Ball starter

[Tim Ault]

I'm going to be making a ball starter I know to make the short starter about 1/2" or so but What's a good length for the longer seater ?

Thanks,Tim

[Rev]

5-7 inches, a little longer for smaller calibers...

[flintboomer]

Anything from 3" to 12" will work. It depends on what you have available but about 5-6 inches is typical. Also you don't necessarily need the short side but most people use it. Sometimes I make them with just a ball shaped end and the long leg. With that kind can you can use the ball end just like if it had a short leg on it or else you can just use the long end and drive the patched ball down with it.

You want a somewhat flattened top to strike your hand against rather than a fully rounded one if you do a lot of shooting.  

[gunmaker]

If you are shooting a flint gun use a 6" or longer piece of brass rod.  Now you have a starter & a handy little non-sparking rod to knapp your flints in the cock. Cock lock put finger under flint edge and with lite little taps nibble off your flints cutting edge....  Saves carrying 1 more piece a gear.....Tom

[Tim Ault]

If you are shooting a flint gun use a 6" or longer piece of brass rod.  Now you have a starter & a handy little non-sparking rod to knapp your flints in the cock. Cock lock put finger under flint edge and with lite little taps nibble off your flints cutting edge....  Saves carrying 1 more piece a gear.....Tom

Excellent idea ! I just so happen to have a piece of 5/16 brass rod about 6 inch long 

[pathfinder]

If you are shooting a flint gun use a 6" or longer piece of brass rod.  Now you have a starter & a handy little non-sparking rod to knapp your flints in the cock. Cock lock put finger under flint edge and with lite little taps nibble off your flints cutting edge....  Saves carrying 1 more piece a gear.....Tom
[/quote

I cone my muzzles and use the back of my knife to knap. No longer bother with a short starter.

[Dogshirt]

I have serious doubts about coning. It may not cause issues, but no way in he11 would I ever do it to my rifles.

[pathfinder]

I used to think the very same thing,for years! I tried it on a gun that shot very well,I just wasn't real happy with how it turned out,personal preferance,just to see what happened. No change what so ever. I have since coned all my rifles and on 2 of them it even seemed to improve the groups. And I use top notch barrel's,De-Haas,Rayle,Hoyt.Colerain,ect....

But,to each his own! Some fella's even REFUSE to use touch hole liners too!

[Tim Ault]

Is the purpose of coning just to eliminate the use of the short starter? I would think if the angle was perfectly centered to the bore it shouldn't make a difference ,but I can also see how easy it could be done improperly . Do you only tapper till the top/muzzle is at groove dia. ?Or till the ball is fully in the barrel ? 

[gunmaker]

Tim,  No short starters have ever been found from back in the day.  They shot a lot looser load than we do. coned or not......Tom

[Watauga]

  You know as many of the short starters I have lost in the field we would have found some if they used them!
You can tie a little leather "Wang" to it and then they don't get away as fast!

[Dogshirt]

Ya gotta train em ta come when ya whistle!

[beowulf]

I dont load as tight as most do now days , and have never had any problem with accuracy ! I use a patch knife to cut the patch at loading , and use the handle to push the ball in far enough to cut the patch flush with the end of the barrel . snug fit but not so tight you have to work hard to push the ball down the barrel !

[Watauga]

Ya gotta train em ta come when ya whistle!

[hmm]Good Idea Dogshirt I will try that!
The Cuss Words sure didn't bring them back!

[Hanshi]

It doesn't matter to me whether they were used or not in the long ago; I use them because they are useful to me.  I make two sizes.  One has the long rod about 3" to 4".  I also make  "mini starters" with a length of 1" to 1.5".  The normal size ones are affixed to my bag straps (in little holsters) while the "mini ones" can be carried inside the bag or in a pocket.