Aluminum Ramrods

[Landngroove]

What is the general feeling on aluminum ramrods? I thought about getting one to use as a range/cleaning rod, but I feel that an aluminun rod could damage the muzzle crown, or scratch the bore. I had a T/C aluminum rod for one of my T/C White Mountain Carbines, but it has serrated rings on the end, and these seem to be abrasive, when going into the bore. I replaced this rod with a wooden one. Also I don't like the looks of the aluminum rods either.

 

[roundball]

"...I feel that an aluminun rod could damage the muzzle crown, or scratch the bore.
Also I don't like the looks of the aluminum rods either..."

I agree...I personally won't use any hard ramrod without a muzzle guide...Builder's Supply has some excellent, inexpensive nylon muzzleguides.

I use brass rods for hunting and carry the appropriate sized cleaning jag with one of those nylon muzzleguides slid onto it in my pocket...lightweight and totally quiet.

 

[Stumpkiller]

As I remember the matter: aluminum is soft enough to pick up grit, but too hard to allow it to compress. This means aluminum holds the grit against the barrel metal where it can work on it. Worst of all worlds.

 

[paulvallandigham]

If you are willing to wipe the aluminum rod off after each use, and always use a bore guide, you can use them. Short of these two requirements, you only wear away the muzzle and destroy the accuracy of a rifle in short order.

 

[CrackStock]

I like my stainless steel rod with a bore guide. I would have no particular problem with aluminum provided one used a bore guide.

CS

 

[Old Ironsights]

Well, being the generally onery contrairian cuss that I am, I don't have too many issues with them - wih a couple of caveats:

#1 - Like Paul said.

#2 - My Range Rod is Polymer with brass fittings. That's what I use most. (Black Polymer & stainless steel... That's Me! :winking: )

When I got my Firestorm I ditched the hollow ramrod and got their solid variant. I wanted somthing a bit stiffer/less likely to bend accidentially in the field. That said, it virtually never leaves the thimbles for all of the above reasons, plus it's really too short to use all day.

 

[OTHERN]

Aluminum rods that are not coated do in my experience pick up a lot of grit and I would not recommend them. I have found a rod that is coated and is in my experience cleaner than any other rod I have used including stainless. [url] http://www.aramrod.com/ramrods/bench_rods.html[/url] I have used one of these for 7 yrs and the coating is still intact and the rod is far less gritty than others I have.

Othern

 

[Mad Professor]

Aluminum arrows make nice ramrods. The threaded inserts will fit the cleaning jag, they are anodized (coated), availibe in a number of colors, and most archery shops can cut you up one to size and install the inserts in a few minutes. If you use an arrow with a stiff spine they are also quite stong while still being very light.

 

[Slake]

I wouldn't hesitate to use one. I use a solid brass range rod and I love it. I started to use a bore guide with it and then quickly realized I didn't need it as the rod is so solid it doesn't come close to rubbin the crown, as long as I pay attention to what I'm doing

 

[Zonie]

Speaking of Anodizing, it is a process which just speeds up what nature will do to aluminum.
The manufacturer can add dyes to it to make pretty colors but with, or without the colors it still is a process that creates Aluminum Oxide rapidly.

As I mentioned, even without Anodizing, the Aluminum Oxide will occure naturally from the reaction between the aluminum and the oxygen in the air.

Something to remember about Aluminum Oxide. It makes an excellent electrical resistor and more importantly to us Muzzleloaders, it makes great Sand Paper.
Aluminum Oxide is harder than steel and given a chanch it will wear the steel.

As others have mentioned, aluminum can also become contaminated with dirt/sand and grit, but then, so can wood.
If you use a rod guide, there is no problem with aluminum, but without it, IMO, your asking for trouble.

Another problem with aluminum is that most of the cleaning rods made from it do not use the high strength, heat treated alloys (like 6061-T6).
The softer, weaker aluminums threads will wear rapidly creating the possibility that a cleaning jag or ball screw can be lost down the bore.
In this reguard, brass is much better suited as a ramrod provided you keep it clean and use a muzzle guide with it.
(Just my 3 cents worth! (Inflation, don't you know?))

Me? I use stainless steel range rods with a nylon or brass muzzle protector.
Zonie