Ball starters

[Eric Krewson]

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.

[Hawkdancer]

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

[Eric Krewson]

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.

[Hawkdancer]

Aha!  That will help!
Hawkdancer

[Mike Yancey]

I like!

[mullet]

Nice, Eric. I'll have to make me some.

[PaulN/KS]

Those look pretty neat and handy Eric. 

[Trapper Rob]

Those are nice

[Eric Krewson]

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.