Ramrod dilema

[Tom A Hawk]

I'm gearing up for a new winter project and received an absolutely gorgeous early Lancaster stock the other day from Pecatonica. Its been inletted for a C profile .54 swamped barrel and I see the ramrod channel is bored for a 3/8" ramrod. All my other .54's have a 7/16" rod and I'm a little concerned the 3/8" may be a bit to wimpy for the .54 bore. What do you think? Should I open up the channel and re-bore to 7/16" or leave it as is?

 

[wvbuckbuster]

I have a 54 with a 3/8 ramrod and gives no trouble. Works for me but your call. Dan.

 

[EC121]

Depends on how tight the patch/ ball combo is.

 

[Larry (Omaha)]

I'm gearing up for a new winter project and received an absolutely gorgeous early Lancaster stock the other day from Pecatonica. Its been inletted for a C profile .54 swamped barrel and I see the ramrod channel is bored for a 3/8" ramrod. All my other .54's have a 7/16" rod and I'm a little concerned the 3/8" may be a bit to wimpy for the .54 bore. What do you think? Should I open up the channel and re-bore to 7/16" or leave it as is?

I have a blank stock 54 cal build with a 3/8" RR. Never had any issues, & is over 40 year old. Make sure to use straight grain Hickory and you are good to go.

 

[Eric Krewson]

I have three .54s, all have 3/8" ramrods, no problems. I do use a range rod for my day to day practice.

On a footnote; I just ordered 10 ramrod blanks from Dan Putz, best ramrod blanks I have ever seen. I only pulled one out of the pack so far to check it out, it may be the only ramrod blank I have ever had in my hands with perfectly straight grain running from one end to the other with no runout or grain swirls.

 

[Phil Coffins]

My ram rods in rifles with bores of 40, 50, 54, and 58 are all 3/8” and I load and sometimes clean with them. Haven’t had an issue with them yet but the 54 has been my primary rifle for target and matches for 35 years. Just grip short on the rod.

 

[tenngun]

We see most guns from that era with thinner ramrods then we oft use today. The secrets isn’t an extra 1/16 inch of wood it’s using the rod correctly, short strokes, don’t give the rod a place to bend

 

[Larry (Omaha)]

short strokes, don’t give the rod a place to bend

 

[longcruise]

I use 3/8" on 54 and 58 with no problem.

 

[Johnny Tremain]

Before I switched to indestructible ramrod, I used to break them in the 54 all the time.
I have since learned that using all natural lube and cleaners (TC +1000 products)
I have not broken once since. The 54 went with the last woman I had, so its her problem now, I built a 45 cal. It loads like butta.

 

[Tom A Hawk]

Thanks all for your input. I'll leave it as is.

Johnny - Watch out for guys named Dave and hot silver...

 

[jbwilliams3]

If the rod is tapered like period rods, you can have a wider loading end (that sticks out near the bore when in the threads and with the skinny tip threaded. 3/8" is fine. Ideally, I like 716" for the fat end tapered to 3/8" or even 5/16" depending on whether or not it cal clear that front lock bolt.

 

[old ugly]

i have a 3/8 ramrod, or should i say had, in my 54 with a long barrel. it worked fine until the one time i did not pay attention and grabbed it too high, it flexed and broke, was not a fault of the calibre or ramrod thickness, it was my stupidity.
i would leave it 3/8 and if you are concerned buy an unbreakable rod for range use.
ou
tom