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Rod distinction

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wiksmo

40 Cal
Joined
Jul 7, 2019
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Reading about muzzleloading rods on this forum, and at manufacturers' web sites, I have not understood various names or terms used.

What is the distinction between these?
~~Range rod
~~Field rod
~~Ram rod

And are there other names?
Do they have different uses?

TIA.
wiksmo
 
To me Ram Rod is what comes with the rifle.
My Range Rods are home built and at least 6 inches longer than my ram rod and are usually larger diameter than the ram rod. Makes it easier to load at the bench.
Field Rod, to me is a question mark. Never heard that term before.
 
A ramrod is original equipment or a replacement of such the rod that is designed to fit under the barrel.

Range rod is a longer rod with an attached pommel. Usually made of steel, or other metal, designed to load, clean and remove stuck balls with ease. Some guys make range rods out of wood or synthetic materials but the purpose is the same. They are meant to be tough. They also usually have a bore guide on them. They tend to be used "at the range".

To me, the best description of a "field rod" would be what Britsmoothy carries. Essentially a modified range rod that you carry with you. Though I have seen some take down rods but, you will not catch me using one. Some guys make a hybrid rod that still fits under the barrel but is longer.
 
Many old guns, even in large bores ran fairly small rods. A 3/8 rod in a .54 or bigger feels small, and you have plenty of room for a bigger rod.
Rods sold on some guns might be out of a wood that breaks easy.
On some guns like a Brown Bess have a thin metal rod. These were made to ram home a loose military cartridge but today’s shooters often run a tighter fitting ball home. So it’s easier to use a thicker wad.
It was not uncommon for folks to have a wiping stick as an extra rod, often thicker then the guns ramrod. An original range rod, or field rod.
Handy in the field as you can use it and the ram rod to make an improvised cross stick.
You can carry it in your bore provided you remove it before shooting.
Folks today often have aluminum or wood rod fitted with a T handle and be six or eight inches longer then the bore.
 
Appreciate the helpful comments on all three rod names I listed. From your descriptions and how each could be used, I see that I'm not needing any different rod. Good to know.
:ThankYou:
wiksmo
 
I use a field rod made of Delrin for my Manton repro by Artax, it has no built in rammer.
You can see it and the pommel in this photo between Jess and the gun.
IMG_20170910_181755846.jpg
 
What is the distinction between these?
~~Range rod
~~Field rod
~~Ram rod

Ramrod - the rod that is made for the muzzleloading gun or rifle, which is used to load the piece, whether original or a reproduction of an original gun/rifle or style of gun or rifle, and it is fitted and stored on the rifle/gun.

"Rammer"-- slang term for ramrod, and often heard among living history participants who recreate a soldier... included as a response to the OP as one sometimes hears this term..., so included to avoid confusion in the future....

Range Rod - usually a rod made of highly durable, modern-ish materials such as Delrin, steel, nylon,fiberglass, or brass (hence "modernish" as brass or steel are very old metals). The rod is used instead of a more fragile wooden ramrod when the shooter is at the range (hence the name) for loading and other tasks. Most commonly they are also longer than the proper ramrod for the gun/rifle, and are easier to grip and use.

Field Rod - similar to a range rod these are often made of a material other than wood and thus are more durable, and are used when hunting "in the field" so the shooters does not damage or break the proper ramrod that is normally displayed on the gun/rifle. These tend to be fitted and carried as a replacement for the traditional wooden ramrod when in the field. The smaller the caliber of the rifle, for example, the more fragile the ramrod, and thus one often sees those using .36 or .32 rifles for hunting, having a field rod made of material more durable than wood.

LD
 
Appreciate the helpful comments on all three rod names I listed. From your descriptions and how each could be used, I see that I'm not needing any different rod. Good to know.
:ThankYou:
wiksmo

They are all "ram rods". Some made and used for a specific reason might be called 'range rod' or 'field rod' or whatever.
 
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