Ramrods

[stevinator]

I was wondering if people get a stouter ramrod like some that you cut to length to fit your gun.I am just curious because the one with my new gun doesn't look real heavy and didn't know if that would be an issue later on.

[flintlock]

It's hard to tell, what gun do you have and what type ramrod did it come with???

While I hear some complain about breaking ramrods, I haven't had any problems...I have one flintlock that I bought in 1977 and I'm still using the original hickory ramrod that came with it...I think where shooters get in trouble is when they try to use a ball/patch combo that is too tight and don't clean between shots...

[PA-Joe]

The diameter of the rod is fixed by the barrel rings that hold it. Most of us have a solid range rod that we use 99% of the time. You can get a metal ram rod and save the original.

[bluecow]

do not use fiberglass!  took a fiberglass rod a passed it over the flat of a barrel cut off.  dont remember the count but not too long i had a groove on the corner.  whats that doing to the rifleing.  no ive never used one of those brass ramrod centering gizmos, nor a range rod. dont know why.

[Ron T.]

I am very pleased with my solid brass ramrod with a "T" handle.  It is heavy enough to consistently push the patched ball down against the powder in one solid motion once I start the ramrod down without my having to "ram" it down... possibly flattening the soft lead ball slightly. 

It is also strong enough for my .50 caliber rifle to be able to resist bending when the bore gets dirty and thus, becoming useless. 

By the same token, my patched ball has a good, full-fit in the rifle's bore which insures little or no powder gases escape past the patched ball during powder igntion.

I've seen some of my fellow black powder shooters struggle with their lighter, "whippy" fiberglass or hollow aluminum ramrods if their bore is a little dirty and the ball doesn't wanna slide down the bore easily.  With the heavier solid brass range rod, this is rarely, if ever, a "problem".

I paid about $25 for mine at the June Rendezvous at Friendship... and I've always been very happy with it.   


Strength & Honor...

Ron T.

[Forestclimber]

A steel ramrod with a bore guide is nice.  You can get different tips for it...patch puller, ball puller, cleaning/loading jag, bottom scraper.

[stevinator]

 Thanks guys for the info,I should know pretty soon how the stock rod works if it ever quits raining.I got everything now and it is gonna rain for 2 days so the first order of business will be to clean the new barrel out and make sure it is all ready.That should start to tell me something about the rod too.

[DDZ]

I am very pleased with my solid brass ramrod with a "T" handle.  It is heavy enough to consistently push the patched ball down against the powder in one solid motion once I start the ramrod down without my having to "ram" it down... possibly flattening the soft lead ball slightly. 

It is also strong enough for my .50 caliber rifle to be able to resist bending when the bore gets dirty and thus, becoming useless. 

By the same token, my patched ball has a good, full-fit in the rifle's bore which insures little or no powder gases escape past the patched ball during powder igntion.

I've seen some of my fellow black powder shooters struggle with their lighter, "whippy" fiberglass or hollow aluminum ramrods if their bore is a little dirty and the ball doesn't wanna slide down the bore easily.  With the heavier solid brass range rod, this is rarely, if ever, a "problem".

I paid about $25 for mine at the June Rendezvous at Friendship... and I've always been very happy with it.   


Strength & Honor...

Ron T.

+1 on the brass rod. I had a brass rod made for my TC Hawken years ago. The wood rod that came with it just had to much flex and no weight. The brass rod does add weight but the advantage over wood or fiberglass is worth it. I also use a tight fitting patch and ball combo, that is much easier to push down with the brass rod. If you try a brass rod I doubt that you will go back to anything else.