Looking for a range rod

[Aldarith]

Hey friends,

I am looking for a T-Handle range rod with a metal handle (afraid a polymer or plastic handle will break if I have to pull a ball).

What I want is a brass rod with 8-32 or 10-32 threads. I want to be able to buy a couple kits so that I can make it long enough for something like a three-band or short enough for a musketoon.

Any suggestions?
It's 'easier' if it's available on Amazon (I'm in Canada) but happier to support a smaller business.

 

[Osseon]

Are you against a solid wood non-T handle?

https://www.trackofthewolf.com/list/item.aspx/830/1
I have had nothing but good things to say about this rod so far.

 

[Dwight Rutherford]

On Jan 22, 2021 “Artificer” posted an excellent thread about making exactly the item you are looking for
Do a search on this forum for ” universal ball pulling/cleaning take down rod”
PS i made one and it works on my Southern Mountain Rifle that has a 46” barrel.

 

[Whitworth]

Uncle Sam Surplus 50BMG cleaning rod. Aluminum T handle, blued steel 10 inch sections, 49 inch reach and with female threads for your 8/32 jag or ball puller. What's not to like?
Lots of them on EBAY.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/324575558336?hash=item4b9235fac0:g:H0EAAOSwpc9geeq7

 

[Idaholewis]

October Country here in Hayden Idaho is where i bought my Brass Range Rods from, My 1 piece Brass Rods are my favorites for Target Shooting Patched Roundball, I can send a TIGHT Patch/Ball combo to the Powder with minimal effort

Something like this? They make several different ones
https://www.octobercountry.com/brass-ramrod-cleaning-kit-50-caliber/

 

[JBird]

If your interested in buying a premade rod Track of the Wolf has some nice 5/16" stainless rods, they come with a muzzle protector.

I've got the 44" long rod with 10/32 threads and use it for each of my muzzleloaders at the range. Very sturdy and even though its not a T handle I've had no problem using it to pull a ball

Ramrod, 5/16" stainless, 44" long rod, Creedmoor, rigid handle, 10-32 thread - Track of the Wolf

(Edit: didn't see the part about Canada, though I wouldnt think it would be an issue although probably cheaper to make your own)

 

[Brokennock]

Only 4 looking for a range rod topics in the 1st page,,,, of 10 pages, of a search for that sentence.

A wood rod won't break pulling a ball, especially if you are pulling in a straight line,,, a couple timber hitches thrown on it with the other end tied to some thing solid, pull straight back on the gun,,,, no broken rid, and a lot more pulling power. A delrin ramrod won't break. Most won't. And while nice, if one uses the cordage and timber hitch trick, the t-handle isn't all that necessary to pull a ball.

Maybe a .50 cal machine gun cleaning rod should come as a free gift to all new members of this "Keeping Tradition Alive," Muzzleloading forum.

 

[Dibbuk]

I second Whitworths' suggestion of a US .50 Cal rod. You can get adapters that will bring the thread at the tip to 8/32 or 10/32. They are lighter than the brass rods, and take a variety of tips.

 

[Brokennock]

 

[user 28522]

https://rmcoxyoke.com/product/brass-ramrods/These folks can make one for the length your looking for.

 

[SamTex1949]

M2 .50 cal cleaning rod can be found on ebay, just add a simple plumbing fitting for muzzle guide and your good !

 

[Rifleman1776]

https://rmcoxyoke.com/product/brass-ramrods/These folks can make one for the length your looking for.

Yeppers. Good source. I got one from them.

 

[Sidney Smith]

You can make one. A length of 3/8s steel rod drilled and tapped on both ends for whatever size you prefer. You can make or buy a T handle, then thread it on one end, and your favorite accessory on the other. That's what I did. Cost me less than $10.00, as I already had everything but the T handle.

 

[J. Paul]

I bought a length of 3/8" brass rod at Fastenal for my .50 rangers, tapped both ends for attachments as needed

 

[Sidney Smith]

I bought a length of 3/8" brass rod at Fastenal for my .50 rangers, tapped both ends for attachments as needed

You're all set then.

 

[Aldarith]

I mean I respect what you are saying, Brokennock.
The thing is I am looking for a range rod, something I can pack into a small bag if I am going to the range so that I don't have to card around any full length rod not attached to a firelock.

If I need to help someone else pull a ball and they're not equipped, this thing needs to be able to do the job.

I assume there is a good historical precedent that I could look into - What would you suggest, in keeping with the tradition?

 

[Grenadier1758]

As a sectionalized cleaning rod for your muzzleloading rifle, it will be hard to find a better rod than the US 50 caliber cleaning rod. There is a main section and four attachments to make a 48" cleaning rod. Its in the tradition of use on the Forum and by many other users.

USGI Cleaning Rod M2 50 Caliber 5 pc Military USA 1005-00-653-5441 NEW | eBay

As a disclaimer, I use the one piece cleaning rods. Probably because I didn't run across one of these rods when I was looking for a range rod.

 

[Brokennock]

I mean I respect what you are saying, Brokennock.
The thing is I am looking for a range rod, something I can pack into a small bag if I am going to the range so that I don't have to card around any full length rod not attached to a firelock.

If I need to help someone else pull a ball and they're not equipped, this thing needs to be able to do the job.

I assume there is a good historical precedent that I could look into - What would you suggest, in keeping with the tradition?

Anything but that .50 BMG rod,,,,, just because I'm sick of reading about it here. Lol.

While a T handle can be very useful, don't get hung up on it (pun intended) as a necessity. I've pulled balls,,,, from muzzleloader barrels, with just the gun's own wooden rod using the cordage and timber hitch method,,, it can be done. A thicker metal rod would be the same, just not as nerve racking worrying it might break.
I rarely need a range rod anymore,,,,, that may be partly because I only have smoothbores now. But, I bring one of my overlong delrin rods anyway when I head to the range. It is a long walk from our parking area to the rifle range. I swab the bore with a patch or two wet with alcohol before leaving the house. I carry the rod from the truck to the range,,,,,,, in the barrel of the gun. A dry patch on the cleaning jag stuck down to the breach keeps the rod there for the walk and helps dry any leftover alcohol or lube. So, there are workarounds for 1 piece, long, range rods.

That said, I forget, what length do you need? I have a sectionalized stainless shotgun cleaning rod, thicker than your average Hoppes shotgun rod, with a brass handle that is of greater diameter than the rest of the rod. If it is long enough to serve your needs,,,, I don't use it.....