Looking for Range Rod

[Flash Pan Dan]

Anyone know where I could find a 3/8 solid steel (stainless preferably ) one piece 44 inch range rod? For some reason I can't seem to find one at the usual places I shop. I have been using a M2 machine gun cleaning rod but the finish on it comes off and leaves my hands blacker that from the powder fowling. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Deadeye]

Get a brass one, October Country sells them made to your order with an antler handle and threaded on the other end 8x32 or 10x32. Comes with a bore guide.
Deadeye

 

[Matt85]

i use one of the 5/16" rods from trackofthewolf. its a very high quallity rod and it comes with a brass muzzle protector.
http://www.trackofthewolf.com/List/Item.aspx/566/1

 

[Rifleman1776]

No offense, but please stop thinking in terms of everything coming from a store neatly wrapped in plastic.
Look in the yellow pages for an industrial supply in your area and/or a steel supply house. Call and ask if they sell brass or stainless steel rod. If they do, just buy what you need and cut threads for accessories. If you don't have a die, buy one, they are not expensive. Making yer own stuff is fun and less costly than buying from a specialized vendor. The folks at TOW, as nice as they are, aren't adding much to their retirement account from my purchases. :wink:

 

[Deadeye]

In a fictional account it might be done with a DIE but in real life it would take a drill bit and a tap and euiptment to use both these. Much cheaper to buy from October Country where they do it very reasonably.
Deadeye

 

[Rifleman1776]

In a fictional account it might be done with a DIE but in real life it would take a drill bit and a tap and euiptment to use both these. Much cheaper to buy from October Country where they do it very reasonably.
Deadeye

Gee!! :shocked2:
Do you mean the scores of ram/range rods I have made over the decades never happened?

 

[Naphtali]

I believe BPCR competitors use what you seek. Dan Phariss almost certainly makes, or can make, precisely what you need. Shiloh and C. Sharps in Big Timber, MT, also may sell them.

Hope this helps.

 

[roundball]

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Dan, as another option, I've had many brass rods made to custom lengths by October Country...both ramrods & range rods, both solid brass & tubular, and solid stainless.
In addition, I've had some solid brass range rods made by RMCSports.

For my purposes I have them D&T both ends 10/32" for the larger stronger accessory thread, and then I also attach a 1+3/4" wooden ball with a 10/32" bolt already installed through the center for this purpose.
Simplifies my loading and has plenty of torque & pulling power for a ball puller.
In addition, I'm assuming / hoping if I ever had an AD with the rod in the bore and my hand on the ball, the smooth roundness of the ball being shot upward would minimize / eliminate serious damage to my hand, compared to a T-handle, hard antler handle, etc.
http://www.trackofthewolf.com/Categories/PartDetail.aspx/586/1/BALL-ROD-10

 

[CrackStock]

Tom Cogburn of Tom's Gun in Boyce Louisiana will make you a very nice range rod. He was the Louisiana State coordinator for the NMLRA and a skilled gunsmith specializing in MLs.

He can top them with deer antler, bone or a billiard ball. He mills a pool ball flat on one side; fits the rod to the ball with epoxy and mills the end for threads to fit your chosen attachments. He included your chosen jag and a bore protector when I got mine.

It is all custom work, so it is not cheap, but the result is well done.

On the other hand, When I wanted another rod for a different caliber, I went to a welding shop and bought some steel which I threaded and glued into a maple ball. Then I had a friend drill and tap the jag end. He helped me out for a nothing during a visit. The total cost was under $10. Being regular steel, it got ugly over the years, but works quite well if I just oil it or rub it with a scuff pad when it gets a spot of rust. I always use a bore guide so that is not a big deal.

CS

 

[BrianL]

I suspect that he only meant that you had used the wrong terminology in that a die produces external threads and that a tap, which produces internal threads, was what you meant to say. I am not sure what his intent was in regard to the "fictional vs. real world' because in the 'Real ' world we make mistakes quite often, at least us 'real' people do. :thumbsup:

 

[Rifleman1776]

I suspect that he only meant that you had used the wrong terminology in that a die produces external threads and that a tap, which produces internal threads, was what you meant to say. I am not sure what his intent was in regard to the "fictional vs. real world' because in the 'Real ' world we make mistakes quite often, at least us 'real' people do. :thumbsup:

I said die because I meant die. Most of my jags are internally tapped and they fit on an externally threaded rod. As does the handle. Pretty simple concept.

 

[BrianL]

See, I just made another one

 

[Rifleman1776]

See, I just made another one

Yes, it had to be you because I never make misteaks. :grin:

 

[TraprMike]

even on here, a mis type or wrong terminology and the english police will be all over you. we all knew what he ment.
lighten up Frances..

 

[ohio ramrod]

I recommend that you go with a brass rod. I used to make them when the local salvage yard had 3/8 or 5/16 brass rods on hand. But they closed now so I lost my supply of reasonable priced brass rods.They work as well as stainless and are acceptable at ranges that require "traditional materials ". All you need is a lathe, drill and tap to make them. Most people with a metal lathe will already have the drill and tap needed.:idunno:

 

[Flash Pan Dan]

Gentlemen, I much appreciate the leads. I will begin to make contact with some of the folks you suggested. I like steel because of the stiffness but I will try out a brass rod to see if it works just as well. Thanks again.

Dan

 

[Rat Trapper]

For a range rod and as long as your barrel is not longer than 32 inches, I'd recommend a Knight alum range rod. Of all the rods I own or have tried this is the best. They come with a "T" handle and the jag is attached to stay there. Jag has threaded hole so you can add a larger jag, brush, patch puller, bullet puller & etc.

 

[Marc Adamchek]

I've got a 44" brass one with a "T" handle coming that I just bought on impulse while buying something else I needed.

Anyone ever have any problems with a brass T, like slippery, tough on the fingers, etc?

 

[Rifleman1776]

I recommend that you go with a brass rod. I used to make them when the local salvage yard had 3/8 or 5/16 brass rods on hand. But they closed now so I lost my supply of reasonable priced brass rods.They work as well as stainless and are acceptable at ranges that require "traditional materials ". All you need is a lathe, drill and tap to make them. Most people with a metal lathe will already have the drill and tap needed.:idunno:

What is the largest diameter brazing rod comes in?
I use brazing rod for other projects but never looked for it in 1/4" or larger diameter. It is stiffer and very good for a lot of uses.

 

[Nappers]

I made one with a piece of 3/8" brass, drilled tapped one end for the accessories, the other end drilled tapped for a T-handle. Custom made for MY ML.....

Never had problems with slipping. Use a brass rod under the gun too.