Does anybody have any links or know of distributors of wooden ramrods for logrifles? After a long hiatus from muzzleloading, I am deciding to get back into it. I have two flintlock longrifles (a Dixie/Pedersoli PA in 45 and a custom built lefty in 45 cal) that both need new ramrods. I have tried the 9mm diameter from TOW and those are still too large in diameter to fit into the entry pipes on my rifles. I know that many (NMLRA) primitive matches forbid aluminum or synthetic/fiberglass/plasic rods. Even checking Pedersoli's website shows aluminum or synthetic replacements. Whats their beef with synthetic rods? it would seem safer than having a wood rod break and go through your hand (broken a few wooden rods and narrowly avoided piercing through my own).
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replacement wooden ramrods?
- Thread starter chazz75
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Shot deer
40 Cal
NMLRA probably doesn't like synthetic ramrods for it would lack in historical accuracy. Synthetic ramrods are safer as I know, but I do not know of any distributors of wooden ramrods. Someone else might have a link though, and keep searching "muzzleloader" stores for they might make ramrods. Good luck!
Shot deer
40 Cal
For primitive/rendezvous use a wood rod is often required. But, for the rest of your shooting (casual, range, hunting, etc.) I recommend a synthetic rod like Delrin. Glad to see you are safety conscious. Good, straight grained hickory rods are hard come by these days. I hope Log Cabin can help you. On the range many shooters use a dedicated rod with a handle. Often these are made of brass or some other unbreakable material. I have used brass, stainless steel, Delrin, cold rolled steel and even wood. As for fitting to your rifle, it is common, practical and historically correct to scrape your rod to a taper that will go in your fittings. Many ways to do this. It can be a nice evening project for you to give your wife something to vacuum up. 
Sicilian Hunter
32 Cal.
Would a brass ram rod be a likely PC replacement?
Just think they'd be more durable than wood but probably not as cheap
The Sicilian
Just think they'd be more durable than wood but probably not as cheap
The Sicilian
Shot deer
40 Cal
Take your guns to the log cabin, and see what they say.
Here in NE Ohio, the snow is starting to melt, so like you said, might wait til' spring.
Here in NE Ohio, the snow is starting to melt, so like you said, might wait til' spring.
Brass would be acceptable, but would really increase the weight of the gun. I have a brass rod in my hawken, and I find that helps with recoil a bit. That is about the limit to extra weight I could handle. Brass in a longrifle, doable but probably extremely heavy.
Black Hand
Cannon
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A potential replacement - Yes.
PC/HC - No...
You say 9mm is to large for your pipes. 1/2 an hour with some sand paper will cure that. Or, take off one of you pipes, scrape the rod till it stats to fit. Scrape and move pipe until up, then hit with a few swipes of sand paper held in your hand. Easy peezy
Scrape the oversize rod(s) you have down to the needed diameter- leaving the threaded end large. A tapered rod not only fits the thimbles but gives you an advantage when pushing the patched ball in.
One method is to clamp a pair of scissors open 45 degrees in a vice and pull the rod through. You can also "correct" some minor grain run-out as you work the diameter down.
Ooop - Tenngun beat me; but with a different method. ;-)
One method is to clamp a pair of scissors open 45 degrees in a vice and pull the rod through. You can also "correct" some minor grain run-out as you work the diameter down.
Ooop - Tenngun beat me; but with a different method. ;-)
More then one skinless kitty out there, scissors is s neat idea.
Broken glass bottle makes a very effective scraper. Knew an old man back in the seventies that would use nothing else on a figured walnut stock.
Dave
Dave
Sicilian Hunter
32 Cal.
Chazz,
Thanks ! I hadn't thought about weight or balance
Sicilian Hunter
32 Cal.
Hand,
What do you think about a Charleville rod in a FdC ? Is that a PC likelihood?
Black Hand
Cannon
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Are you asking about a metal rod replacing a wood rod? Why?
Hickory rods are every bit as dependable as metal rods. There seems to be this overwhelming fear that wooden rods are out to get people and will break with the slightest provocation....
I'd just make a new ramrod or buy a tipped blank from track or the wolf. To thin down a fat rod I chuck it in a drill and run sand paper up and down the length while test fitting periodically. whole process takes ten minutes or so.
Metal rods are notorious for sliding out of the thimbles when carrying, especially on guns that had a wooden rod originally. Not to mention bouncing, slapping, vibrating, and wearing grooves in the thimbles. If it slides out when you're walking and bends you're still up a creek without a paddle.
I am surprised nobody said to measure the inside diameter of the ramrod pipe with a set of calipers. Then get a wood rod that will fit. Everyone is just guessing at the size. More information will help
