DuncNZ
54 Cal.
I watch guys shooting using the rod on the rifle , they pull it out , wave it about and finally get the ramming end into the muzzle , ram the ball home, remove the rod then wave it about again finally getting it into the ramrod pipes and seated home . If the rod is close to bore size it is easier to have brass fittings on each end , when the rod is withdrawn ,it is grabbed by the hand at the bottom , no turning/waving needed , the ball is rammed and the rod withdrawn and replaced in the pipes no waving required . The fitting on the ramming end can be a cupped ramrod end and the fitting on the other end can be a covered screw for patch or ball pulling . I have one rifle where that works , all the others are tapered rods or have big heads .