Author Topic: Cleaning rod selection? (Read 822 times)

His lordship. · « **on:** November 20, 2004, 08:30:55 AM »

I have been using the take down aluminum cleaning rods for years without any problem, other than the fact that they don't take well to pounding on them to knock out a stuck cartridge case from a chamber, and can bend easily if pushed really hard.

I keep reading on how some people like steel, brass, etc. and then claim that anything other than what they use will ruin a bore. I always wipe down the aluminum rods before use as I have heard that grit can embed into them and be abrasive to the barrel. I have a Russian Mosin Nagant rifle that had the rifling worn down near the muzzle from the Soviet soldier using the steel rod, and figure that a softer material would be better as it would give way before the steel in my gun will.

What is the best type to use?

Thanks.

Nobade · « **Reply #1 on:** November 20, 2004, 10:54:35 AM »

I like one peice stainless steel ones myself, but we use Dewey coated ones in the shop. The most important thing is to use a rod guide and keep your rod clean.

KYsquirrelsniper · « **Reply #2 on:** November 20, 2004, 01:27:28 PM »

I would go with either a one piece Pro-Shot stainless rod or a Dewey coated rod. Personally, I prefer the Pro-Shot stainless rods, but the Dewey is probably the most well-known and popular overall. Be sure to use a good bore guide whenever applicable, or else you can run into problems no matter what type of rod you use.

gunnut69 · « **Reply #3 on:** November 20, 2004, 02:20:51 PM »

You have the problem wrong.. If 2 metal surfaces have grit introduced between them and are pressed together the grit embeds in the softer metal and then abrades the harder. The aluminum rod absorbs grit and acts like a lap. Diamonds and other minerals are polished with lead laps. These lead slabs revolve and are coated with diamond dust which polishes the diamond held against them.. The aluminum rods also tend to bend under a load at the joint. I have used a 1 piece stainles steel rod for many years. Less bend and harder than the bore. Be certain there are no sharp edges and always use a bore guide with any rod! I plan on experimenting with the carbon fiber rods. They are supposed to bend even less than stainless and are hard as woodpecker lips.

DWARREN123 · « **Reply #4 on:** November 23, 2004, 04:41:41 AM »

For quick cleaning I use Patch Worms and Bore Snakes, for a good cleaning I use a stainless one piece rod with a bearing handle. The main thing is no matter what you use take care.

Cuz · « **Reply #5 on:** November 23, 2004, 06:33:59 AM »

You need a Tipton carbon fiber cleaning rod. One piece and the handle rotates as you push down the bore. No marks, no lap, etc. Costs a bit more than the alum or steel rods but is by far superior.
go to. . . . . . .http://www.midwayusa.com and do a search for "Tipton" and will give you ALL of Tipton products as well as the carbon fiber cleaning rods. All sizes, calibers, etc to fit any need.

Cuz

KN · « **Reply #6 on:** November 23, 2004, 12:20:08 PM »

I believe this was hashed out once before and the main conclusion was that aluminum rods are BAD! Aluminum oxidizes with age. Guess what's in some sand paper. Aluminum oxide! Get a good stainless or fiber one piece rod. You bore is one of the most critical parts of your firearm. Why risk it? KN

xnmr53 · « **Reply #7 on:** November 29, 2004, 05:56:32 AM »

This is an oddball problem, but hopefully someone will have a solution.

I need to end up with a 1/4" diameter shotgun ramrod, either brass or stainless, preferably with a 10-32 thread, although an 8-32 will do. Looking at it from a cost issue, it may be cheaper to simply buy a cleaning rod and cut it to the required length rather than buy a blank rod and have it blind tapped. (I don't have a lathe).

I've looked high and low and I can't find many companies that state their cleaning rod specs other than length. I need a 1/4" diameter rod about 30" in length, with a 10-32 or 8-32 tip. What in your experience would qualify?

Any other ideas would also be appreciated.

Thanks

gunnut69 · « **Reply #8 on:** November 29, 2004, 10:32:00 AM »

There are adaptors to adpat shotgun threads to the one you need, there are also adaptors to change rifle rods to accept shotgun tips. Try Brownells or PrecisionReloading..

victorcharlie · « **Reply #9 on:** November 29, 2004, 12:17:22 PM »

I bought a kleen bore one piece plastic coated rod with bore guide a couple of months ago. This is something I should have bought many years ago, and to think it was only $10 bucks.......I guess I'm penny wise and dollar foolish!

xnmr53 · « **Reply #10 on:** December 09, 2004, 11:24:24 AM »

gunnut69,

I'm not looking for a cleaning rod. My intent is to end up with a ramrod that fits the shotgun's thimbles. I'll turn a tulip shaped cap for one end, but I want the other end able to accept standard black powder cleaning jags and worms for use in the field. The current rod is a pretty, 6.9mm diameter, wooden rod that is too flimsy for continued used, which has only the tulip shaped cap for seating wads and no provision for jags or worms.

If I had a lathe, I would simply buy the stock, drill and tap it, and cut to length. I believe that I can buy a cleaning rod and cut it off cheaper than I can have stock drilled and tapped by a machinist.

gunnut69 · « **Reply #11 on:** December 09, 2004, 05:49:50 PM »

Oops! Didn't reealize it was a muzzle loader. Have you looked at Dixie? They used to have a catalog full of old ramrods, mostly for oblolete muskets. Many had the tullip shaped end but they also had a good selection of parts with which to make ones own ramrod.. Various ends and adaptors..

xnmr53 · « **Reply #12 on:** December 12, 2004, 06:20:32 AM »

I looked at Dixie. They are much like all the rest of the suppliers in that the thinnest ramrod that they make is 5/16" diameter. They do stock 1/4 fiberglass rods, but there are no tips, so the rods do me no good, since it would cost to have a custom tip made.

So, I'm back to my original question. I'm looking for a 1/4" diameter, one piece, stainless steel or brass cleaning rod at least thirty inches long, tapped for 10-32 or 8-32 tools. I'll cut the rod off at the appropriate length and fit it with a hardwood tulip that I can turn on my wood lathe. Does anyone know of a company that makes such a rod? I have yet to find one in the two small stores that I have available to me.

gunnut69 · « **Reply #13 on:** December 12, 2004, 12:04:51 PM »

Did you look at the rods made as replacement for the shotguns Dixie sells. Some have the fittings you need and could be turned to a smaller diameter bery easily. Or perhaps a cheap steel rod and simply remove the handle and cut to length.

xnmr53 · « **Reply #14 on:** December 14, 2004, 03:06:20 AM »

I emailed Dixie several times asking for specs on specific rods in their catalog. They never bothered to reply in any way, shape, or form. I quess that they have so much business that they won't miss mine.

gunnut69 · « **Reply #15 on:** December 14, 2004, 07:53:04 AM »

That's strange indeed as Dixie has always been helpful for me. Try giving them a call. Also Brownells sells adaptors as does PrecisionReloading to allow use of a stainless rifle rod with shotgun cleaning devices. Combiined with a cheap large diameter cleaning rod from Midway might solve your problem. removing the handle and shoertening will allow it's use as a loading rod and they come drilled and tapped for 8-32. It may well be just as cheap to have a piece of drill rod drilled and tapped by a local machine shop then simply install a tulip shaped homemade tip for loading which could be removed to allow mounting the cleaning tips.. Check the machine shop for price. You could also just drill and tap a piece of drill rod yourself. It's not all that hard to do. Remember that to drill to the center of a rod simply turn the rod and apply the drill to the rotating rod. The bit will then self center to a large degree and tapping can be easily done by hand.

timbertoes · « **Reply #16 on:** December 14, 2004, 08:55:30 AM »

for pushing a patch.........

I have finally upgraded to ..............

Wooden dowels rods. no scratching, ever.