loose ramrod

[Black Jaque Janaviac]

My son broke his ramrod so we replaced it and the new one fits loose enough that it falls out when the barrel is slightly pointed down.

Any ideas on how to fix? I was thinking of steaming the rod to bend it slightly, but it has already been soaked in kerosene. Would that matter?

 

[azmntman]

Unless you or your son are smokers I think it wont matter

 

[Black Jaque Janaviac]

Nope we're not smokers. I wasn't worried about the rod igniting. Just thought maybe that once the rod was oiled it could not be re-shaped.

 

[brubincam]

one rifle the ramrod slipped all the time till I wrapped the section of rod that went into closest to the end ferrel with dental floss till it was a little thicker and tighter going into ferrel--no more slipping-similar to how the Indians tied arrows with sinue just behind the arrow head making arrow shaft slightly thicker

 

[hanshi]

I did the same thing to a loose rod and it does work just fine. :thumbsup:

 

[Zonie]

Although it would have worked better if the wood hadn't been soaked in kerosene, steaming the rod or soaking it in boiling water will still allow the wood to be bent.

After the wood is hot, bend the rod for a 1"-2" bow and let it cool. After it cools it will end up with a 1/2"-1 1/2 inch bow that will be enough to hold it in the thimbles.

 

[Homesteader]

Zonie, what's the best way you've found to steam a rod with at-home equipment? Can one do it in the shower? :haha:

(That's facetious, but I'm curious how best to do it. Thanks!)

 

[Ken Cormier]

Hi what kind of gun and r/r size?'

 

[Zonie]

The best thing I can think of for steaming a ramrod at home would be a whistling tea pot and a pair of earplugs.

It's not just the humidity your after, it's the heat.

With three heavy objects sitting on your kitchen table positioned so that the ramrod would have to be bent to fit between them, get your heat/moisture source going.

With your earplugs installed in your ears and the tea pot half full of water over high heat on the stove wait until you hear it's irritating whistle. Put on your heavy gloves to protect your hands and hold the wood rod in the blast of steam.

Move it back and forth while rotating it. You want to heat up all sides and as much length as possible.

After doing this as long as possible or until your wife bounces a rolling pin off your head, whichever comes first, bend the rod and insert it between the heavy objects on the table.

Turn off the heat under the tea kettle, remove your earplugs, treat the lump on the back of your head and go have a beer (or some green tea for you teetotalers). (I wonder why it's not teatotalers? My computer spelling genius says it's "tee....").

After an hour to cool, the rod should have a nice gentle bend that will hold it in the ramrod thimbles.


Of course all of you except the newcomers who watch a lot of old Hollywood movies know you don't grab the ramrod at the top and cram the load down the barrel but for those who don't:

After the patched ball is started into the muzzle, grab the ramrod about 8 to 13 inches above the bore and push the load down until your hand hits the muzzle.
Repeat this until the ball and patch is tightly against the powder.

If you use this method the bow in the ramrod will never be noticed and you should never break the ramrod while loading.

 

[Rifleman1776]

After the wood is hot

That is the key. Heat. Crafters and wood workers who bend say it is heat, not the steam, that allows wood to be bent.
But, I just don't understand why some folks seem to be married to a single rod. Get more, one will certainly be slighty bent and not fall out. Keep others for spares.

 

[AZbpBurner]

Trim a small piece of the fuzzy side of some self-adhesive velcro material, and place it in the ramrod channel, where it will provide friction fit, not only securing the ramrod without any of the steam, heat, soak or whittle shenanigans, but will also be completely covered and not visible. If you don't like it, you can remove it, trim it more, and place it in a different position.

 

[JeffG]

Glue a small piece of suede on the rib to cause friction on the rod.

 

[Zonie]

Trim a small piece of the fuzzy side of some self-adhesive velcro material, and place it in the ramrod channel...

I bet Ole' Danial Boone would have used it if he had it. :rotf:

 

[robinsroost]

I cut a piece of moleskin, the kind the drug store sells for your feet, and affixed it to the rib. It is self adhesive and adds enough thickness to put pressure on the ramrod. Keep yer powder dry........Robin :wink:

 

[Black Jaque Janaviac]

The gun is a Cabela's Hawken Hunter .45 with a 3/8" ramrod.

It sounds like the moleskin, suede, velcro ideas may be a bit easier than steaming. Although if it is merely the heat I might be able to set the rod in front of the woodstove.

 

[vincent a walker]

The T/C Hawken .45 I purchased used had the same problem. I noticed that it was missing the small piece of spring steel that puts pressure on the rod to keep it in place. You should see it mounted on the underside of the barrel just at the point where the rod enters the stock. I was able to fashion one out of a piece of black banding material. I had to get the screw from TOTW. It works great.

 

[Vaino]

Either get a slightly larger RR or slightly constrict the RR hole for a tighter fit. Remove the entry pipe and put a little epoxy in the bottom of the RR hole and when dry, file the epoxy until the desired fit is achieved. If later on a larger dia, RR is used, file some more......Fred

 

[Navydad]

I just tied a loop of buckskin thru one of the thimbles and hung a club medallion from it...cured my loose RR..thanx for the idea!! :thumbsup: