Brass range rod

[Kansas Jake]

I had to look at the HD ad again before I saw it was for a 10 pack. That is pretty cheap if you can use 10. :wink:

 

[M. De Land]

Yeah, I much prefer the a down bore guide to the cone shaped but both work.
I turn mine to a parallel slip fit, down bore about an inch from odds and ends of brass pieces I have laying around from other projects.
I also use Delrin rods to make them which works fine as well but is not much fun to turn on a lathe.

 

[Rifleman1776]

I also use Delrin rods to make them which works fine as well but is not much fun to turn on a lathe.

Agree, not fun but works. The lack of fun part might be why I experimented with wood. Tried it, liked it. Where you are, you have access to antler and bone which would work and be, shall we say, 'Alaska uneek'.

 

[Scota4570]

Brass is expensive. Aluminum can bend and pick up grit. Derlin is floppy, I personally don't care for it. Drill rod or polished spring steel would be nice but I have no easy access to either.

I recently made a 48" x 3/8" steel range rod. Just Ace hardware mild steel rod. I installed a 1/2" x 4" steel T-handle by threading peening and Locktite shaft locker. Threads 10x32, all my stuff is 10-32. I covered the rod with heat shrink tubing. When the tubing gets worn I'll just replace it. It looks like a Dewey rod.

It is plenty strong to use with ball pullers. It can not damage the bore. The weight helps for loading.

 

[Coot]

Won't the shrink wrap pick up grit? Its softer than aluminum.

 

[Scota4570]

Don't know. Dewey thinks it is a good idea. It feels smooth and clean. I don't see how it would be any different that the floppy plastic rods people use today.

I might have preferred polished spring steel. I don't see that available in 3/8 anymore. I have heard speculation about brass, aluminum, and fiberglass being abrasive or embedding with grit. I suppose if you use a guide it does not matter.

I hope to shoot enough to wear a barrel by loading. I did wear a TC muzzle down to the the grooves with a fiberglass rod in a dusty and dry area, when I was a kid. I'll never shoot that much again so I won't sweat it.

 

[coloradoclyde]

Won't the shrink wrap pick up grit? Its softer than aluminum.

Aluminum will gall, heat shrink wont.

 

[Billnpatti]

I had to look at the HD ad again before I saw it was for a 10 pack. That is pretty cheap if you can use 10. :wink:

.

Oops, my bad, I didn't see that it was for 10. :idunno:

 

[Rifleman1776]

floppy plastic rods

That comment/criticism is used a lot regarding Delrin rods. I simply do not understand how flexibility is an issue if the rod is used properly. For loading, the/any rod should be grasped only a few inches above the muzzle. Reaching up and trying to load in one push is asking for trouble, no matter what the rod is made of. Not good technique. :nono:

 

[Coot]

Two possible objections to "floppy" rods:
1) Does the flex interfere with the feel of the load being properly seated? and for those who like to compress their load, hard to do compared to a stiff & heavy metal rod.
2) When the rod flexes, it rubs against the bore & some might be concerned about wear.

 

[coloradoclyde]

Two possible objections to "floppy" rods:
1) Does the flex interfere with the feel of the load being properly seated? and for those who like to compress their load, hard to do compared to a stiff & heavy metal rod.
2) When the rod flexes, it rubs against the bore & some might be concerned about wear.

3. Flexing requires more force to accomplish the same goal.

So a rod that flexes, makes loading more difficult. It puts more stress on both the rifle and the shooter.

 

[Scota4570]

I spent some time looking around. These guys have metal rods of many materials, sizes and lengths. They will have something for anyone who want to make a range rod.
http://www.onlinemetals.com/merchant.cfm?pid=2053&step=4&showunits=inches&id=9&top_cat=1

Although expensive, they also had titanium rod stock. That would be crazy strong and light weight. One could use a 3/8" metal ramrod and not mess up the balance of the rifle.

 

[coloradoclyde]

This guy will make you a wooden rod with a titanium core if you send him the titanium rod...
http://www.periodramrod.com/

Probably the best of all worlds...

 

[meanmike8665]

I like the Delfina rods, I used a 7/16 for .50 and it is not floppy.
Michael

 

[coloradoclyde]

Aluminum will gall,.

Unless it's anodized....then it is harder than your barrel...and abrasive.

 

[dragnetbill]

Two possible objections to "floppy" rods:
1) Does the flex interfere with the feel of the load being properly seated? and for those who like to compress their load, hard to do compared to a stiff & heavy metal rod.
2) When the rod flexes, it rubs against the bore & some might be concerned about wear.

We are still talking muzzle loading, I hope.

 

[larry wv]

3rd vote for the 3 piece CVA rod. Wally world had them for 15 dollars a few years ago. It's handy to swap lengths around.

 

[ZUG]

I'm looking for a one piece brass range rod for my GPR flintlock. Any suggestions for sources??

I'd suggest a stainless steel or just a regular steel rod instead of brass with a bore guide for this reason - steel threads are stronger than brass threads by 60% + depending on the alloy of each and how the material is threaded. I prefer both my rod and jags to have steel threads - just me and my 2 cents - your mileage may vary :v .

 

[coloradoclyde]

Zug makes good point....

I have broken a lot of rods, jags, pullers, worms, and brushes....The weak material has always been brass or aluminum....I've never broken steel on steel.

 

[George C]

I have a wooden one, a aluminum one, a brass one and a steel one.I think I might have to many for just one rifle.