Ram Rod Length

[mb3]

When you guys cut your ram rod, how much longer than the barrel do you find to be the perfect length?

 

[wattlebuster]

I like mine cut even with the muzzle. Just my personal preference :hatsoff:

 

[ohio ramrod]

I like mine so that the ramrod sticks out the barrel about an inch when swabing between shots.This usually leaves the end about 1/2 to 3/4 inch out past the barrel when in the thimbles. :idunno:

 

[SgtSchutzen]

I like mine to be even with the muzzle when they are in the thimbles. I only use the under barrel ramrod for loading in the field when hunting and usually don`t fire enough shots to need to swab my bore. Even if I do need to wipe my bore because fouling is building up I don`t wipe all the way the the breech plug anyway so a bore length ramrod works for field use.

 

[jdkerstetter]

I also cut even with the barrel end when in the pipes. Still leaves me a little to grab when in the barrel. If you want it a little longer for wiping put a threaded end on it and screw in a long jag. The heavy duty cleaning is best left to a range/cleaning rod anyway.

I hate to see a rod that sticks out past the barrel. One, it wasn't done that way orginally so it just looks wierd. Two, if it catches on anything while walking it can get broken or worse yet break out a pipe.

Enjoy, J.D.

 

[BrownBear]

I do about 95% of my shooting away from the range and niceties like range rods. I like my rods to extend a hand-width past the muzzle with a jag attached and resting in the bottom of the breech. That's so I can get my whole hand on the end of the rod if a patched jag ever sticks in wiping.

If you ever have to pull a ball, you'll want the rod/puller long enough for a full hand on the rod, too. I have several brass rod extensions that could be added to a shorter rod, but it seems that every time I need one the bloomin thing is back home rather than in my bag.

 

[mb3]

Thank you for the info guys. I will be cutting the rod on my Virginian this week.

 

[LRB]

It is just my opinion, but I believe a rod should not stick out farther than the muzzle when mounted, but yet be long enough to do all swabbing and cleaning with reasonable handling comfort, even if it means drilling the rod hole a bit deeper. I would count the jag length in with the overall length of the rod. I don't believe one should have to count on having a range rod in order to load or clean.

 

[BrownBear]

I don't believe one should have to count on having a range rod in order to load or clean.

I wholeheartedly agree! Lotta guys treat their rods as decorations. For me, they're tools for use on the rifle. All the time.

I don't really like the rod and jag sticking out past the muzzle because they hang in brush, but I never thought of just drilling the rod hole deeper. Doh! Thanks for that! :hatsoff:

 

[roundball]

"...I like mine to be even with the muzzle when they are in the thimbles. I only use the under barrel ramrod for loading in the field when hunting..."

+1
And I always carry a T-handle too avoid ending a hunt prematurely in case I ever get something stuck down bore.
Hasn't happened so far but with Murphy's Law hiding behind every tree, the first time I left the T-handle in the truck, I'd have to quit a hunt and walk back out to get it...LOL

 

[BrownBear]

And I always carry a T-handle too avoid ending a hunt early

They're mandatory in my book, if the rod is short enough you can't get your whole hand on it. Cold hands, wet hands, greasy hands.... It doesn't take much at all to make ramrods hard to grip against the resistance of a stuck ball or jag. And your hunt is surely over if your rod is stuck.

 

[LRB]

On some you may have to notch or shorten the trig guard lug to get clearance, or a tad more depth. I've had to do that a couple of times. When hunting, I keep a spare rod in camp, but I'm not going to carry it with me in the woods. Got enough to take care of without carrying a spare rod. Chances are, you will only have to use one shot if you are doing it right. I do reload just because where I hunt, it is not rare to be able to ground another after waiting a few minutes. When traveling as a pair, or in a group, seems like the survivors often come back for a look around. Curiosity can get a deer killed as well as a cat.

 

[Stophel]

Having the rod sticking out past the muzzle seems like a recipe for disater to me. Though you will see photos from the late 19th-early 20th century where this was done....

I drill the rod hole as deep as I can get it. I can usually end up with a rod that sticks out the muzzle maybe 3/4" with it bottomed out on the breech, which is just fine. Any cleaning implements will naturally lengthen the rod. I see no need to have it even longer. :idunno:

 

[juancho]

I can see that some consider the RR on the gun as almost an ornament not to be use unless in extreme cases. All my RR are flush with the muzzle as I fail to undestand the need to make it any longer.I carry in my bag a rod puller and have used it in verry rare instances when pulling a stuck or dry ball.All my shots are done with the gun rod ,even at the range.I do however carry a range rod with a cleanning jug.
After all muzzleloaders have a rod for a reason, to me is an integral part of the gun.If a rod breaks , something is not correct, gun , shooter, ball/patch ,rod , or a combination of some or all of them.
But take that to no offence, we are all free to do as we please. :v

 

[Sinner]

Having the rod sticking out past the muzzle seems like a recipe for disater to me. .... :idunno:

Why

 

[Rifleman1776]

And I always carry a T-handle too avoid ending a hunt early

They're mandatory in my book, if the rod is short enough you can't get your whole hand on it. Cold hands, wet hands, greasy hands.... It doesn't take much at all to make ramrods hard to grip against the resistance of a stuck ball or jag. And your hunt is surely over if your rod is stuck.

I make mine about 1 1/2" longer than muzzle, with jag tip on.
Yes, can get hung up on brush, that just means one must be careful.
I don't carry a T-handle but do carry a pair of mini-channel lock pliers to use for a variety of jobs. Pulling the rod is one. Not often but a lifesaver when necessary.

 

[Vaino]

Like the RRs to be flush w/ the muzzle. For ball pulling and cleaning, I carry a 6" length of 3/8" dia. brass rod w/ a #8-32 set screw on one end and a #10-32 on the other end. This extension works nicely in the field or at home.....Fred

 

[Stophel]

Having the rod sticking out past the muzzle seems like a recipe for disater to me. .... :idunno:

Why

very easily hung on everything...and then get broken. :wink:

 

[Longsmoke]

After I inlet the trigger guard I drill the hole deeper so the ramrod will touch it. This gives me the longest rod I can have without sticking out past the muzzle. I like them even with the barrel.

 

[Pigslayer]

And I always carry a T-handle too avoid ending a hunt early

They're mandatory in my book, if the rod is short enough you can't get your whole hand on it. Cold hands, wet hands, greasy hands.... It doesn't take much at all to make ramrods hard to grip against the resistance of a stuck ball or jag. And your hunt is surely over if your rod is stuck.

I make mine about 1 1/2" longer than muzzle, with jag tip on.
Yes, can get hung up on brush, that just means one must be careful.
I don't carry a T-handle but do carry a pair of mini-channel lock pliers to use for a variety of jobs. Pulling the rod is one. Not often but a lifesaver when necessary.

Mine are actually about 2 1/2" longer than the muzzle with the jag tip on. I like having enough to grab on to. Besides, I think it looks cool. Ah! Channel locks! Lifesavers!