This thread was just run into the ground,you missed it?I have always heard of soaking a ramrod in kerosene. My question is, what advantage does this provide and how is the wood physical changed by the process?
I am thinking about this for a non ramrod project.
Thanks
Ironhand
Here's a true story an old frontiersman named Bartlet did this with his ram rod. It did make it so flexible and unbreakable. One day while tilling up his garden a group of Indians rode up on him. He shot the first one, quickly reloaded and forgot to pull the ramrod from the gun. He shot the next one, but the ramrod went flying out, instead of breaking it flexed like a boomerang. Bartlet seen it do this and quickly started reloading process, by the time he had powder patch and ball seated the ramrod returned to him. He grabbed it midflight rammed the ball home and shot the next one. The remaining Indians seen this and thought he was some sort of medicine man and had special powers and quickly left. So, there is some truth to it. Or maybe not I just made that up to fit the narrative. But it's a great story if nothing else.Yet another BP old wife's tale/myth/legend...
Enter now all the anecdotal tales of evidence how this made great-great-great-grandpappie's ramrod so limber yet strong he was able to speed reload pushing tight rifle loads down with one push while taking on half a tribe of natives and then using it as a springpole to polevault over the creek and up a ledge to escape.![]()
I've always thought the idea of soaking is to prevent drying and splintering as well as keep out moisture that would make a ramrod swell. I keep my ramrods waxed like the stock. Whatever the other project, probably best to treat the wood as normal for the task/function.I am thinking about this for a non ramrod project.
Thanks
Ironhand
You will have a sticky ramrod that physically smells like kerosene.My question is, what advantage does this provide and how is the wood physical changed by the process?