Good cleaning rod for a Bess?

[sherpadoug]

I am getting a full length Bess (46" x 75 cal) with a wooden rammer. After less than a year with my short fusil, between cleaning, worming, and ball pulling I have beat the manure out of my Wal-Mart aluminum shotgun cleaning rod. I don't want to abuse my new wooden rammer. So what should I get as a quality cleaning/pulling rod? Track sells a Creedmore 44" 5/16 steel rod, but I wonder if that will be just too short for a 46" barrel?

 

[Rat]

Go to the junkyard and pull the gearshift knob off of something. Grab a couple with different thread sizes. Knobs off old Internationals and Dodges have a nice flat rounded shape.

Go to the hardware store and get a nice straight dowell about half-inch.

Thread and epoxy on knob.

Stain and oil dowell.

Go to TOTW or October country and find an end for the rod that accepts the cleaning stuff such as the breech scrapers, worms, jag, etc. Pin and epoxy on end.

A dowell should be long enough. When I made a range rod for my Springfield, 40" barrel, I believe I cut off at least eight inches.

You can "candy stripe" it with a propane torch for that custom look.

Rat

 

[riarcher]

I have Track's "Durango Rod" (P/N Ramrod-C-44) to go with my 2nd land Pedersoli with 42" barrel. Rod inserted with Jag leaves me 3" above the guide when fully inserted. Maybe an 1" short (?). Overall to bottom of guide with jag measures 44 1/8".

 

[CrackStock]

Actually, old doorknobs work well too. Why not go to a welding supply place and get a stainless steel rod and thread the end to match your doorknob or shift handle? Then thread the other end for whatever accessories you want.

CS

 

[sherpadoug]

Thanks to all for the ideas. I think I will make an aluminum rod for general cleaning at home. Aluminum should be kind to the bore. I will try to do field cleaning with my wooden rammer.
After getting a ball good and stuck this weekend I think I'll also make a rescue rod of 5/16" steel threaded 10-32 on one end, with a strong handle on the other end, and a sliding brass collar to act as a hammer in the middle. Then I can screw the ball puller in and work the sliding hammer against the handle to gently remove a stuck ball. With my friend holding the Brown Bess and me pulling for all I was worth I wondered if we might pull the barrel out of the stock!
:thumbsup:

 

[CrackStock]

Actually, later Besses were issued with some very tough rods and this did not do serious harm to the bores. It is not a rifle.

Stainless is easy enough.

Of course, you could always use a bore guide. :winking:

CS