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Loading Blocks for patched round balls

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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.

loading block drill size.gif


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

loading block 001.JPG
 
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.
 
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
 
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.
 
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
 
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.
 

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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,
 

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