Enlarging ramrod hole

[Quartermaster James]

I've replaced the little twig of a ramrod that came with my MVTC fowler with an unbreakable one from Period Ramrods.

I need to enlarge the hole in the stock just a bit so that it can receive this rod. I have no idea how this hole was drilled in the first place - a 60" bit?

I'm thinking of using sandpaper covered dowels for the job.

Is there a better way?

 

[paulvallandigham]

Yeah: Why not taper the rod down to fit the existing hole? You really don't need all that wood/metal to load a rifle- just the length to drive the PRB down onto the powder charge. My hickory rod is tapered because the very tip has to go under the front lock bolt to seat the rod down all the way. Its about 1/8" in diameter at the tip. I have used it now for more than 25 years and its still working just fine.

 

[Quartermaster James]

Good to know, thanks!

The new rod has a brass ferrule at the tail end. I suppose I could just sand that down too.

Thanks!

 

[paulvallandigham]

Check Track of the Wolf and other suppliers. Ferrules come in different diameters. See the Links section at the top of the index page to this forum under Member Resources to go to Track.

 

[brubincam]

-----thinned down ramrods but have a hole that could be 1/2 in deeper-----with my cleaning jag the ramrod it is too long-----if I shorten rod then its too short-----

 

[Packdog]

Here's another option. Buy one of these thumbscrews from your local hardware store. File the edges till it is just a tad larger than you need. You are making a small scraper. Make sure to bevel the edge so it scrapes the wood when you turn you ram rod handle clockwise (tightening it) I used a steel rod with Tee Handle. You don't want to brute force this.

I have used the sandpaper wrapped around a rod before. I've also cut a slot in the rod so it locked the papaer in place and last but not least I have glued the papaer to a rod. I liked to have never got the paper out of my ram rod hole when the glue turned loose.
Yes, they are drilled with a special ram rod drill bit that is around 4 foot long. You can make them or buy them. It's a touchy job drilling a hole on a completed gun. Very thin wood. If the drill happenes to catch you run the risk of splitting the stock. Also, before drilling deeper you should check and make sure you will not hit the front trigger guard screw or lug.

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[crockett]

I had a similar problem. I had a cheap kit where the ramrod path was routed out from the top- leaving no wood between the ramrod and the bottom of the barrel so I glued in some sections of wood and glass bedded to area above it. In any event the ramrod wouldn't fit- oh happy day. The sand paper takes forever and I don't think I would ever have finished to job so you'll need a scraper. I took a dowel and fitted in a small piece of metal for a scraper- just MAKE SURE the scraper can't come off and get stuck in the hole- never get it out. Probably a better/safer option would be a 3/8" metal rod- (ACE HARDWARE- couple of bucks) and file the end at an angle. etc.
Or TOW sells long shank bits- last time I checked about $20.00- could be more today.

 

[Quartermaster James]

Brilliant Packdog!

Thank you!

 

[Quartermaster James]

I just wanted to post that I used Packdog's suggestion and it worked perfectly!

I just wish I had asked earlier: before I spent three hours working the first three inches with rolled up sandpaper! I finished off the last seven inches with Packdog's suggestion; and had the whole job, from making the scraper to restaining, done in about an hour!

Many thanks!

 

[Packdog]

Glad it worked out for ya. Many, many folks have helped me along the way. Always happy to pay it forward.