What’s a “ball block” for?

[user 36911]

I've decided to not use ball boards and ball starters anymore. I know my cleaning is PC and i'll make my loading the same way. I'm not convinced ball boards were around for the fur trade era which is my era, so I won't use one. I know ball starters weren't.

I know i'm not wrong doing it as i'm doing it now. I wasn't sure before.

 

[CoHiCntry]

Appreciate all the replies. My question was “what are they for”, but I think a better question would have been “what’s the advantage or disadvantage”. I can see where they might be handy at the range so everything is ready to go and more organized. Kinda like having powder loads already pre measured in tubes.

I guess I’ll have to use one sometime when hunting to see if it suits me or not? Not sure it’s any better/worse than using some kind of speed loader or simply having a load in your pocket? I can kinda see a possible advantage but need to try it to be sure.

 

[jonathan butcher]

Is this a bad thing?

Leaving the loads in the block does allow the lube to dry out or get absorbed by the wood even if the block is sealed with spar varnish or Tru-Oil.

 

[nhmoose]

Mine I use for hunting only, I can count for competition. My 40 has three balls and my 54 has two. The balls and patch are proud at the bottoms and are self centering on the bore. I do not use a short starter just the rod on the gun.

However I do not use the 'One push of the rod" That IMHO is very stupid and may get you a trip to the ER to remove the rod from your hand or arm.

Sorry if not HC I shoot guns of the period using the best stuff I can that seems to be possible but I am not a historian nor do I play dress up and pretend. Ball blocks here are not in the re-enactor section so that is my answer

 

[tenngun]

I've decided to not use ball boards and ball starters anymore. I know my cleaning is PC and i'll make my loading the same way. I'm not convinced ball boards were around for the fur trade era which is my era, so I won't use one. I know ball starters weren't.

I know i'm not wrong doing it as i'm doing it now. I wasn't sure before.

Loading mallets were issue to European Rifleman before Napoleonic wars and ball boards unknown just suddenly there.
Your on a right track by not using them, as even if we can absolutely prove them not every one had one.
Pickups are common on the road today, and SUVs, on our waterways there are plenty of kayaks but far from everyone owns one, or enjoys our roads or waterways with them.
I think sometimes we try and force a uniformity on the past that never existed.
There were fops with the latest clothing and men who were out of style, guys that bought the latest gun and fifty or sixty years old with the gun they bought in their youth.