Ramrod for a .40 caliber?
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Would probably start with a ram rod that fits in gun’s thimbles under the barrel.
5/16 anything less is too wobbly
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3/8 " is most used here. I've made and used 5/16 rods in .36 cal , but find them a little too flexible for larger than .36 ca..
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If you go with a brass one, eat your Wheaties....juts sayin'
LOL. My range rod is 5/16” stainless.
Why? Or am I missing something (very possible)? Trying to figure out what you hope to gain. If a hickory 3/8” diameter rod fits the guns thimbles, why reduce to 5/16” diameter? A 5/16” wood ramrod will be loose. And if you use a 5/16” brass rod with its added weight when compared to wood in 3/8” diameter thimbles, it will likely be loose and a chore to keep in place every time you move the gun.
What are you hoping to accomplish?
5/16 for me
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3/8"........won't regret it
Also 3/8. Might have to do a bit of sanding or tapering for a good fit in the ramrod hole, but worth it to have a bit more thickness than 5/16. 10-15 minutes effort.
hanshi
Cannon
My .40 carried a 3/8" wood rod, same size as the .45.
Seems the only guns I have right now that use a 5/16” diameter ramrod are 32 caliber, though I’ve had 36 caliber that used them. Everything 40 caliber and up will carry a 3/8” ramrod. I find 5/16” diameter wooden ramrods a bit too wispy for my liking, and avoid them if can. Range rods, different story. Have a couple 1/4” diameter steel ones, but we are talking wood ramrods here.
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Justin , making a r/r is not a big project. 1. Cut the 3/8" rod blank , about 2" longer than it needs to be. Put the end of the r/r blank in the electric hand drill's chuck and tighten enough to hold it in place. Use a r/r thimble to size the overall diameter of the 3/8" r/r blank. Use a piece ,4"X 4" of 40 grit sand paper. Put the sand paper in the palm of the hand and spin the r/r blank w/ hand drill. Start at one end of the rod blank and keep checking the new diameter of the end of the rod using the r/r thimble until the thimble fits. Be careful and work slowly until the entire rod isthe correct size. Use the same process to taper the rod into the gunstock r/r hole. I've made an armload of rods using this process............oldwood
3/8", it's what most kits would come with.
DuncNZ
54 Cal.
My range rod for my .40 is a long stainless .270 cal rod normally used for those other rifles , with a bore guide and the bearings in the handle glued with epoxy so I can twist the rod for cleaning the breach face . and a 5/16 " under barrel rod ,
Your rod would fall out whenever you turned fast or pointed the muzzle down. Why not use the 3'8ths as intended.
