Brass ramrods?

[vthompson]

I have broke two ramrods while shooting my rifles and I am tired of it. I was wondering if you guy's could point me to a dealer that sells brass ramrods so that I can buy me one of them for my rifle. I thank you for your time and trouble,

vthompson

[Stormrider51]

Just a thought, but I've used hickory ramrods for more than 40 years and never broken one.  Okay, well I did shoot one downrange when I got in too big a hurry but that shouldn't count against me.  My point is that there are at least two schools of thought when it comes to loading.  Some people take along everything the truck will carry.  Others take along only what they could walk out of the house with, rifle and shooting bag.  I'm in the second category.  I use a hickory ramrod carried in the thimbles under the barrel for everything from loading to cleaning.  The "secret" is to buy hickory ramrods with a nice straight grain and minimal run-out.  Then soak them in kerosine or other good wood treatment oil.  I can's seem to find kerosine anymore so I use Danish Furniture Oil.  Then, when loading, never raise your hand more than a hands-width above the muzzle when running a ball home.  Reaching too far above the muzzle and bending the rod on the down stroke is where most breakages come from.  The "short stroke" method has the additional benefit of preventing you from pile-driving the ball and deforming it.

I'm sure that many will offer sources for a brass rod and if that's what you want that's fine.  I'm just saying that if you ever plan to spend a day or more woods roaming and shooting at targets of opportunity, it pays to have a ram rod attached to the gun that will do everything.

Storm

[Gambia]

If you want to stay with wood, check out these ram rods, hickory with a steel rod down the center and made to your order; http://www.periodramrod.com/

[Bigsmoke]

RMC makes brass rods.  October Country does also.  Eastern Maine probably does too.
I wouldn't be without a good brass range rod.  I prefer the one piece rods rather than the multipiece ones.
John

[Rasch Chronicles]

Coal oil, if you can find it, was the old tyme method for making flexible ramrods.

Best Regards,
Albert “Afghanus” Rasch
The Rasch Outdoor Chronicles™: George Washington, President and Fisherman
?O??? ????!

[vthompson]

I wanted to thank you guy's for your help and suggestions on the ramrod. I have a couple of different options to consider that I didn't know were available to me. Once again guy's, many thanks.

[2571]

Coal oil, if you can find it, was the old tyme method for making flexible ramrods.

 What's the diffeence between coal oil and kerosene?  Thought it was the same stuff.

[Stormrider51]

It is.  Different names is all.  Sort of like bucket vs pail.

[Two Steps]

vthompson...I've purchased quite a few brass range rods with a T handle from the Log Cabin Shop....of different lengths and diameters.  I also have a brass rammer hung under the barrel of a .32cal rifle...works just fine.
Al

[wwpete52]

You can also go to a big hardware store that sells brass rod.  I did that and had the end of the rod drilled and tapped 10/32 for the jag.  I think the brass rod was around $12 or so.

[sse]

For use at the range and cleaning up a brass rod is a great tool.  You don't have to struggle as much with the rod for any tough patches.  Using one is a great relief.  I ordered one for fifty bucks.

[Rasch Chronicles]

Ahhh, my friends,

But it is not the same! A common misconception!

Coal oil is refined from shale oil. . Coal oil is a term once used for a specific shale oil used for illuminating purposes. See reference.

When kerosene, distilled from petroleum, took over as a cheaper alternative, people just started using the term "kerosene" for all illumination oils.

Your friend,
Albert

[Sean McKown]

i use stainless range rods.

[Sean McKown]

Sorry, My kid was helping!!  I get the stainless rods from a customer of mine(welding shop that does only stainless)  they drill and tap the end for me, and they cost me a 1$ a foot.  I just have to put a handle on them.  My daughter and I have an early 1900's door knobs for our handles.  and I still ram my ball  down the barrel a hand width at a time.   I use my wood rod for hunting and trailwalks.

[prairie dog]

I have broken wood rods too.  Once in the woods, trying to load a tight load (should have swabed the bore) and I had to whittle a stick to seat the load.  Broke a few on the range and the last time I broke one at rendezvous during a timed shoot.

Stormrider gives good advice on wood rods.  I have hickory rods just like that under the barrel of my rifles.  I use them when hunting and at rondezvous.

However, I do think it's a good idea to have a range rod.  My old one is fiber glass and I quit using it because of getting glass splinters in my hand.  My current rod is brass, threaded on each end.  I use a brass muzzle guard and a screw on T handle.  I believe I bought the rod from October Country.

The range rod really helps get a tight load down the barrel and when you have to pull a ball (it happens sooner or latter) you can hook the T handle in the fork of a tree and pull the rifle.  It scares heck out of me to watch two guys trying to pull a stuck ball and one of them pulling in front of the muzzle.

I may be a little too "gadgety" for some, but having a good range rod available can save a day.