Need some advice on ramrod channel

[Bugman]

In cleaning my rifle, some water must have found its way down my ramrod channel. The wood seemed to swell and my ramrod wouldn't go all the way back down. I let it set for a week so the swelling would go down. It didn't and I still cannot seat my ramrod - it seizes with about 3 inches of ramrod in front of the muzzle. Any suggestions?

 

[Black Hand]

I'd run my ramrod drill down the opening, but you may not have one available. You might have some luck if you can get a dowel in there that has sandpaper attached to the end. Once you get clearance, put a piece of cotton cloth on a wire and get finish in the hole so it doesn't swell again.

 

[Bugman]

I don't have access to a drill long enough. Your idea with the dowel has merit. Thanks for your reply.

 

[Black Hand]

I would try making a saw cut through the end of the dowel, then wrap a strip of sandpaper nearly all the way around (the start is captured in the cut) and using a drill to slowly spin the dowel as you work it up and down. I'd also use cloth-backed sandpaper as the paper-backed won't hold up well. Pay attention to the wrap direction and the direction of rotation so you are working with and not against the wrap.

 

[trigrcreep]

You might also *** a round file into an old arrow and reilieve the swelling or slightly taper the ramrod to fit. Good luck

 

[No Deer]

I think the easiest thing to do would be to taper the ramrod, that way it will not happen again. Sealing the inside of the ramrod channel would also help to keep it from swelling up again.

 

[rich pierce]

I think the easiest thing to do would be to taper the ramrod, that way it will not happen again. Sealing the inside of the ramrod channel would also help to keep it from swelling up again.

Bingo!

 

[droptine55]

just a thought, did you have the barrel out of the stock, and could have the ramrod retainer spring have gotten flipped. this has happen to me.

 

[Keb]

Take the front lock screw out & try it again.

 

[Flint62Smoothie]

All good suggestions ...

 

[Bugman]

The rifle was not disassembled; it was just a little water overflowed the muzzle when I ran the cleaning jag down the barrel.

I will try the dowel/sandpaper suggestion, that should work.

 

[SDSmlf]

Assuming you have a 3/8” ramrod hole, here is an inexpensive option. https://www.harborfreight.com/516-in-38-in-716-in-25-in-long-wood-bit-set-3-pc-68823.html. With one of their 20% off coupons and a free “whatever” coupon not a very expensive way to go.

 

[mr.flintlock]

Assuming that you can remove the ramrod but just can't seat it all the way in, you might try shooting warm air into the ramrod channel with a hair dryer to remove any moisture. As others have suggested, reaming out and sealing the channel or sanding the end of your ramrod are good ideas to help prevent this from happening again. Last year I was hunting with my .58 fullstock flinter, in the rain and my ramrod got stuck in. I didn't thing I would ever get it out in one piece, but I finally did.

 

[Grenadier1758]

The Harbor Freight long drills are okay if you only have to drill 24". To use in a full stock rifle, the bit would have to be extended to exceed the length of the ramrod channel.

 

[Bent Sight]

When I take my CVA Kentucky rifle apart, I can look down at the barrel channel in the stock and see the last few inches the ramrod passes through before it seats. Is your rifle built the same way?

 

[Bugman]

I haven't disassembled the rifle. Reluctant to do so. I'm used to barrel bands, not wedges :shocked2:

 

[Black Hand]

With a hook breech: Bring the lock to half-cock and remove the wedge(s) - the barrel should come right out.

 

[Gene L]

As suggested, I'd sand the ramrod end until it fit. Nothing to lose by doing that. My TVM ramrod was very tight when I got it, but a little judicious sanding makes it fit just right.