I was never aware of the great differences in brass or types until I purchased an Ox Yoke brass ramrod. I tried to thread the end for a handle and my dies simply wouldn't cut it. I finally took it to a gunsmith who threaded it on his machine lathe but only with great difficulty. It was hard-hard-hard. I later did some searching and learned that simply saying "brass" means little, there are many kinds.definite difference in brass