Is a Fiberglass Ramrod Really Bad For a Muzzle-Loader?

[Enfield58]

I don't want to get into a discussion of using a range rod at the bench. I've always liked to load my rifles like I would in the field. That means using the ramrod that comes with the rifle.

With that said, most of my experience with muzzle-loading rifles has been with the muskets using metal ramrods. I also use a muzzle protector on the metal ramrod to prevent wear on the rifling.

Years ago, I did have some muzzle loaders with wooden ramrods but, unfortunately, had to be sold.

Back in the day I heard that fiberglass ramrods were bad for a muzzle-loader's rifling. So that's why I never used them. However, I was always nervous using the wooden version. I don't like the idea of one breaking in my hand, even though I grasped it close to the muzzle during the loading process.

So what I'd like to know is that since fiberglass ramrods have been around for several decades, has experience shown that to be true? Does the fiberglass material erode the rifling at the muzzle?

 

[Rifleman1776]

Does the fiberglass material erode the rifling at the muzzle?

Yes, it does.

 

[Juice Jaws]

Yes, it does.

Rifleman, I don't use them but have wonder how fast would they wear on the muzzle? Lets say a person shoots 500 to 1,000 shots a year, how long would that take ruin the muzzle?

 

[tenngun]

I don’t know if you used a muzzel protector guide you would hurt your muzzel. However wood is old and used for a reason... they work.
I use a starter on a rifle. We have some hints of them to the eighteenth century but can prove them before the late 1840s.
That said your most pressure used on a rod are starting the ball, and should you load sans starter you need to choke up on the rod.
Then don’t stop choking up on the rod. Only grasp it a few inch’s above the bore and drive the ball home withshort stokes. You only break the rod if you try to grab it on the end and try to run home in one long stroke.
Get a good strieght grained hickory rod. Grasp six to eight inches above the muzzel and drive down, repeat till home and you’ll not break a rod.

 

[Artificer]

I will never forget in the late 1970's at Friendship, where a dealer on Dealer's Row used a fiberglass ramrod like a draw file and quickly wore down a corner between barrel flats on a Douglas rifle barrel. So, yes, the wrong kind of fiberglass rod not only can, but will do that.

Rifleman 1776 has reported he has used a Delrin Rod for years and not experienced problems, though. I haven't used a Delrin Rod, myself, but I have used short lengths as a non marring punch on other steel parts.

Hopefully someone else can give more info on other "fiberglass" rods for you.

Gus

 

[jackley]

Close to home I use wood rods. But if I'm elk or bear hunting on top of the mountain I do use a fiberglass rod. If I'm going to trudge to the top of the mountain I don't wan't a broken wiper to ruin my hunt. I have never broke a ram rod but there could always be a first. I only use it once or twice a year so I have seen no ill effects.

Jerry

 

[Carbon 6]

One might want to look at how grinding disks, cut off wheels, and chopsaw blades are constructed. One could say they are essentially fiberglass with some other stuff added.

If a fiberglass ramrod ever breaks in your hand you will wish it was wood or metal.

Fiberglass is the one thing you don't want to be impaled by.

 

[Carbon 6]

If I'm going to trudge to the top of the mountain I don't wan't a broken wiper to ruin my hunt.

Jerry

I have/had one I used for cleaning smoothbores, and then one day the jag end came off.
Glad I wasn't on a mountain top.

My steel cleaning rod hasn't failed me in 40 years, despite my best attempts. and I've had some doozies.

 

[jackley]

jag is pinned no worry of it coming off.

Jerry

 

[Enfield58]

I talked to a friend of mine a few minutes ago about this. Because of his work, he's become some what of an expert on metallurgy.

He's not a blackpowder shooter but I told him about the ramrod issue. He told me that fiberglass is very abrasive. Yet the question remains; how many passes would it take to significantly wear down the rifling in the bore.

I would not want to experiment with an expensive rifle just to find out.

When I did have rifles with wooden ramrods, I choked up on the rod according to Tenngun's technique.

My friend made me a nylon punch to be used to force the wedge out of the Colt revolvers. It's pretty tough material.

He told me that he could get any length and possibly the diameter that I need for a stiff nylon. The only problem is that it comes in one color; charcoal gray.

 

[54ball]

Is a Fiberglass Ramrod Really Bad For a Muzzle-Loader?

No.

Does the fiberglass material erode the rifling at the muzzle?

Maybe...If you use care, common sense and not use your ramrod like they do in a Warner Brother's cartoon. A ram rod, a real ram rod (not homemade manure made out of old arrows, golf clubs and stuff like that) of any type whether steel, fiberglass or wood should give years of service if you respect what it is and use it accordingly.

 

[Carbon 6]

The only problem is that it comes in one color; charcoal gray.

Paint it.

 

[arcticap]

Does the fiberglass material erode the rifling at the muzzle?

It appears that some of the materials used to make fiberglass would be harmful.

"What elements are in fiberglass?

The basic raw materials for fiberglass products are a variety of natural minerals and manufactured chemicals.
The major ingredients are silica sand, limestone, and soda ash.
Other ingredients may include calcined alumina, borax, feldspar, nepheline syenite, magnesite, and kaolin clay, among others.
Silica sand is used as the glass former, and soda ash and limestone help primarily to lower the melting temperature.
Other ingredients are used to improve certain properties, such as borax for chemical resistance.
Waste glass, also called cullet, is also used as a raw material.
The raw materials must be carefully weighed in exact quantities and thoroughly mixed together (called batching) before being melted into glass."--->>> http://www.madehow.com/Volume-2/Fiberglass.html

 

[Grimord]

Apply a good automotive or boat wax to a fiberglass ram rod to make them less abrasive. While at the range, use a bore protector. The few times you have to reload in the field without a bore protector should not cause any significant wear on the bore.

 

[Pete G]

The Bevel Brothers did a test for "Muzzle Blasts" using a crank in a drill; called it a "wipe-o-later". Worst was steel, followed by fiberglass, brass and then wood.

 

[Ian]

back in the 80's after 3000 shots I broke my wooden rod and made a fibreglass rod for hunting without a guide, it wore the rifling at the muzzle and ruined the accuracy after 4 yrs and about another 3 or 4 thousand rounds, I rebarreled the gun and made an aluminum rod , cheers Ian.

 

[flntlokr]

Rifleman, I don't use them but have wonder how fast would they wear on the muzzle? Lets say a person shoots 500 to 1,000 shots a year, how long would that take ruin the muzzle?

Probably within a couple of years. The exposed glass fibres just rub away the rifling at the muzzle, and because the rods probably bend, they may erode rifling deeper down. Why take the chance? There are aluminum, steel, brass, PVC and wood rods that work perfectly well. Always use a muzzle protector when you can, particularly when cleaning; you run the rod back and forth a lot while doing that. I personally use only wooden rods for loading, and have never had one break; at the first sign of wear, I replace the rod. I always have at least one rod blank curing in kerosene so I have one ready when I need it

 

[Juice Jaws]

I use a aluminum range rod

 

[Kansas Jake]

I have wooden ramrods for all of my rifles except a 32 that came with an aluminum rod. I do have a Delrin rod that I used for cleaning etc. until I made an aluminum range rod. I also have a couple of the TC ramrods made of I don't know what.

 

[Rat]

Is a Fiberglass Ramrod Really Bad For a Muzzle-Loader?

No.



Maybe...If you use care, common sense and not use your ramrod like they do in a Warner Brother's cartoon. A ram rod, a real ram rod (not homemade manure made out of old arrows, golf clubs and stuff like that) of any type whether steel, fiberglass or wood should give years of service if you respect what it is and use it accordingly.

Or use it like in a lot of old movies...worse than cartoons.

It would seem, if one is careful enough about the selection of a wooden ram-rod, maybe not be too accepting of the one that came with the gun, and used it properly, then the chances of a broken ram rod would be slim. But slim is not nothing, so maybe when actually hunting a substitute might make sense. But I've never worried about it.

Hey we could make a buck or two if we invented a wooden ram-rod with a steel, brass, fiberglass or aluminum core I bet.