Durable 32 cal ramrod.

[alaskasmoker]

Reading over some books, it is mentioned that small diameter ramrods are pretty flimsy. One book mentioned a plastic one that was pretty tough.
Anyother reccomendations? I see the ad at the top of the page here. Ramrods for 35.00 that are virtually indestructable. Would those be a good choice.
Im getting a CVA squirrel rifle, does that one already have a tough ramrod?

 

[Ohio Rusty]

I have a Wonder Rod and it is great. Indestructable, and it has 10/32'nd on one end and 8/32'nd on the other. That means you can use any standard size brush or puller on the rod. Both ends are also pinned already so they won't pull off when pulling a stuck ball. I bought 2 and cut one down to fit my .32 blue ridge. I have another thin one for cleaning, and a thick one for bigger bores. They are truly a great item to have around.
Ohio Rusty >

 

[CoyoteJoe]

I can't share Ohio Rustie's enthusiasm for the Wonder Rod. I agree that they do not break easily but they bend far too easily. I have one for my .45 which is much thicker than you'd use for a .32 and it seems like ramming a ball with a limp noodle. I would suggest straight grain hickory if you can find it. The last .32 I owned was a Traditions Crockett which came with an aluminium rod. Not the coolest thing but it worked very well.

 

[cptleo1]

an aluminium rod. Not the coolest thing but it worked very well.


The lesser of many evils

IMHO

 

[Packdog]

The price goes up but these look pretty good.
Link

 

[silverfox]

Alaska I go a squirrel rifle a few months ago and it came with what appears to be a solid aluminum rod. Anyway it appears to be a tough rod. At the range I use a steel Kleen Bore rod with muzzle protector of course. I use Wally pillow ticking with moosemilk and a .310 ball. This loads easy and shoots very well. Ragged hole at 25yds and thats good enough for me. haven't tried it farther than that.
Fox :hatsoff:

 

[ssettle]

Got a black fiberglass rod, can't remember where I got it for sure but it didn't cost to much and works very well.Ssettle

 

[buttonbuck]

the ones that come with green mountain barrels are great. I have seen some "custom" brass ones at shows. and on a few internet sites. look around google

 

[Bubba45]

Packdog , a friend of mine used to make rods like those. He used hickory , curly maple or walnut and would groove them on the tablesaw and epoxy a 1/8" piece of drill rod in the center then turn them down on a little atlas lathe .He made the tips to thread on to the drill rod and accept 8-32 acc. First one he made was for his grandsons little 32 rifle that he built.
He started selling a few at Rondy's to keep him in powder.

 

[Packdog]

Bubba,
I haven't used one yet but have 2, .32 cal rifles I'm building. One will have a 1/4 rod and these seem to be the safest period looking solution for a slender ram rod.
Thanks,
Ken

 

[Deadeye]

Get a solid brass one, I believe October Country has them for about $20.

 

[Bubba45]

You aint kiddin that rod aint much more than a sliver for a 32 and what about some of those 28 cal :grin:

 

[joeboleo1]

Check out Jack Garner at www.tennesseevalleymanufacturing.com
He has stainless steel rods with handle and nylon muzzle protector and your choice of jag included. They come in 1/4 and 5/16 diameters in 36" or 45" lengths. Price is $14. Got one for my .40 cal a couple years ago. Works great.

 

[Dalekg6]

It sure isn't traditional but take a look at carbon arrow shafts. You can get one for only a few dollars, they are straight and strong. I don't know how long your barrel is but you can easily get them up to 31 inches or slightly longer. Just glue a ferrule in both ends. The standard arrow head size is the same as a lot of ram rod fittings.

 

[alaskasmoker]

interesting about the arrow shaft. Ill probably give that stainless rod a try. Shoot, if they are still 14.00 bucks with a jag thats a steal.

 

[Ohio Rusty]

Be careful with carbon or fiberglass rods. If they break or split while you are pressing down on the rod, the slivers are small, long and needle sharp and go deep into your hand very easily. The Wife has a fiberglass rod in her rifle, and to be sure the end didn't split and cause injury, I soaked the end of the rod with super glue and let it soak deep into the fiberglass.
I do have a question for Coyote joe .... I'm curious to know how much bending are you getting with a 5/16th rod in a 5/16th 32 caliber hole? Hopefully none !! If you are grabbing the rod way up top and trying to push the ball down in one fluid motion, yes, the rod bends too much. That is how also a good way to break a hickory rod, seasoned or not. I grab the rod close to the muzzle and use a short hand over hand motion (again close to the muzzle) to push the ball down on the powder. Using this method I feel safer about not breaking my rod. If you are using a 5/16's rod on anything bigger than a .40, you need to go to the next bigger rod size as a 5/16's is really only good for .40, .36 and .32 calibers.
Ohio Rusty

 

[Curtis Makamson]

An elderly gentleman suggested capping one end of a suitable diameter PVC pipe, filling it with kerosene, and placing a standard 48 inch piece of straight grain hickory in it for three months. His claim was the kerosene treatment went a long way in preventing the rod from breaking. Has anyone tried this? If so, what was your opinion of the kerosene soaking? How long did it take for the kerosene smell to dissipate?