More Newbie questions

[Jeff3374]

Hi Guys,
I'm interested in getting a new ramrod for my 50 cal. Lyman deerstalker, it has a 25" delrin which works fine but I was looking for something with a t-handle that I could use at the range and in the field. I found something I liked that was mentioned in an article on Chuck Hawks(xs sight powerrod) but they don't sell them anymore. I see there are many types out there but I don't know what would be best. If you have something you like, let me know. Second question, should you remove the touch hole liner when you are cleaning your gun? Thanks for all your help.
Jeff

 

[Goldhunter]

If you are looking for a range rod with a handle, a cheap alt. is to use a standard ram rod of your choice, then get a ball puller jag and screw it into a piece of round wooden dowel rod. The jag screws into rod and there you go.

I've seen this done with a brass rod, wooden rod, etc.

As for the touch hole liner, don't know. I don't have a rock lock yet.

 

[No Deer]

I bought a brass cleaning rod from RMC Muzzleloading. It has a T handle and comes in sections so you could use it in different length guns. It could be used for a range rod, but I don't use it that way.

As far as removing the touchhole for cleaning, you will probably get various opinions, but I would recommend that you not take it out. Too many things can happen when you take it out, many of them bad.

 

[paulvallandigham]

Use a pipe cleaner with a short 45 degree bend to the tip to clean that touch hole liner. Normally, pushing soap and wather down the barrel with a cleaning jag and patch on the jag will force water out that vent and the pressure will scour out the liner along with the chamber. Soap will dissolve the powder residue, either Black powder or those substitutes. Substitutes don't shoot very well in flintlocks. Check the suppliers found here under member services to find the kind and length of rod you are looking for. I know Cain's markets one, as do several other suppliers.

 

[Norskie]

I use a Treso 'T' handle steel range rod for target. But I can't imagne schlepping it around with me out in the field hunting. Is your delrin rod too flexible?
As for your touchhole liner, let that alone. You can clean without removing it; and taking it out all the time will just wear out the threads in your barrel.
Moose

 

[Jeff3374]

Thanks for the advice guys. In response to you Moose the rod I have is flexible but that is really not a problem. I am new to muzzleloading and my brother in law bought me some accessories for my gun, but by accident, I think he bought me a .54cal cleaning jag and when I used it, it was stuck and I didn't have enough of the rod sticking out of the barrel to grab a hold of. I eventually got it out with my son holding the gun and me grabbing the rod with a pair of pliers. I thought if I had a t-handle it would've been easier to get it out. I was curious to see what type of rods people were using because there are so many diffrent types out there.

 

[Rebel]

When you got the jag stuck did you have a patch on it? If so, was it at least damp? Never run a dry patch down a dirty barrel, you are just asking for a stuck jag if you do. If the jag is too big you can chuck it in a drill and turn it on and then hold a file against it to decrease the diameter.

 

[Jeff3374]

Hi Rebel,
Thanks for the tip on decreasing the size of the cleaning jag, never thought of that. Yes I did have a cleaning patch on the jag but I was just drying the inside of the barrel. It's a good thing or like you said it probably would have been even more difficult to get it out. Thanks for your input.

 

[boar]

If I have a removeable liner I always just check and see if I can get it out, you don't have to take it out, but I want to be able to if I have too, shoot out a jag,ball with no powder. Black powder can weld them in if you don't watch. Dilly