Huntsman ramrod modification?

[messer454]

Long before I knew of this forum I had a Huntsman that shot really well.  I could not get over the slow and weak looking ramrod however so I sold it.  With all of the modifications going on to these useful guns has someone figured out a way to modify how the forearm is attached so we can use a full length solid ramrod?  Weren't the original muzzleloaders from H&R made this way with a barrel band to hold the forearm on?  With the 25ACP conversion this would make it about the perfect inline in my opinion.  Just wishful thinking I'm afraid.

[quickdtoo]

Hubbard has a couple replacement rods, dunno how well they work, tho.

I don't have a Huntsman, they're not legal here unless they're modified, but I think if I had one, I'd make a folding rod out of a Stoney Point shooting stix, the aluminum rod with the bungee material that locks them together rigid. I was looking at mine tonight and thinking about you Huntsman owners, it will fit in a .50 cal bore and I think would be plenty stout enought for use while hunting, a tip would just have to be put on one end, and a small handle slipped over the other end. It would fold up to about 10" overall if 3 sections were used.

Just a thought.

Tim

http://www.hubbardsoutdoorproducts.com/drop.html

[messer454]

I recently saw the hubbard rod talked about here.  If I understand correctly you still have to screw out the second half.  The Stony rod sounds interesting, thanks.

[Keith Lewis]

The Hubbard rod works just like the stock rod except it is about 300% stronger, has the correct thread tapped into the end instead of the wrong one that comes on the stock rod and the end is relieved for the newer pointed bullets and by the way it extends two inches longer than the stock rod. $35 delivered and worth every cent.

[codsterboy]

I have a Sidekick and hate the ramrod situation also. After Muzzy season tomorrow I am going to look into removing the bolt nut that holds the forend on and replace it with a loop that goes around the forend and barrel.  My unreliable Thompson SCOUT has one on its forend. I wonder if a little bit of filing/milling/sanding if I could get that ring to work?  Once you slip the ring down the barrel and on to the forend theres a bolt that goes thru the forend at the very bottom that wont interfere with the ramrod.  If anyone has a different idea let me know.

[MikeC]

I have the Hubbard replacement rod for the Sidekick and love it. True you have to expand it, but it is much stronger (solid navy brass) you can see and feel the difference. I use a range rod when not hunting. When hunting I seat the bullet with the rod unexpanded, then expand it to finish up. It works fine so far, even for tight sabot/bullet combinations.

[usherj]

If you remove the forend attchment lug and use a barrel band, the rod may still be too short since the frame would stop the rod from going back the full barrel length, even after allowing for length of breech plug. And if you made a hole in the end of the frame you would still be blocked by the barrel underlug.

[coop2564]

I never have figured out what all the fuss is with the ram rod it has always worked great for me. I got the 10/32 adaptor from mid south put a jag for pointed bullets on it and ground down the wooden end to fit flush with end of barrel (adding the adator makes it a little long) it only take 3 secs to screw the rod out. I have loaded hundred's of shots with it using sabots and its never bent or been any sort of problem for me. I always liked it and thought it was a great idea. But I guess I'm a minority on this.

[eye shot]

           Same here, have the adaptor and the ramrod woks fine.