Best material for range rods ?

[hanshi]

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

I bought mine at a local Army/Navy surplus store over 55 years ago. I needed a rod long enough to clean the bore of my first & second muzzleloaders. They certainly are major rods and bull strong.

 

[nhmoose]

One piece Stainless with muzzle protector, Wont strip out the threads or bend in the bore can't hurt the bore when it doesn't touch it. all the way BEST!

 

[Snake Pleskin]

I have a Dewey Coated rod for 50 cal that I use. Works fine. Strong and stiff enough to do the job and no worries about scratching the barrel etc.

 

[1BadDart]

One piece Stainless with muzzle protector, Wont strip out the threads or bend in the bore can't hurt the bore when it doesn't touch it. all the way BEST!

I have the same, my rod came with a plastic bore guide, but I turned one out of aluminum to replace it.

 

[Brokennock]

Wow! Lots of great new information here on a remarkably unexplored subject.

 

[kyron4]

Wow! Lots of great new information here on a remarkably unexplored subject.









View attachment 138318

Well, I guess there is only so many muzzleloading/ black powder topics to discuss before you start to circle back to the top again. At least it wasn't a "how to remove a stuck ball" thread.

 

[Eutycus]

I got about 38" of an old fiberglass fishing rod,someday it may be turned into a useful rod. But until then my aluminum one will have to do.

 

[SOLANCO]

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.

I use a .50BMG rod as a range rod and did the same thing with a nut for a dry ball. Original handle swivels.

 

[SOLANCO]

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.

Google ".50 BMG Cleaning Rod for Sale". They are out there, but only about half your results will be the military M2 rod.

 

[ZUG]

I make my own out of a single length of 9/32" stainless steel rod that I attach a handle that I like and feels comfortable to me and then thread the other end to accept a jag. I also make a brass or nylon muzzle protector for the rod.

 

[hapEcat]

Solid brass from October Country, like this one....
Brass Undergun Rod 3/8" 31-36"
Just chose this one, but there are different sizes and materials.
Fiberglass produces splinters, other materials will pick up abrasives, but brass does not, is softer than steel, and will not break!

 

[SamTex1949]

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.

ebay has them

 

[SamTex1949]

I bought mine at a local Army/Navy surplus store over 55 years ago. I needed a rod long enough to clean the bore of my first & second muzzleloaders. They certainly are major rods and bull strong.

and can add sections too if needed!!

 

[SamTex1949]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/291615792890?hash=item43e5a7defa:g:GCEAAOSwMTZWRg6D

 

[JackP]

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

The harder the rod the better.
Jack

 

[Old Hawkeye]

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.

Synthetic walnut????

 

[Rifleman1776]

Definitely with you on that.

OK, ye made me jump in on this issue. I made, sold and used Delrin rods for many years. I like them. Unbreakable and easy on the barrel. Held as they should be, only a few inches above muzzle, flex is not an issue. Saying that, for range rods I also have used stainless steel and brass. In the woods, hunting it is Delrin for safety. At ronny or other 'authentic' events I do use hickory.

 

[doubleset]

OK, ye made me jump in on this issue. I made, sold and used Delrin rods for many years. I like them. Unbreakable and easy on the barrel. Held as they should be, only a few inches above muzzle, flex is not an issue.

Yeah, flex is an issue. Not because it makes them ineffective or dangerous, but just as a matter of personal experience and preference. I still have two of them. Won't toss them out. I don't think there's anything "wrong" with them. But I don't like using them in comparison to other rods.

 

[J. Paul]

Brass rod from Fastenall or your local machine shop

 

[doubleset]

A brass rod is a brass rod, but if it ain't threaded for the attachments you need, then it ain't very useful as a ramrod or cleaning rod.