Fiberglass Ram Rod for Kibler Colonial

[oldhunter1954]

I am glad that I saw this post. I have several fiberglass ramrods from unmentionables. I was not aware that they can damage the barrel?

 

[Grenadier1758]

I made the following post in 2016. While there may have been improvements in coverings for fiberglass rods, I don't think that I will be giving up my hickory or brass rods anytime soon.

When I started out, I knew that I needed a good working rod to use at the range and to save the wooden rod that came with my T/C Hawken. No internet to ask questions that long ago. My best research seemed to indicate that a fiberglass offered the stiffness and resistance to breakage that would make a good range rod. The outer surface was quite smooth. I did get the brass funnel muzzle protector as I felt that having the rod centered in the bore and away from the metal at the muzzle. At first the muzzle protector would stay on the rod, stopped by the jag. At the end of three months, the muzzle protector was falling off when I withdrew the range rod. I then got a stainless steel rod for cleaning and loading.

Guess which muzzle protector was used for three months with a fiberglass ramrod and which muzzle protector has been used for 25 years with a brass range rod. Both started out with a 3/8" diameter hole for the rod.

No fiberglass ramrods for me even with shrink tubing applied. The safety is more than adequately addressed by the strength of my brass or steel range rods. Yes, all have muzzle protectors except for the steel rod in my Brown Bess.

 

[stink koat]

I have seen fiberglass rods cause excessive wear on metal. I do not recommend a fiberglass ram rod.

Yes, fiberglass will WEAR OUT the rifling at the muzzle, DO NOT USE A FIBERGLASS RAMROD PERIOD!

 

[LME]

Amen!

You are dead on! Fiberglass is very abrasive.It will never go down a rifle barrel of mine. I have a home made brass one it is a lot softer than steel and puts very little wear on the barrel.I have used it since the eighties with no problem. My ML shoots just as accurate now as it did when I bought it. If there is any crown wear I haven't found it?Brass ages well and looks like it came with the rifle. Its the only rod I use.

 

[coloradoclyde]

Just as you have to learn how to shoot, and clean a muzzleloader, one must learn how to properly use a wooden ramrod.
It's all part of the game.
No cheating allowed.

 

[Omahkapi'si]

I bought a nice fiberglass range rod for my Frontier. The black rubber coating started to slide on it and crumple up so I thought why not just cut it off. After running my hand up and down the fiberglass a few times I understood why it had a rubber coating...now it has duct tape on it. At 64 yrs old still learning a few things the hard way.

 

[Pete G]

When I get a new rifle, I order half dozen rods with it. Lifetime supply, as I rarely need to replace the first.

ADK Bigfoot

If I did that I would have about eight or nine dozen ramrods...

 

[Col. Batguano]

Do you do a LOT of shooting out in the woods away from the convenience of carrying your whole caboodle with you? If so, you might try contacting these folks. They make a wooden ram rod with a steel center.

Virtually Indestructible Ramrod
R.D. Brandt & Assoc. Inc.
2504 Commonwealth Ave.
San Diego, CA 92104

Phone: 619-283-6659 [email protected]

 

[mooman76]

I bought a nice fiberglass range rod for my Frontier. The black rubber coating started to slide on it and crumple up so I thought why not just cut it off. After running my hand up and down the fiberglass a few times I understood why it had a rubber coating...now it has duct tape on it. At 64 yrs old still learning a few things the hard way.

I have a ML that came with a fiberglass rod. I could felt the slivers so I coated it with a polymer coating. I would not buy one but I already have it and that gun gets very little use. I make sure the rod doesn't touch the sides. Some day I'll get hickory rods for all my guns.

 

[ohio ramrod]

The bevel brothers (muzzle Blasts ) ran some test a few years back testing fiberglass, steel, and wooden ramrods for wearing the barrel. In their tests the wooden rods embedded with dirt were the worst for wearing barrels,steel rods were next, and fiberglass rods wore the barrels least. They use a fiber glass rod made from stock intended for ramrods, not fiberglass electrick fence post stock which is very abrasive. I have used the brown fiberglass stock that Dixie sells for over twenty years with no problems. Any rods will wear the barrel if not used properly,Any will be safe to use if used properly!

 

[ApprenticeBuilder]

The bevel brothers (muzzle Blasts ) ran some test a few years back testing fiberglass, steel, and wooden ramrods for wearing the barrel. In their tests the wooden rods embedded with dirt were the worst for wearing barrels,steel rods were next, and fiberglass rods wore the barrels least.

Just love it when facts win out over emotions.

 

[TarponStalker]

The bevel brothers (muzzle Blasts ) ran some test a few years back testing fiberglass, steel, and wooden ramrods for wearing the barrel. In their tests the wooden rods embedded with dirt were the worst for wearing barrels,steel rods were next, and fiberglass rods wore the barrels least. They use a fiber glass rod made from stock intended for ramrods, not fiberglass electrick fence post stock which is very abrasive. I have used the brown fiberglass stock that Dixie sells for over twenty years with no problems. Any rods will wear the barrel if not used properly,Any will be safe to use if used properly!

I’ve got two of those rods. Been using them for years. I don’t know what they’re coated with. I’ve always wondered how long it takes for Fiberglass to wear steel and are we talking rough glass? Truthfully I’ve always been skeptical when I’ve heard it. But that doesn't mean it’s not true.

 

[ApprenticeBuilder]

I like to shoot out in the woods on my property and was wondering does anyone make a replacement ramrod to protect my wood one.

I fit and use a delrin rod for my personal muzzle loaders, being that it's black it blends okay when in the pipes and if used properly (don't choke up to high) works well, also like the fact that mine have the screw type ball puller under the patch jag, very convenient on the trail walks for when folks forget the golden rule, powder, patch, ball.

 

[Grenadier1758]

This picture shows what the Dixie fiberglass ramrod did over 30 years ago to a brass muzzle guard in six months. I'm still using the other one with a brass loading rod. Both muzzle guards were 3/8".

 

[LME]

Just love it when facts win out over emotions.

That is the very reason I went to a brass rod. You can wipe a brass rod off but grit sticks in wood.

 

[Col. Batguano]

I use a stainless steel range rod for 99% of my shooting. For the few times I need another, I'll just use the wooden one under the barrel. The only time I ever need to reload in the woods are when I'm at an event and carrying the range rod would be impractical. Big game hunting it would be highly unusual to ever get (or need) a second shot in a day, but if I ever do, I will use it.

 

[TarponStalker]

I’ve got two of those rods. Been using them for years. I don’t know what they’re coated with. I’ve always wondered how long it takes for Fiberglass to wear steel and are we talking rough glass? Truthfully I’ve always been skeptical when I’ve heard it. But that doesn't mean it’s not true.

By the way. I always use the hickory rods that come with the rifle to load. I’ve never had any issues with wood. I only grab about 8-12 inches with each push of the ball. I’ve seen videos that make me cringe when guys reach to the top of the rod to ram the ball home. The only time I use my glass rods are to cleanup after shooting.
I once had a .32 cal ball starter snap and make its way well into my palm. Not pleasant.

 

[B P Maniac Shooter]

The bevel brothers (muzzle Blasts ) ran some test a few years back testing fiberglass, steel, and wooden ramrods for wearing the barrel. In their tests the wooden rods embedded with dirt were the worst for wearing barrels,steel rods were next, and fiberglass rods wore the barrels least. They use a fiber glass rod made from stock intended for ramrods, not fiberglass electrick fence post stock which is very abrasive. I have used the brown fiberglass stock that Dixie sells for over twenty years with no problems. Any rods will wear the barrel if not used properly,Any will be safe to use if used properly!

I prefer using a rod in the thimbles. I hate carrying extra stuff while shooting. I use fiberglass rods all the time. Got tired of breaking and splitting wooden rods. Regarding slivers in hands, I spray polyurethane on my rods every few months. Stops the sliver problem. The only place a fiberglass rod touches the barrel is at the cone and I don't have a problem with that.

 

[Hawken1980]

Do you do a LOT of shooting out in the woods away from the convenience of carrying your whole caboodle with you? If so, you might try contacting these folks. They make a wooden ram rod with a steel center.

Virtually Indestructible Ramrod
R.D. Brandt & Assoc. Inc.
2504 Commonwealth Ave.
San Diego, CA 92104

Phone: 619-283-6659 [email protected]

Sure do I’m blessed with land to shoot on and 8700 acres of public land to hunt on in walking distance.

 

[rickpa]

There are several things I'll never put down a barrel. Hydrogen peroxide, aluminum ram rod, fiberglass ramrod. I use the gun's hickory rod when hunting and have a brass range rod. The secret no one has mentioned is to keep your rod CLEAN. Any rod can be abrasive if you allow dirt and crud to remain on it. Finish your wood rod to make it easier to keep clean and then KEEP it clean.......... Now I'm sure some are asking about the things I'll never put down a barrel. Hydrogen peroxide is an oxidant. It causes rust. Have I ever had a problem with that or do I know of others that have? No. But I'm still not going to use it.......... Aluminum ramrod. Aluminum wil also oxidize. Aluminum oxide is what is used as an abrasive, think of alox paper used for finishing wood and metal............Fiberglass rod. Never used one, don't know anyone personally that has but I have heard too many instances where others have had problems. Do I want to find out first hand that there's a problem, using my expensive barrels to find out? No.......... But that's just me. You're free to disagree. I'll still do what has worked for me in the past. PS If you want a cheap bore guard, check out the plumbing supply section for those cone shaped seals used in water pipes. 3/8 size will fit most ramrods.