Best Range Rod Suggestions

[FredMcIntire]

Well, I had a nice one piece range rod but it has disappeared.

What range rod do you recommend? I have Hawken rifles, Lyman GPR, and a few Pennsylvania long rifles. Where’s the best place to purchase from?

Thanks,
Fred

 

[The Crisco Kid]

Log Cabin, and probably others, sell brass tee handle rods in different sizes and lengths for a decent price. I have several I cut to length for different rifles. I really enjoy them when I get to pull a ball for a dry baller at the matches! At least until I need it done myself.

 

[TreeMan]

I have two brass ones made by October country. Very nice.

 

[Grenadier1758]

I'm a bad one to ask about the best as I have ramrods for my short 30 inch long barrels, my 38 in barrels, my 42 inch barrels and my 46 inch long barrel.

October Country, Track of the Wolf and others will have ramrods that can be tailored to fit your needs.

RMC-Oxyoke has a three section 31" ramrod for 10-32 accessories. Would be worth a call to see if an additional section can be ordered along with the 3" long extended cleaning jag.

With any ramrod a bore protector is needed.

 

[Omahkapi'si]

I've tried a bunch but ended up going with hickory on my cap and flintlocks.

 

[The Appalachian]

Wood is fine for loading but I would never consider it for the duties of a range rod. I recently got one in from Muzzleloader Builder's Supply. 3/8" x 44" brass, 10-32 thread, and a nice solid handle. 40 bucks. Comes with a muzzle protector.

 

[FishDFly]

Rice Barrels makes a good one also.

 

[TDM]

I like a thick synthetic for my .50’s and stainless steel for smaller. Brass is fine too. Log Cabin Shop or TOW can fix you up.

 

[Steve Martin]

The best range rod I have ever owned is the 44" stainless steel Creedmoor rod threaded 8/32 with a brass muzzle protector. I have broken and lost many range rods over the years and the Creedmoor steel rod from Track of the Wolf is the best I have ever used. Don't worry because it's steel and not brass, that won't cause any issues. You will really love it when you have to pull a dry ball out or push down a thick patched ball! I have used this rod on everything from my .45 caliber colonial flintlock long rifle, my .54 caliber Hawken on up through my .75 caliber Brown Bess and it has been great with all of my muzzleloaders.

 

[FredMcIntire]

Thank you everyone for your input. I just ordered a 36" and a 45" stainless steel range rod with muzzle protectors from The Log Cabin Shop. I'm really kicking myself for losing the one I had. I'm hopeful that I will find it somewhere in the house but something tells me that I inadvertently left it behind at the gun range

 

[Shadowalker164]

I went at a range rod sorta backwards. I bought Treditions (sp) cleaning kit with 3 piece brass rod. Discovered it was too short for my Kentucky long rifle, so I bought another. My Kentucky takes 4 sections, and my Colonial’s 47” barrel takes 5. I used the 6th section to replace the aluminum on my ball starter.

 

[FredMcIntire]

I went at a range rod sorta backwards. I bought Treditions (sp) cleaning kit with 3 piece brass rod. Discovered it was too short for my Kentucky long rifle, so I bought another. My Kentucky takes 4 sections, and my Colonial’s 47” barrel takes 5. I used the 6th section to replace the aluminum on my ball starter.

That's a great idea. I'm just a little leary of a multi-section rod, especially on a traditional rifle. It would be nice to carry in a range bag though. Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[Rifleman1776]

I have used Delrin, stainless steel and, currently, brass. Delrin is inexpensive and will not break. It does not harm the bore. I sold Delrin RRs for years and believe it to be a good product for ml rods.

 

[1BadDart]

What's best is subjective. I use Rice.

 

[2 shots]

another vote for t.o.t.w. i have a 36 inch rod and had them make a 8 inch extension for it 10/32 very sturdy rod no concern about the joint when it is together

 

[ord sgt]

Many, many years ago I bought two plastic, synthetic rods for my rifles. Unbreakable, completely bendable and I still use them today for loading at the rifle range. However, for cleaning, I bought a long carbon fiber rod from Brownells. The rod rotates, following the rifling while cleaning the barrel after a day of shooting.

 

[Flint62Smoothie]

A few good commercial materials and sources for range rods have already been mentioned.

But I will add that I make my own from thick wall tubular brass, as it has 95+% of the strength of a solid brass rod at 50% of the weight.

In the truck I keep a Delrin rod handy - always works/never fails - just is bendy/bendy, haha!

But also always use a muzzle protector with any ‘non-wood’ range rod as people have suggested.

 

[andy52]

I just make my own out of 3/8 brass rod

 

[SOLANCO]

.50 Cal MA Deuce cleaning rod. In sections for easy carry. The handle swivels so welded large nuts below it for plier or wrench purchase when using a ball puller. Definitely a range rod not a field rod.

 

[earlwb]

I also had bought a couple of resin rods many years ago. I think they are fiberglass on the inside core with a outer resin like layer.