Ramrod for a Pedersoli Indian trade musket

[Henry2357]

Would anyone know the size and what’s the best replacement ramrod for the Pedersoli trade musket. Looked through TOTW website and it’s not mentioned. If I had a measuring thingy I would measure the diameter of the original. I hear the original will break pretty quickly. Thank you. Joe

 

[Grenadier1758]

Everyone should have a precision measuring digital vernier caliper. Very acceptable ones can be bought for about $20. Harbor Freight, Midway USA and other retailers have them. There are too many uses that being without one is simply perplexing. With the digital readouts, reading the measurement is easy. Sure, you need a supply of the button batteries. But the Dollar stores can supply a blister pack of 4 batteries for $1. @Henry2357, you have no reasonable excuses not to have a digital vernier caliper.

 

[Mitch97]

Ooof, I'll offer an idea that isn't a lecture. Call up Track of The Wolf and talk to them - I'm sure they are familiar with both replacement ramrods and the originals. If nothing else they may have a caliper and a ramrod and be willing to get you a measurement.

 

[Henry2357]

I think it’s time for a caliper.

 

[TreeMan]

I always use the rod that came with my Pedersoli trade gun. It’s never offered to even bend let alone break. If I’m loading tight ball loads in it I’ll just use my brass range rod but for buckshot and non-super tight roundball loads the factory rod is fine. On my range rod I just use a 58 cal jag to load with. I’d have to be really dumb or overzealous with the factory rod to break it. Don’t stress about everything you read about the Pedersoli rods. If you’re going to be muzzleloading you need a good steel/brass range rod. There will come a time you will have a stuck ball and want to try tight loads. Wood rods just aren’t good and the best of them will break if you go to pounding a ball or trying to pull one. A good range rod is more important than calipers btw.

 

[Timber Wolf]

I know this is an old thread but the OP’s question never got answered. That and I was curious myself so I broke out the calipers and measured the rod on my new Pedersoli Trade Musket. It looks like .350-.357 is the range of measurements so, 9mm? If I had been really industrious I would have tried to slip a 3/8” rod in the Musket’s thimbles but I didn’t. I think Maniac broke the rod on his Pedersoli in one of his videos, so we know it can happen to the best of us. I use a steel rod at the range but would not in the woods. I use a hand over hand loading technique with the original rod and have had no issues, yet.

 

[Historian]

They are 9 mm. Call TOW that is where I bought my replacements.

 

[Dusty_Traveler]

The real question is, does Henry have a set of calipers yet?

 

[Bigpete]

Everyone should have a precision measuring digital vernier caliper. Very acceptable ones can be bought for about $20. Harbor Freight, Midway USA and other retailers have them. There are too many uses that being without one is simply perplexing. With the digital readouts, reading the measurement is easy. Sure, you need a supply of the button batteries. But the Dollar stores can supply a blister pack of 4 batteries for $1. @Henry2357, you have no reasonable excuses not to have a digital vernier caliper.

Well I'm sure he found that helpful lol

 

[Henry2357]

The real question is, does Henry have a set of calipers yet?

Yes, I changed both them when I replaced my pads.

But fun aside, I do now have a set and I did replace the original rod, and have the other as a back up.

 

[tenngun]

To get the size you buy a 7/16, remove a pipe, scrape rod till it almost fits the pipe, buff with some sand paper. You can leave the end past the front pipe swollen.
Perfect fit.

 

[Anvilboy]

I know it is probably sacrilege, but when you are looking for a rod that won't break when you are hunting, consider the fiberglass rods that are sold by Dixie. They are cheap - like 2 for $5 or so. I know that they are not good for rifles as they are abrasive, but for hunting with my .62 fowler, it should be okay for years. If you are really worried, use a muzzle protector.

 

[FlinterNick]

I would get a dowel in the following type, hickory, ash, holly oak, raemen or black locust.

Taper the rod from the end to the tip and tip with sheet brass and concave the end bare or you can drop a little epoxy on the tip to protect it.

I’ve only broken one rod in 15 years, and it was because i sat on it.

 

[flconch53]

To get the size you buy a 7/16, remove a pipe, scrape rod till it almost fits the pipe, buff with some sand paper. You can leave the end past the front pipe swollen.
Perfect fit.

Or just buy 9mm (.360) ram rod and put on a brass end

 

[Timber Wolf]

To get the size you buy a 7/16, remove a pipe, scrape rod till it almost fits the pipe, buff with some sand paper. You can leave the end past the front pipe swollen.
Perfect fit.

That would make a nice custom and “period correct” rod, except you would also have to open up the channel in the bottom of the stock for the “bulbous” end of the rod. Very doable, and an idea for a future project to make my Trade Musket my own.

 

[tenngun]

Mine on my smooth rifle, and TFC