I didn't start shooting Flintlock until April of this year and realized I would like to have rods of my own design. I acquired some aluminum arrow shafts of about 5/16"OD. I cut them to have 3 rods that were about 6" longer than my barrel. I bought some 1/2"OD aluminum round stock and machined the male and female ends. The male end was glued into the arrow shafting and pinned with archers hot glue. The other ends were machined to 10/32 threads both female and male threads to screw the sections together. One rod I use for cleaning and swabbing the barrel. One to reach into the patent breech area with a very small jag. The other for placing the lead ball. The one I cut a piece of 1" round steel 1-1/2 long and machined a hole down the middle just so it would slide easily over the aluminum shaft. At the top I have a T handle that is somewhat larger in diameter so that the 1" round steel won't go past it. I have used it once to knock out a ball. I screwed in the ball screw, slide the 1" round knocker over the aluminum shaft, screw into the ball and keep tapping at the top with the 1" round knocker. I think it is a pretty safe way of getting the ball out. Just lay the rifle down and tap away. Works great and it's not my idea.
xbowman 1800 rounds and still learning.
xbowman 1800 rounds and still learning.
