Cleaning Rod/Range Rod

[tenngun]

I’m in the guns ram rod camp. Hickory for me. Use a damp (not wet) patch and a dry patch between shots. Spit patch too works well at range for plinking. In the absence of redskins or red coats trying to kill me the few seconds it takes to swab between shots isn’t a problem, and saves frustration with a too tight load.

 

[Rifleman1776]

struggled on the range on Sunday with my ram rod getting stuck in my very dirty barrel.

I just re-read this thread from the beginning. A point no one touched on is the rod getting stuck. He may have a jag that is too large for his bore. A jag holds the cleaning patch by allowing the cloth to bunch up at the top of the jag and clean as it is being pulled out. The jag does not need to be near bore size for this to happen. An over large jag can be chucked in a drill and reduced in size by holding a flat file against it. Go easy, not much brass needs to be removed.

 

[Daryl Crawford]

While I do have a too large jag, which I've sanded down, I wasn't using it on my ramrod. I was just using the ramrod with the tip that is on it, but when it sticks a bit by the breech I only have about 2 inches of ramrod out the barrel end which makes it hard to grip.

 

[Brokennock]

While I do have a too large jag, which I've sanded down, I wasn't using it on my ramrod. I was just using the ramrod with the tip that is on it, but when it sticks a bit by the breech I only have about 2 inches of ramrod out the barrel end which makes it hard to grip.

I keep some strong, but small diameter cordage in my range bag, and another in a small bag of gun cleaning and field maintenance tools in a bag that carries my lunch, spare socks, larger fire kit, cup, etc. when in the field (NOT in my shot pouch), for these situations. My ramrods for both my guns leave very little to hold onto if run all the way to the breach face. Should one get stuck, a few timber hitches around the ramrod end gives one the rest of the cord to pull with. I have not had one get stuck in a long time, not since I stopped shooting a certain rifle with a roaches out and slightly bent barrel, but, when I did have the issue I could often just pull the rod out with the cord by hand, sometimes though it would have to be tied off to something more solid.
The cord can also be used for the "tow and toggle" cleaning method if need be.

 

[dandan noodles]

My colleague and I plan on putting 144+ rounds downrange from his Charleville. If I wanted to wipe down the bore every 12 shots or so, what's the best way to do that at minimal cost (this is getting to be a pricey project)?

 

[Grenadier1758]

Wiping the bore is minimal cost no matter the method compared to firing. For absolute minimal cost, you will want a wad of tow wrapped around a tow worm and a container of water. The tow could be dampened in the water and rinsed in the water to remove most of the fouling and one wad of tow would last for shooting all the 144 shots. Increase the cost by adding a squirt of dish washing liquid to the water. The heat from the firing would quickly dry the bore. Then after shooting 144 rounds, wash the tow and use it to clean the musket. Clean the tow again and use it for the net 144 rounds. The tow worm would be made from a section of clothes hangar wore wrapped in a spiral and fit to the end of a hickory ram rod.

 

[Griz44Mag]

While I do have a too large jag, which I've sanded down, I wasn't using it on my ramrod. I was just using the ramrod with the tip that is on it, but when it sticks a bit by the breech I only have about 2 inches of ramrod out the barrel end which makes it hard to grip.

For range duty, I carry a nice solid 1 piece brass rod. A range session is normally 20-60 rounds with wipes in between.
For hunting, I use the wood rod in the gun, one end is a threaded and pinned 10/32 brass tip so I carry a turned down jag, a ball screw and a 6" brass extension in my pouch - just in case.
Thankfully I have never had an issue while out hunting with most outings consisting of either a single shot or no shot at all.

 

[Coot]

Anyone know who sells a 48" x 5/16" brass rod? I want one for my .40 that has a 46" barrel.

 

[Rodd Boyer]

Anyone know who sells a 48" x 5/16" brass rod? I want one for my .40 that has a 46" barrel.

I've gotten my Rods from TOW... although they are NOT brass, they are steel. They DO have a nice wooden handle which comes in very handy.

 

[Griz44Mag]

Anyone know who sells a 48" x 5/16" brass rod? I want one for my .40 that has a 46" barrel.

October Country can make one for you. Great folks to deal with too!

 

[Coot]

October Country can make one for you. Great folks to deal with too!

Thanks for the reminder that OC makes custom lengths in their brass rods. I ordered a 47" x 5/16and a 45" x 3/8" today.

 

[flnrlokr]

October Country can make one for you. Great folks to deal with too!

I just go down to the local Metal Mart and buy a brass rod, and fit it up at home. Sometimes welding shops will have brass rod also. Some machine shops have it also, and they could drill and tap it for you.

 

[Griz44Mag]

Thanks for the reminder that OC makes custom lengths in their brass rods. I ordered a 47" x 5/16and a 45" x 3/8" today.

You're welcome. I bought a long rod for a Pennsylvania two years ago and then acquired a Long Land Bess. That long rod was 4" short. I talked to them and they made me a 6" custom extension for that rod, and if I remember right, they charged me 6 bucks for it. These are really nice folks and bend over backward to try and help their clients.

 

[Crooked Ramrod]

October Country sold me a hickory ramrod that was so crooked it wouldn't fit in my thimbles. I contacted them and send them pictures. They told me it would straighten if I put it in my gun for awhile or after it was used awhile. What part of IT IS SO CROOKED IT WON'T FIT IN MY GUN did they not understand? NEVER EVER ORDER FROM THIS OUTFIT!!!! A reputable company would have mailed a new one the same day.

 

[Josephg]

Unless hunting I always use a hard steel rod with a muzzle protector. Rod never touches the bore.

 

[Magungo1066]

I have actually started using hickory ramrods/cleaning rods. They are cheap, sturdy, and I love them

 

[Crooked Ramrod]

I have always had good luck with hickory ramrods until they sold me this dog. Just need to find a trustworthy dealer.

 

[Musketeer]

October Country sold me a hickory ramrod that was so crooked it wouldn't fit in my thimbles. I contacted them and send them pictures. They told me it would straighten if I put it in my gun for awhile or after it was used awhile. What part of IT IS SO CROOKED IT WON'T FIT IN MY GUN did they not understand? NEVER EVER ORDER FROM THIS OUTFIT!!!! A reputable company would have mailed a new one the same day.

I can't comment on OC, as I have no experience with them, but all is not lost. There are several methods that can straighten that rod out enough to fit your gun. I don't know what your background or experience is, but search here for methods of straightening wooden rammers and also check out a traditional archery forum for methods used for straightening wooden arrows, which will also work for rammers.

 

[Josephg]

Thank you for the heads up Crooked Ramrod. Chinese ramrods??