A good range rod

N.Y. Yankee · Jan 31, 2019

Would some one please suggest a good steel range rod that is capable of pulling a ball if needs be. I have had to do it once in my life and hope to not have to do it again, but you never know. Looking for the exact make and model and the correct screw for it as well. Thanks.

Melnic · Jan 31, 2019

Steel?

I really like the Aluminum and Brass ones I have.
The 3 pc Brass one I like cause I can do fit tests with it by inserting 1 section into the rifle then insert the patch ball and bang it back out by kinetic energy.
Its the "ultimate" one on this page
https://www.traditionsfirearms.com/category/Ramrods

Reduce it to one section and I used it for a 50 cal flint pistol

Baxter · Jan 31, 2019

Track of the Wolf sells some fine steel range rods that include the muzzle protector. I own two them and they work just fine. I am not certain that there is a choice of thread dimensions but I always choose 10-32 if the option exists.

Valkyrie · Jan 31, 2019

I made one. Easy.

5/16” cold rolled rod from HD or Lowe’s. Cut to whatever length you like. Drill and tap at the end for 10/32 threads. Add a piece of scrap wood for a handle and a $5 muzzle protector.

Done. Less than $15

Baxter · Jan 31, 2019

TOW sells all the fittings for its rods, including ball screws. The online catalog is extensive in its listings.

Rifleman1776 · Jan 31, 2019

Ox Yoke has a line of brass rods and accessories. I recently bought an unfinished one from them. Very hard and difficult to thread for a handle. Suggest you get a finished rod.

Stubert · Jan 31, 2019

I use an aluminum shot gun cleaning rod with a fixed, non rotating handle, you can get adapters to convert to any thread. Mine uses 10/32

Flint62Smoothie · Jan 31, 2019

I made mine like Valkyrie, but then made others using 'thick' wall brass tubing in 5/16" and 3/8" diameter sizes. Much handier! And they are just as strong too, as typically a good wall diameter hollow tubing will retain 95%+ of the strength at 60-75% of the weight. Translated ... the CENTER of the rod/shaft does NOTHING ...

The concept (as this one was a ramrod for the 'brass'-framed gun) with pictures, is shown here: https://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/threads/making-a-diy-hollow-brass-ramrod.25482/

atllaw · Feb 1, 2019

Stubert said:
I use an aluminum shotgun cleaning rod ...

Me also. Length is adjustable by adding or removing rod sections and different tips are available; like the ball seating tip I mostly use.

Rifleman1776 · Feb 1, 2019

Stubert said:
I use an aluminum shot gun cleaning rod with a fixed, non rotating handle, you can get adapters to convert to any thread. Mine uses 10/32

The white coating an aluminum rod acquires is aluminum oxide, the same material grinding/sharpening stones are made of. Almost as hard as diamond. Not wanted in my rifle barrels.

Idaholewis · Feb 2, 2019

October Country Solid Brass

http://www.octobercountry.com/bench-ramrod-with-wood-handle/

Grenadier1758 · Feb 3, 2019

You have gotten good information in spite of the fact that you didn't specify barrel length and caliber.

The catalog descriptions can be used for your specific rifle.

Griz44Mag · Feb 3, 2019

I ordered a 3/8 solid brass with a wood handle and 10/32 thread from October Country.
Best rod I ever bought or made.
It came with a muzzle cone.

Smokey Plainsman · Feb 4, 2019

Polished stainless steel, with a plastic or brass muzzle guide protector, is a must.

Grit, dirt, debris, fouling, residue, particles, and foreign materials become enlodgened in the soft brass and plastic ramrods, and this in turn become like a sanding paper to the bore. NEVER EVER use them, only properly hardened and mirror polished stainless steel is hard enough to keep from being embeddened with these tiny pieces.

FishDFly · Feb 4, 2019

Smokey Plainsman said:
Polished stainless steel, with a plastic or brass muzzle guide protector, is a must.

Grit, dirt, debris, fouling, residue, particles, and foreign materials become enlodgened in the soft brass and plastic ramrods, and this in turn become like a sanding paper to the bore. NEVER EVER use them, only properly hardened and mirror polished stainless steel is hard enough to keep from being embeddened with these tiny pieces.

If a person is using a plastic or brass muzzle guide protector on their range rod, how does a brass range rod, touch the crown of the barrel ??

The cleaning jag is larger than the diameter of the cleaning rod and the cleaning jag is surrounded by a cleaning patch. The rod is centered in the barrel (not touching), the guide protector centers the cleaning rod in the center of the crown of the barrel, (not touching).

Rifleman1776 · Feb 4, 2019

Smokey Plainsman said:
Grit, dirt, debris, fouling, residue, particles, and foreign materials become enlodgened in the soft brass and plastic ramrods

No offense but I politely submit that is baloney. I have never seen grit embedded in my wood, Delrin or brass rods. But, even so, I periodically wipe them with a damp cleaning patch.

Flintfan69 · Feb 4, 2019

Smokey Plainsman said:
Polished stainless steel, with a plastic or brass muzzle guide protector, is a must.

Grit, dirt, debris, fouling, residue, particles, and foreign materials become enlodgened in the soft brass and plastic ramrods, and this in turn become like a sanding paper to the bore. NEVER EVER use them, only properly hardened and mirror polished stainless steel is hard enough to keep from being embeddened with these tiny pieces.

This is advice to take to heart, and absolutely true. Even if you don't believe it, using a muzzle protector is extremely cheap insurance in case you are wrong.

FishDFly · Feb 4, 2019

Rifleman1776 said:
No offense but I politely submit that is baloney. I have never seen grit embedded in my wood, Delrin or brass rods. But, even so, I periodically wipe them with a damp cleaning patch.

Ditto.

Griz44Mag · Feb 4, 2019

Smokey Plainsman said:
Polished stainless steel, with a plastic or brass muzzle guide protector, is a must.

Grit, dirt, debris, fouling, residue, particles, and foreign materials become enlodgened in the soft brass and plastic ramrods, and this in turn become like a sanding paper to the bore. NEVER EVER use them, only properly hardened and mirror polished stainless steel is hard enough to keep from being embeddened with these tiny pieces.

Ever consider wiping your rod?
It's really easy.....
With a muzzle guide, you are not going to touch the rifling anyway...
I have brass rods I have used for decades, still just as slick and shiny as the day I bought them.
You will never convince me or be able to show "enlodgened" particles in a slick brass rod from being used in a gun barrel.

A good range rod

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