I just got a new 5/16 Hickory Ramrod for my new (new to me) .45 Longrifle.
Of course the Ramrod is "in the raw and unfinished"....I wanted to somehow finish this one a bit differently, and I'm looking for suggestions.
Over the years I tried a lot of "stuff", and I have ended up dissappointed on more than one occasion.
I have tried;
- Soaking in kerosene (Coal Oil)...from weeks to months, even several months, and I have never been pleased with that, seems the fittings have always had problems, even when pinned in place.
- Tung oil, and boiled linseed oil....I was never particularly impressed with either of these.
- Walnut, Cherry, and Oak stain, nothing else, just plain stain.
- Spar Varnish...this was a terrible mistake!
Keep in mind that a 42"... 5/16" Rod, is a terribly flimsy little piece of wood to begin with, and any kind of "uneven" stroke in seating a tight ball can snap it like a toothpick.
So...what are you guys doing for these itty bitty rods?
I have read somewhere that there is a new coating that will actually "toughen" the wood, but I can't find where I read that, although I somehow think it was right here on this forum.
What's a mother to do?
BTW; I have two of those unbreakable, bullet proof, no nonsense, rods for range rods, but neither of them will fit the entry pipe or thimbles for hunting.
Uncle Russ..