Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Muzzleloaders => Topic started by: Eric Krewson on December 29, 2019, 07:54:59 am

Title: Ball starters
Post by: Eric Krewson on December 29, 2019, 07:54:59 am: I put this on the "What did you do today" thread but thought I would put it here as well.

I was playing with scrap osage and made some ball starters for my flintlocks. I hunt with a ball board and don't need to cut a patch, these smack a ball in with authority because of the flat surface area to strike with your hand and take up very little space. I made one for my 12ga fowler and one for my .54.
Title: Re: Ball starters
Post by: Hawkdancer on December 29, 2019, 12:38:15 pm: Nifty idea! Especially for old hands! I use a rubber mallet on the range, and my first charge when hunting, will try to work up some of those!
Hawkdancer
Title: Re: Ball starters
Post by: Eric Krewson on December 29, 2019, 07:07:32 pm: I should have made the shaft of the smaller one a little longer so I can hold it between my fingers for that first light smack to get the ball just started into the barrel.
Title: Re: Ball starters
Post by: Hawkdancer on December 30, 2019, 12:07:30 am: Aha! That will help!
Hawkdancer
Title: Re: Ball starters
Post by: Mike Yancey on December 30, 2019, 08:51:31 am: I like!
Title: Re: Ball starters
Post by: mullet on December 31, 2019, 03:57:13 pm: Nice, Eric. I'll have to make me some.
Title: Re: Ball starters
Post by: PaulN/KS on January 01, 2020, 08:48:13 am: Those look pretty neat and handy Eric. :OK
Title: Re: Ball starters
Post by: Trapper Rob on January 01, 2020, 04:25:08 pm: Those are nice
Title: Re: Ball starters
Post by: Eric Krewson on January 02, 2020, 08:06:20 am: As you can tell from the darkened osage I made the one for my fowler a year or so ago and have used it a good bit, it works perfectly.

I need to get a 1/2" round grinding bit to cut the cavity in the next .54 I make. It took me a while get the one in the picture hollowed out with small round dremel, the wood was as hard as a rock.