Oiled Ramrods?

[hawkeye1755]

I read that some guys put their ramrods in a tube
with linseed oil or coal oil or Balistol.
Why did they do it? Flexibility? :hmm:
Did anybody do the same and how long must the ramrod remain in the tube?
:hatsoff:

 

[Swampman]

I never do, and in 30 years I've only had one break. That's was my fault and not the ramrods. I use hickory loading/cleaning rods too.

I'd use linseed if I were going to do it. The kerosene stinks to high heaven.

 

[boar]

If you can geta Dixie Gun Catalog, it tells about it in back,whole 9yrds. Dilly

 

[2172]

I usually soak a new ramrod in kerosene..the fancy lamp oil kind that smells sweet..still stinks, though...i've been told it makes the rod more flexible...don't know..have broken 3 rods in 30 years, all my fault..Hank

 

[Norskie]

I've used neetsfoot oil, rather than linseed. It doesn't get dry sticky and makes the wood more flexible than linseed. I just painted the neetsfoot on over the course of a week. I've used kerosene, but that ramrod broke anyway due to a hidden flaw.
Remember (as I did not) if you want to stain the rod, you have to do that first!

 

[LSU TIGER]

The trick is to use a split hickory ramrod, not one formed round by machine. The split rod is split along the grain, shaped with plane, rasp, and file. While not break-proof, it stands up better than others. So, to me, an oiled rod is a waste of oil & time.

 

[woodmaster62]

Hey All :hatsoff: , I agree with Leathermoose. I've soaked my Great Plains ramrod in Neetsfoot oil since I've
had it (1997 I think). I'm still on the orginal ramrod, and this gun has had a lot of lead thru it. I get done cleaning the gun, an I put the ramrod in it's cpvc tube filled with neetsfoot oil and leave it there until the next time I shoot. I wouldn't try to curl it, but it flexes very easily.
My brother in law used to laugh at me for
doing this, but he has broken 6 or 7 rods over the
years, so I think he is finally trying to soak his too.

Keep your powder dry ! grumpy bear :thumbsup:

 

[Swampman]

The neetsfoot oil smells as bad as the kerosene. I'd try olive oil or mineral oil. They both work fine on leather and they don't stink.

 

[djnye]

soaking ramrods in oil seems like an effective way to add a protective finish to the wood. however, i do not believe it contributes much, if any, to the rods flexibility. in the course of my work i often split four foot lengths of green hickory and bring them to approximately 3/8" thickness and then bend them into a round hoop of 14" diameter or even less with my fingers--no heat and no jigs. hickory,when green is a very plastic wood--and it retains much of that plasticity after curing.

for my own rods i color them with aqua fortis and allow them to acquire their own finish from the things they contact when in use. i use mink oil to lube myrtle's patches and that and all the other things that seem to get everywhere when i shoot put a beautiful hand-rubbed sheen on the rod in very short order.

take care, daniel

 

[Norskie]

Was that pure neetsfoot oil you smelled, or neetsfoot oil compound? I don't get much smell from mine.

 

[madbrad]

I just keep mine wiped down with BLO

 

[Blivetmaker]

What type of animal, exactly is a neet? Is rendering the oil from it's feet difficult? Can you eat the meat or use the pelt?
Inquiring minds want to know :grin:

 

[Zonie]

Well, sense you asked, you remember when you said a 3/4 pound Tenderloin Steak sure would be "neat" right now?
You wern't wrong! Real Neatsfoot oil is extracted from cattle hooves. :grin:

Now that stuff Mark was talking about that was stinky might have come from wringing out the socks of a high school football team after the season is over. :rotf: :rotf: :grin: