Jumpshot
54 Cal.
I want to replace the plastic rod that came with my Deerstalker. Looking at Track's offerings, I see they have ramin and hickory. I've never even seen ramin wood before. What are it's characteristics? Is it better than hickory?
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Ramin ramrods?
- Thread starter Jumpshot
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mikemeteor
45 Cal.
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+1.
avoid the ramin.
I tried one 2 years ago and it broke while I was spinning on the threaded tip. No good.
avoid the ramin.
I tried one 2 years ago and it broke while I was spinning on the threaded tip. No good.
Jumpshot
54 Cal.
Cool, thanks for the advice.
PreserveFreedom
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Well this thread has taught me one should avoid ramin rods like one avoids ramen noodles.
I think ramin ain't good for ramming. 
talkingamoeba
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Sounds like you would be able to 'ram' it 'in', but not be able to pull it out once it breaks :wink:
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:barf:
paulvallandigham
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Ramin is a wood from the tropics of Asia. It does not stand up to the dry conditions, and colder weather that we have here in the USA. It is NOWHERE near the quality of American Grown Hickory.
Hickory will make a much better rod that will last your lifetime, and more. You are looking for STRAIGHT GRAINED Hickory. That means you don't want to see lines of grain running out the side of the stick.
Hickory is a dense hardwood, that resists stretching, and shrinking over its length. It remains incredibly flexible even after it is dried. BUT, if you cut the wood on an angle to the grain so that you create run-out, that is where the hickory will break or split. Since the wood is hard, that broken edge is hard and sharp, and makes for some nasty stab wounds. Shop for straight grained Hickory and you will never have that problem. :thumbsup:
Hickory will make a much better rod that will last your lifetime, and more. You are looking for STRAIGHT GRAINED Hickory. That means you don't want to see lines of grain running out the side of the stick.
Hickory is a dense hardwood, that resists stretching, and shrinking over its length. It remains incredibly flexible even after it is dried. BUT, if you cut the wood on an angle to the grain so that you create run-out, that is where the hickory will break or split. Since the wood is hard, that broken edge is hard and sharp, and makes for some nasty stab wounds. Shop for straight grained Hickory and you will never have that problem. :thumbsup:
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I have used Ramin for ramrods by selecting a few from large bins for zero runout. Dont waste your time. Either brass rod or split hickory are your best choices. The noodles arent too bad.
I broke the hickory RR for my gun, I used brass rod for the new one, drilled and tapped for 10/32 accessories. I did buy a new wood RR and still use it when I'm done with the brass. I have a brass range rod, a brass RR for my pistol and going to make a range rod for my pistol. I like wood but I like the brass and the looks of it too. I used the broken RR for my pistol as the one that was supplied for it was cheap and broke right away.....
I tried ramin for arrowshafts and was very disappointed. It's a common wood used for hardware store dowels (as is poplar). The ramin tended to snap right behind the head - which is a similar fitting to a metal ramrod tip. Stick with hickory.
rafterob
62 Cal.
I bought two old Rammin rods last year and haven't broken them yet. More than I can say for the 4 Hickory rods I broke before those. Of course, that was before I learned about the importance of avoiding grain runnout. anyway, they are working good for me. they are quite a bit more flexible than hickory and in my case a lot more crooked also.
Rhett Griffith
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I also made a dozen arrows with ramin a few years ago. They were a little cheaper than Port Orford cedar, but they only lasted about through about 6 weeks of practice. :cursing: They seemed to be more brittle than the cedar. Hickory would seem a better option for ramrods. Does anyone know what the ramrods are made from that Dixie Gunworks sells as "Hardwood Ramrods"? Judging by the price (5 for $5) and the lack of the word "Hickory", I suspect they might be ramin.
FL-Flinter
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I paid a small fortune and got way overcharged on the shipping for four dozen 48" alleged-to-be "turned from split Hickory" RR blanks and out of the 48 blanks I got a seven that had at least 36" usable and only one that was suitable for a 42" barrel. The lot after that (from a different supplier) was for two dozen blanks that were supposedly "hand inspected" which apparently meant that the "inspector" merely saw a stick of wood because not a single one was any good for a RR and of course more wasted shipping returning garbage that shouldn't have even been sent in the first place.
I've used some Ramen blanks, Hogwood is better but good stock in either one is plenty worthy of RR duty if you can't buy Hickory or Pecan in-person.
I've used some Ramen blanks, Hogwood is better but good stock in either one is plenty worthy of RR duty if you can't buy Hickory or Pecan in-person.
phoenix511
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The hickory ram rod is far superior, as others on this thread have stated, than ramin.
I've made several purchases of hickory ram rods from the person who has an ad for many years in the classsified section of both "Muzzle Blasts" and "Muzzleloader" magazines. Telephone (573) 547-4540, Steve Bailey.
They came 46" long. Most, being wood, had a slight twist but no grain run-out. If you expect absolute straight, no run out, then perhaps the fibreglass rod is best.
Nothing in wood will ever equal the straightness of O1 drill rod or brass/copper round stock. I like a slight twist as it helps keep the ram rod in the thimbles while carrying the firearm.
I've made several purchases of hickory ram rods from the person who has an ad for many years in the classsified section of both "Muzzle Blasts" and "Muzzleloader" magazines. Telephone (573) 547-4540, Steve Bailey.
They came 46" long. Most, being wood, had a slight twist but no grain run-out. If you expect absolute straight, no run out, then perhaps the fibreglass rod is best.
Nothing in wood will ever equal the straightness of O1 drill rod or brass/copper round stock. I like a slight twist as it helps keep the ram rod in the thimbles while carrying the firearm.
