Congrats, Scott.
That shoddy ramrod will suffice until you can get an upgraded one. Being is constructed from metallic material, I doubt it would break or go through one’s hand. However, there’s no doubt it’s way undersized, rattles and is a very poor excuse for a ramrod.
Your options are:
1. Order and build up a hickory ramrod from TOTW. All you need is one end. They are easy to build up.
2. Order a brass ramrod from October Country or the Log Cabin Shop. I prefer to do business with October Country. Small business and great people that make their own stuff.
Personally, for that rifle, I wouldn’t consider a fiberglass ramrod.
If you choose to shoot .310 swagged RB and .018 pillow ticking, it will be a snug fit but doable with a hickory ramrod. Anything tighter and you will be best served with a brass ramrod.
The last batch of pillow ticking I got from October Country is great. After washing it and allowing it to dry, I lubed my self cut patches with TOTW Mink Oil. I go heavy on the lube and found that with a .310 RB, I can shoot several times and still reload easily. However, I prefer to run one or two damp cleaning patches with Windex on them down the bore after 2-3 shots anyway IF the situation permits. **Cut those moist patches a little smaller**. For whatever reason, they tend to bind up if they are the same size as the other cleaning patches. In fact, it would behoove you cut all cleaning patches a little on the smaller size. You will thank me later.
20 grains of 3F will most likely be your optimum charge.
