Brass range rod

I'm looking for a one piece brass range rod for my GPR flintlock. Any suggestions for sources??

Metal supplies for welding or machine shops will have stock of what ever size you require. But I would recommend you get a steel one of 3/8" and polish it well. Drill and tap one end for your jag ( problely 10/32 tip ) and attach a t handle.

Phil Coffins said:

Metal supplies for welding or machine shops will have stock of what ever size you require. But I would recommend you get a steel one of 3/8" and polish it well. Drill and tap one end for your jag ( problely 10/32 tip ) and attach a t handle.

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I will second that!..... :thumbsup:

3/8 cold rolled, and get a brass muzzle protector from Track of the wolf or similar...They probably have brass rods too, if you really think you need one....But I much prefer steel.

Track of the Wolf

I've had one of these for over 35 years, no problems ever.
https://www.trackofthewolf.com/Categories/PartDetail.aspx/566/1/RAMROD-C-36-08

I'm sure some will say you should never use a 8-32 thread, they also have 10-32. Your choice.

Snakebite

"ThePossiblesShop" sells solid brass "cleaning" rods with a wooden handle and a brass muzzle protector.

8/32 or 10/32 if the threads are steel is ok mine are 8/32 allows me to use tools made for cf stuff like nylon 9mm. 40 or .45pistol brushes.

If a cleaning jag has threads turned from the same piece of brass as the jag it’s sure to break if used much in my experience.
TC

I bought a 31-inch CVA lifetime brass range rod with an aluminum handle from Midway USA that breaks down into 3 pieces, which is much easier to haul to the range. I use is for my .50-cal. T/C Renegade. I have a 45-inch steel range rod with a wood handle that I keep on my work bench from Track of the Wolf. I use it mainly on my 1853 Pattern 3-band .58-cal. British Enfield. Both are excellent. I use the brass one the most, since I can carry it around with me anywhere, and it is just really solid. Both are 10-32 threaded for jags, ball pullers, etc., but I think you can get 8-32 as well.

A good range rod should have certain qualities....Like being able to tie it to a tree and yank out a stuck ball by yourself.... :grin:

I have a one piece brass range rod from October Country and a steel rod from track of the wolf.
http://www.octobercountry.com/bench-ramrod-with-wood-handle/
https://www.trackofthewolf.com/List/Item.aspx/33/1

The October country brass rod is very well made, but I switched to the steel range rod from track of the wolf.

I had a jag come loose while loading with the brass rod and it tweaked the brass threads on the rod and the brass threads on the jag. I fixed the threads, but now keep it as a back up rod. I figured it wouldn't happen with a steel rod.

Both rods come with a muzzle protector. Both are great, but my preference now however is for the steel rod.

koauke said:

I have a one piece brass range rod from October Country
http://www.octobercountry.com/bench-ramrod-with-wood-handle/

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I have this rod as well. Very nice rod and I've had no issues with it at all. Only thing I would recommend is if you have over .50 caliber, make sure you mention it when you order. My current herd is mostly .54 and up and the muzzle protector that came with the rod was .50 MAX...it goes down the barrel on a .54, so not of much use.

I made mine. I bought 48” 3/8” cold rolled steel rod from Lowe’s. Drilled and tapped it to 10-32 and cut to 42” and added a wooden handle and a muzzle guard. Works perfect and cost about $20.

Phil Coffins said:

Metal supplies for welding or machine shops will have stock of what ever size you require. But I would recommend you get a steel one of 3/8" and polish it well. Drill and tap one end for your jag ( problely 10/32 tip ) and attach a t handle.

Click to expand...

I have made, purchased and used both brass and steel. Either brass or stainless steel perform equally for me. The non-stainless steel rods rusted. I still have but seldom use. Keep an eye out for scrap brass. You can make yer own muzzle protectors and jags. Not hard, even for a non-metal worker like me. I put in drill press and form with a file. And don't forget Delrin as a good alternative choice. :wink: I've even hear rumors that wood was sometimes used. But I don't believe that is true. :rotf:

Rifleman1776 said:

The non-stainless steel rods rusted.

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Boggles my mind...That you would take such good care of your STEEL barrel and neglect your steel rod.

I neglected my steel rod once.. (It was all rusty
)..It was easy to fix with steel wool..
I also leaned it up against a door once....and forgot until I opened it. Bent it badly....That was also easy to fix....Hammered it out straight as an arrow, on an anvil...

Rifleman1776 said:

And don't forget Delrin as a good alternative choice.

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When I decided to just get a set of range rods to match the calibers I have rather than having one and changing jags, I got the ToTW Delrin rods. 48" long, a threaded tip. $15-$16. No handle, but they are long enough and work fine without one or a person could easily put one on. An excellent option at a lower cost.

And I even have a couple wood ones...so they DO exist! :wink: :grin:

I have two stainless steel rods and have no complaint; really can't justify buying a brass one.

Valkyrie said:

I made mine. I bought 48” 3/8” cold rolled steel rod from Lowe’s. Drilled and tapped it to 10-32 and cut to 42” and added a wooden handle and a muzzle guard. Works perfect and cost about $20.

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How do I keep the steel from rusting?? Anything besides oiling it??

Thanks for all the ideas. I decided to go with the cold rolled steel rod. Scrounging thru my junk, I found a brass muzzle guard. Since I live 75 miles from the nearest place that MIGHT have a 10x32 tap and I didn't want to order one, I cut the neck off a 30-30 cartridge, cut off the rim and concaved the base with a drill bit. That fits perfectly on a 3/8 rod. I will use that to seat the balls until I get a tap. The 30-30 case is large enough to keep the muzzle guard from sliding off the rod. The handle is an old door knob from the house I grew up in. Cost about $6 to put together.

lonewolf465 said:

How do I keep the steel from rusting?? Anything besides oiling it??

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The same stuff that goes on the inside of the barrel to protect it also goes on the outside....I wipe off any excess and then use the rag to wipe my rod....A good polish on the rod also helps.

That's all there is to it.....No problems in 40 years.

I have used the fake corks used in wine bottles these days to make muzzle protectors for my range rods. The "corks" can be sanded to a cone shape to fit your bore, and a hole drilled just big enough to fit your rod. Works great.

Best I had is 3/8" outside diameter / 1/8" inside diameter brass tubing. With that starting diameter on the inside it's easier to thread for your jags.
Brass is good because it's softer than steel.

It's nice to have a pounding rod too, the big ol' brass thingy that makes stucks projectiles go on down to the powder charge so you can just fire them out instead of pulling.