Best material for range rods ?

[kyron4]

Been using a CVA "unbreakable" rod with a brass muzzle guard and wood palm saver as my range rod. It's made of some kind of black semi rigid plastic and works well for the most pat loading and cleaning. I found a piece of 3/8" plated steel in the shop that was perfectly 3 feet long and thought I'd drill and tap the ends to make a steel ramrod with brass muzzle guard and spinning wood handle. Being steel it has zero flex has a heavy solid feel to it. If a muzzle guard is used does it make much difference in material of the rod ? Are there advantages or disadvantages with different rods ? Is a rod a rod ?-Thanks

 

[bang]

Don't use anything harder or as hard as the barrel.

 

[Phil Coffins]

Steel is the best rod material, it has less flex and being hard means it stays clean. Soft material will allow dirt and grit to embed in it making it easier to erode your bore.

 

[rchas]

Doesn't have to be rocket science. I picked up a 1/4 and a 3/8 cold rolled steel rods. Then cut off a piece, silver soldered it to the end as a t - handle, and drilled and tapped the other end. With a muzzle protector on each, i'm good to go. I use the 1/4 rod on my .32, .36 and .40 rifles, and the 3/8 on everything else.

 

[rafterob]

Stainless steel is my preferred rod. With a muzzle guard there are no worries of potential barrel damage.

 

[oldwood]

I carry a home brew 3/16" steel range rod , with an 8/32" adapter on one end for the selected appliance , and a metal knob on the other end. The rod has a bore protector floating between the ends , as well,. This rod is rarely used , as I will not admit to correcting a dry ball situation , unless it's for another shooter. I seldom use the original wood rod from a gun , and save it for hunting , so use a wood rod at the range for loading and wipeing. The home brew range rod cost about $ 10 + the bore protector ,and an assortment of tips to fit different calibers.

 

[doubleset]

I use brass range rods for both my .50 (3 piece rod) and my .32 (1 piece rod). Neither seems to flex at all. I've used the plastic ones in the past, but don't like how they flex (especially if using a ball puller). I think they're okay (if of the correct material), but just don't care for the "feel" of them. I'd be happy to use steel (and do for my contemporary guns, if not using a pull-through patch cleaner), but I just like the brass a bit better. I don't use a bore protector on my ML rods. Just don't see the need for it, especially with the brass rod. If I were using steel, I'd probably use a bore protector. But I could be all wet about that in both cases.

 

[andy52]

I use brass range rods for both my .50 (3 piece rod) and my .32 (1 piece rod). Neither seems to flex at all. I've used the plastic ones in the past, but don't like how they flex (especially if using a ball puller). I think they're okay (if of the correct material), but just don't care for the "feel" of them. I'd be happy to use steel (and do for my contemporary guns, if not using a pull-through patch cleaner), but I just like the brass a bit better. I don't use a bore protector on my ML rods. Just don't see the need for it, especially with the brass rod. If I were using steel, I'd probably use a bore protector. But I could be all wet about that in both cases.

X2
^^^^^^^

 

[mushka]

I bought a steel 3/8" rod from TOTW and with a muzzle protector it gets used for everything. Loading,cleaning. Only thing is that the .32 and the .36 cal. jags will slip through the muzzle protector if care isn't taken when removing the rod from the barrel.

 

[hanshi]

I have rods made of aluminum, coated fiberglass, and steel. I almost always use the two 1/4" ss rods exclusively for cleaning, etc. In the woods and at the range I load with the wood underbarrel rod more often than not. All, except the wood rods, have muzzle guards of brass or plastic.

 

[TreeMan]

Brass for me.

 

[Rock Home Isle]

Track of the Wolf has a steel range rod. I use a brass muzzle bushing, threaded cleaning jags…this is a solid product.

Sadly…since COVID, I’ve started dry-balling. I think I dry-balled maybe 5 times in 35+ years suddenly I’m dry-balling everyother weekend.

So I braized a nut up tight against the wooden handle of Track’s steel range rod…works like a champ…I can remove a dry-ball quickly and easily.

 

[SDSmlf]

I think I dry-balled maybe 5 times in 35+ years suddenly I’m dry-balling everyother weekend.

Could have something to do with your born on date.

 

[granth]

Been using a CVA "unbreakable" rod with a brass muzzle guard and wood palm saver as my range rod. It's made of some kind of black semi rigid plastic and works well for the most pat loading and cleaning. I found a piece of 3/8" plated steel in the shop that was perfectly 3 feet long and thought I'd drill and tap the ends to make a steel ramrod with brass muzzle guard and spinning wood handle. Being steel it has zero flex has a heavy solid feel to it. If a muzzle guard is used does it make much difference in material of the rod ? Are there advantages or disadvantages with different rods ? Is a rod a rod ?-Thanks

Last time I shot, I used 2 rods. I used a TOW Creedmoor steel rod and a synthetic walnut rod. Personally, I liked the steel rod more.

 

[SamTex1949]

.50 cal M2 cleaning rod with a simple tapered brass fitting from the plumbing section of Lowes.

 

[B P Maniac Shooter]

I use fiberglass..haven't broke one yet.

 

[doubleset]

I use fiberglass..haven't broke one yet.

Fiberglass? Or Delrin? Fiberglass is known to be highly abrasive.

 

[Rock Home Isle]

.50 cal M2 cleaning rod with a simple tapered brass fitting from the plumbing section of Lowes.

I have looked all over for one of these to use as a range rod. I could never find one, gave up and bought a range rod from Track of the Wolf.

 

[B P Maniac Shooter]

Fiberglass? Or Delrin? Fiberglass is known to be highly abrasive.

Fiberglass. Those delrin rods are too flexible & slick for me.
The abrasive thing doesn't bother me.
I have one of my older guns coned already.

 

[doubleset]

Those delrin rods are too flexible & slick for me.

Definitely with you on that.