Need a range rod.

Picked up my 1st percussion BP rifle this last Christmas - 54 cal, left hand, Lyman Great Plains Rifle. Was using the included ram rod for shooting and cleaning. Would like to pick up a range rod. Any recommendations for off the shelf?

DIY is out given where I work.

My GPR is a RH .54, a great all purpose caliber.

3/8" brass with a T handle and muzzle guide.
OR
3/8" brass with a T handle and sleeved with a teflon shrink tube.

TOTW and many other vendors can fix you up.
A range rod is really nice when you are going to be shooting more than a couple of balls.

My GPR is my favorite plinking and hunting gun now, treat her right and she will feed you like a King.

Track of the Wolf Ramrod. This also comes in 8-32 threaded tip.

Muzzle Loader Builders' Supply Cleaning Rod 43360. Of course choose the tip threading for your rifle.

October Country Bench Ramrod: Selectyour options.

track of the wolf, possibles shop dot com. Get something with a handle. Also order all your Jags and accessories to be compatible with the threading. I order 2 or 3 of the same jag that you use the most (ramrod cleaning jag). Believe it or not there easy to unscrew and lose at the range. Get something good that will last.

Grenadier1758 said:

Track of the Wolf Ramrod. This also comes in 8-32 threaded tip.

Muzzle Loader Builders' Supply Cleaning Rod 43360. Of course choose the tip threading for your rifle.

October Country Bench Ramrod: Selectyour options.

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Ditto on those recommendations. But don't :nono: get the break down model. They just may not have the strength to last.

On a side note, have you checked the serial number on your rifle to see if it is in the recall?

Lyman Products Corp. (“Lyman”) is voluntarily recalling black powder rifles and pistols due to the potential of separation in the breech plug. Lyman maintains a safety-first approach, so despite finding only a few firearms affected and no reported injuries, we are offering a recall program to have the issue corrected. Lyman regrets the inconvenience but remains committed to the safety of our customers.

This recall includes black powder rifles and pistols regardless of caliber (including Deerstalker, Great Plains, Great Plains Hunter, Trade Rifle, Plains Pistol, Black Powder Kits, and replacement barrels; excluding Percussion Left Hand Great Plains and Left Hand Great Plains Hunter models) manufactured from March 1, 2017 to December 22, 2017. Barrels with the serial number in the range of A595960”“A599026 are subject to this recall.

Thanks gents.

This one is is from the time period of the recall but being left handed isn't included.

October Country solid brass rod.

Hell for stout. Won't rust. Won't erodethe bore (keep it wiped down). Has some weight on to it for firmly seating a stubborn missile.

Keep it simple. Suitable length of brass rod with a bored out wooden drawer pull epoxied on the end. Grind a hemispherical dent in the other end if you want to look clever. All easy DIY.

I use a 3/8 by 36 inch brass rod. I've had it about 50 years. Works great.

Drill and tap it to take tips and you're all set.

The one from October Country comes in handy for pulling stuck balls. One of the few rods I'd truly trust for the job.

When buying a "BRASS " rod be prepared for price shock! :shocked2: I think it is alloyed with gold.
Stainless is cheaper, but not as heavy.
I have made several for friends with stainless and they were happy with them.
Here is a tip that helps a lot.
Screw in an undersized brass brush ( a .45 for a .50, or a .50 brush for a .54 ) then put your wet or dry patch over the brush.
You will never have the patch come off, and the wire bristles stick through the patch material and scrubs the bore.
As we all know NEVER ever use a brush of bore size in a muzzle loader or you will not be shooting for some time, until you get the stuck brush out of your barrel.
Fred

Thanks for the tip on the undersized brush. Didn't know that!

When buying a "BRASS " rod be prepared for price shock!

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Actually, those brass made up rods are in the $20 to $25 price range. Not bad.
A 48" X 3/8" hunk of brass rod costs about $15.00.
As you know, I'm a do it yerself advocate. But drobs said he is not able to do that where he is currently working.

http://www.periodramrod.com/ http://www.octobercountry.com/categories/Ramrods/

Last Sundays trip to the range showed that I did the right thing when I got the TOTW 5/16 steel ramrod, long, when I had my powder only, no pbr shot. Fouled the barrel really badly but the steel rod was able to force the pbr down the barrel all the way. Without it I would have been in deep kaka.

48" x 3/8" brass rod with T-handle from RMC:
http://www.rmcoxyoke.com/inc/sdetail/brass_range_ramrod_with...

muzzle protector from Track of the Wolf:
https://www.trackofthewolf.com/List/Item.aspx/846/1/RG-6

drobs said:

Would like to pick up a range rod. Any recommendations for off the shelf? DIY is out given where I work.

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Half inch oak dowel...

45-ish years ago, I bought a range rod from a rendezvous vendor.... 3/8 cold rolled mild steel rod with a wooden door knob sized pommel on top and brass muzzle guide....

Best money I ever spent.

That rod has seen unimaginable abuse, and is still going strong.

I have made a few out of the cold rolled as well and they serve well. If you fear corrosion the nickel plated rod is practical too.