove something wasn't. You can only prove that it was; if somehow evidence exists, that is.

If you do use one, then the burden of proof is on you to confirm that they were used, and in the manner in which you are using one. But only if you're at an event where anyone cares.

I don't care. If we're firing against each other at a timed event I'd much prefer you do use one.

 

[musketman]

Did they use "short starters" why back when ?

Yes, this one is on display at Valley Forge National Historical Park...

Rifle Ball Starter and Powder Measure
A wood starter was used to seat the patched round ball evenly into the muzzle of the rifle. Then the riflemen used his ramrod to push the ball down the barrel prior to firing. This starter includes an attached powder measure.
Horn, rawhide, wood. L 10.1 cm
The George C. Neumann Collection, Valley Forge National Historical Park, VAFO 1311

 

[Stumpkiller]

Date? I can go to Valley Forge, PA and buy a Volvo. Don't make it period. :crackup:

You mean that striker from a slate turkey call might be used as a short starter? :hmm:

 

[musketman]

Here is the page that displayed it...

http://www.cr.nps.gov/museum/exhibits/revwar/vafo/vaforifle.html

 

[Bill Bryan]

I'll add to this long string of replies.
I shoot relatively tight 50 cal ball and patch combinations. Not tight enough to need a mallet but a short starter is easier on the hands. I also cut my patches as I'm loading and it makes the process more natural.
I've broken ramrods trying to start a ball so pushing them down the barrel a little avoids that. :imo:

 

[Gordon Horn]

I've always used a shortstarter. I use the round wooded ball type also. I made a nice T starter from a Deer antler once, but I managed to break it. DOH! The starter rides in a leather loop on me warbag strap.