i have found a lot of ramrods are junk! they break, crack, or warped from the get-go. does anybody sell any decent ones?
hickory ramrods, where to buy the best?
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I have bought blanks from October country, muzzleloader builders supply, and track of the wolf. all seem about the same quality. hit and miss.
Kibler does. Freight will eat your lunch, but they can fit a handful of them in with a rifle kit so the shipping would be free for the dowels...
longcruise
70 Cal.
I make my own with one of these:
https://www.leevalley.com/en-us/sho...cutters/52401-veritas-dowel-and-tenon-cutters
By selecting straight grain hickory you can achieve a quality rod blank.
Or you can take the same hickory and split it out to be planed down by hand.
https://www.leevalley.com/en-us/sho...cutters/52401-veritas-dowel-and-tenon-cutters
By selecting straight grain hickory you can achieve a quality rod blank.
Or you can take the same hickory and split it out to be planed down by hand.
Call and tell them what you want, I’ve purchased from them at Friendship & they always had a good selection of quality hickory rods.
64Springer
75 Cal.
Lowe's.
Straight grained oak dowels.
2 bucks.
Never had one break or crack.
And no BS charges to ship a 1 ounce stick.
Straight grained oak dowels.
2 bucks.
Never had one break or crack.
And no BS charges to ship a 1 ounce stick.
longcruise
70 Cal.
I've had good luck with those too. Straight grain is key.
Get one made of split hickory that has been hand seasoned. Straight grain all the way from bow to stern.
Split hickory has always seemed to be the common denominator for straight grain over the length of a ramrod.
Another vote for Kibler ramrods:
https://kiblerslongrifles.com/collections/rifle-kit/products/hickory-ramrod?variant=31777770799222I ordered a couple extra for my SMR, and they're absolutely straight and perfect in any and every way I can judge.
Yes, you can buy cheap dowels at a big box store, but that doesn't mean they'll make good ramrods. You might get lucky. And you might not. They're not fabricated and QC'ed to be good ramrods.
https://kiblerslongrifles.com/collections/rifle-kit/products/hickory-ramrod?variant=31777770799222I ordered a couple extra for my SMR, and they're absolutely straight and perfect in any and every way I can judge.
Yes, you can buy cheap dowels at a big box store, but that doesn't mean they'll make good ramrods. You might get lucky. And you might not. They're not fabricated and QC'ed to be good ramrods.
i use track of the wolf. 
DOUBLEDEUCE 1
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Another alternative would be either a Delrin or fiberglass rod that identifies as “hickory”.
I've heard some horror stories about fiberglass ramrods and cleaning rods that tear up bores?Another alternative would be either a Delrin or fiberglass rod that identifies as “hickory”.
fiberglass is very abrasive
DOUBLEDEUCE 1
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You can use a bore guide. That would eliminate virtually any concerns about abrasion.
longcruise
70 Cal.
I understand that transitioning them can be difficult.Another alternative would be either a Delrin or fiberglass rod that identifies as “hickory”.
Kibler is a great company! i just put together a SMR from Jim, first class all the way! but the reason i am asking about a ramrod is because the one that came with the kit broke after the first 10 shots or so, it wasn't much! i used my range rod to finish the session. nothing against Jim it seems like the last few i have gotten from different places is all junk! wood aint like it once was, they grow it quick and send the good to china!
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longcruise
70 Cal.
I've heard that for years but then I saw some test results that showed wood rods to be more abrasive. It seems that wood more readily picks up abrasive materials.
Another article I read was in reference to mode...., ah...,errrr... non ml guns that said your rod should be harder than the barrel metal
. I'll try to find that rod test.
Hard to believe, so waiting with eager anticipation for your reference.....
Another article I read was in reference to mode...., ah...,errrr... non ml guns that said your rod should be harder than the barrel metal
I'll try to find that rod test.
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