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Delrin as ramrod material

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stiles1410

32 Cal.
Joined
Jul 7, 2018
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Are there any concerns with Delrin embedding grit in ramrods like with fiberglass? I know the material itself is non abrasive and I assume very hard? I have a Delrin rod for my Deerstalker and am looking for one for my crockett 32. I normally use a crown protector bore guide but I want a ramrod that wont wear down my muzzle.
 
Delrin is to flexible to make a good loading rod in my opinion.
For field use a good straight grain , kerosene cured oak rod is very hard to beat.
For competition shooting nothing beats a one piece steel rod of 5-16's diameter with a 1.5 inch ball handle and a down muzzle brass or Delrin guide/muzzle protector.
 
Many use it sans difficulty. Is it HC, no, but neither is modern steel barrels.
I use hickory and it works well. There are places it won’t fit, but if it serves your needs then none should second guess you.
 
I think that it doesn't matter which material your ramrod is made off as long as you use a muzzle-guide to protect your bore... I learned a harsh lesson when I ruined a perfectly good barrel because I used a glass fiber ramrod without a muzzle-guide.
 
I been using a Delrin rod for various reasons in my rifles, however not as a primary rod for any of them.

As you know they are very flexible.

Fleener
 
Many years ago I discovered that the retention spring in my Pedersoli SxS was a bit weak, since the ramrod slid forward as I negotiated some brush, and snapped off about 4". Since it's just a hunting gun, I replaced that rod with a Delrin rod, and no worries since.

LD
 
It sounds as if you are looking for a good range rod (as opposed to a rod to carry under your barrel). I never use anything but brass for my range rod. I have tried Delrin and fiberglass but I always return to my good old brass rods. I really don't like Delrin because it is way too flexible. You have heard the old expression "like stuffing a wet noodle up a wild cat's a$$". Well that is how I feel about Delirn rods. That is particularly true of Delrin rods for calibers smaller than .45. But even the .50 and .54 rods are too flexible to suit me. I put antique brass doorknobs on the end of my brass rods for a handle. Always use a bore guide for whatever kind of rod you choose.
 
Although I use hickory RRs in all my builds and 2 of 3 of my hunting MLers, I have to admit that the RR that came w/ the TC Hawken kit and later on the TC cleaning RR which is longer than the one in the kit, are superior to the hickory RRs. They aren't very flexible but don't break and the color doesn't conflict w/ most stock stains. Evidently they also don't "pick up" abrasives because the chamfer of my much used TC Hawken's bbl hasn't been damaged and the rifle itself is as accurate as the day the kit was finished.

Like I said...hickory is the choice for most of my RRs, but the TC RRs are more durable w/o a doubt.....Fred
 
2FG said:
Are there any concerns with Delrin embedding grit in ramrods like with fiberglass? I know the material itself is non abrasive and I assume very hard? I have a Delrin rod for my Deerstalker and am looking for one for my crockett 32. I normally use a crown protector bore guide but I want a ramrod that wont wear down my muzzle.

I use Delrin and used to make and sell rods made from it. Advantages include resistance to picking up dirt, strength and not damaging to barrel. Some do not like it because it is flexible. I counter that by saying, if you use your rod properly, flex is not an issue. e.g. grab low, not way high. That is a good rule regardless of rod material. Another important consideration is the unbreakable feature makes is much safer to use than any wood rod. It should be just perfect for yer .32.
 
If you are concerned about wear using a Delrin rod consider this....

The softer the material a rod is, the more easily it can be embedded with grit. Also, the more flexible a rod is, the more bore to rod contact you will have....

Delrin excels in both those areas.


At the range, I prefer a brass or steel range rods with a muzzle guide.

On my gun I use wooden ramrods for the feel, fit, weight, aesthetics, and authenticity.
 
The best ramrod I have found is to make your own out of Gold Tip traditional wood grain carbon fiber arrow shafts. They have a slick wood grain coating on them, are extremely durable and are nice and stiff. Also they are very light and will not collect grit to damage your bore. Most people see it and think it is real wood. :thumbsup:
 
Boomerang said:
The best ramrod I have found is to make your own out of Gold Tip traditional wood grain carbon fiber arrow shafts. They have a slick wood grain coating on them, are extremely durable and are nice and stiff. Also they are very light and will not collect grit to damage your bore. Most people see it and think it is real wood. :thumbsup:


Where do you get the 42” shafts?
 
I have a couple of Delrin rods. I’ve used them for many years. They are flexible, but not enough to cause me any concern. If use then in .50 cal and .45 cal guns. I usually wipe the rods lightly after each loading. That’s just a habit I do with all of the rods I have and use. No grit to worry about.

If you have a TAP Plastics store nearby, stop in and take a look at the Delrin. It might be too small in diameter to work with easily for your caliber. But a look won’t cost you anything...
 
Yes the Delrin rods are real flexible which to me makes them uncomfortable to use but with that said they still do the job they are suppose to. I always wipe my rods down when I clean my guns no matter what they are made of.
 
Couldn’t agree more about the TC ramrods. Have four of them for various guns. The TC guns I have traded or sold always leave with something other than the TC rod. Wish I could find them in different (longer) lengths.

The only ”˜damage’ I have personally witnessed from ramrods was in an unmentionable made around 1985 (stainless barrel), even though it didn’t impact accuracy. Even with a rod guide, there was evidence of ware (shiney areas on rifling) after using a delrin rod that at best was like pushing a rope.

Not a fan of flexible delrin ram rods.

Now, where do I find Gold Tip traditional wood grain carbon fiber arrow shafts up to 40” long? A quick search found them maxing out at 30”.
 
Think about sandpaper. Hard material (aluminum oxide for example) embedded in softer material. (paper or delrin) rubbing against harder material ( barrel steel for example). And the winner is??
 
They come around 31 or 32 inches long which works for my GPR and for my 42" southern rifle, I glue 2 together cut to the right length. The inside diameter is .246". So you can take a 1/4" brass rod and cut about 2" off of it and sand it down to .246". Then use that as an insert to glue the two shafts together.
Works great!
 
I have 1 delrin and several wood rods that came in the guns. For range use, I have a sturdy brass 3/8" rod with a T handle. I slide the brass rod into a high grade teflon shrink tube and set it with a hair dryer. The rod is now very close to the diameter of a 50 caliber bore. It won't wear the muzzle and is super stiff and tough for hard usage. When hunting afield I load before leaving camp. I only use the rods in the guns if there is a need for a second loading, which is very rare when deer hunting. I only shoot one deer at a time and get the carcass stripped and hanging back at camp (or lodge) before going back out.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/iFu3RuprboZ8at4Q7
 

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