Ramrod for a .40 caliber?

[oldwood]

In any set of thimbles where a 3/8" will fit , never use a smaller rod. I don't make too many guns less than .40 these days , but lf I had to , I would make a custom size rod for what ever the cal. might be. They don't fallout of the thimbles even shooting down .

 

[flntlokr]

Thanks guys. I have a 3/8 rod and thimbles, was thinking about a 5/16.

Stick with the 3/8. Safety first. The skinnier the rod, the more likely to break (or bend, if you are into metal or plastic).

 

[Flint62Smoothie]

I think a 3/8" ramrod would look clumsy on a 40 longrifle ...

FWIW I made up a hollow (thick wall) range rod of 5/16" OD brass tubing and it is 'de bomb'! Tubing has 50% of the weight at 95+% of the strength of solid bar stock. Use vendors like Online Metals, etc., whichever has the cheapest product and shipping co$ts out to you.

 

[oldwood]

I seem to lean toward old fashioned , rifle rods are custom made , to fit thimbles of a gun. Wood range rod , just under bore size , to clean and load at the bench ,and 3/16" x 48" steel rod for pullin balls , tough chores like that. All range rods will have a ball of some size to eliminate slippage , on a hard push or pull.