Ramrod help

[Jeffsheyn]

Brand new to muzzleloaders… bough this flintlock last week and noticed the ramrod would disappear inside an empty barrel. Ordered a new ramrod cut it off where I could get 3 fingers on it in an empty barrel.

what I’m finding is the storage hole doesn’t appear to be long enough! Is is possible to drill it deeper now. I mean I knows possible … it’s wood.
The picture is of the new rod bottomed out in an empty barrel and also bottomed out in storage… looks pretty funny worst case scenario I’m handing a flag from it!

 

[Grimord]

The tip of the ram rod is generally flush with the end of the barrel when stored in the thimbles. The ram rod accessories (i.e. jag, ball puller, patch puller) if attached to the end of the ram rod would stick out beyond the end of the barrel when the ram rod is stored in the thimbles.

 

[Jeffsheyn]

Is it normal that a rod is 4” shorter than the barrel?

 

[sawyer04]

The rod hole is fairly close to the workings of the lock and trigger. I would check and double check before drilling any more. Is the new ram the same size on both ends? I have ran into a situation where the ends were the same size, but the breech end was smaller for storing in rifle.
I make my ram rods so the flag idea isn't that far fetched. It doesn't effect the shot and creates a conservation piece.
Now, that being said, are you satisfied there is not a ramrod end stuck in the rifle from a previous ramrod?

 

[Jeffsheyn]

I positive the barrel and the the ramrod hole are clear of any debris.

I’m simply out of room. I would love it to be flush with the barrel but then it’ll be 4” short

 

[Grenadier1758]

Many Southern Mountain Rifles and Plains Rifles have ramrods 4" longer than the muzzle of the barrel. Paintings contemporary with the period often show ramrods extending beyond the muzzle.

Mark your ramrod when it is inserted in the barrel. I would use painter's tape as the marker. In the ramrod channel, where does the ramrod stop? Is it by the front lock screw or some other lock part? Remove the front lock screw. Can the ramrod be inserted further? Often the front lock bolt has be thinned for the ramrod to be fully installed.

 

[jdw276]

One of my rifles, the lock screw holding the lock in place went through the ramrod hole not allowing the ramrod to be fully inserted into the slot under the lock. Had to shave about 1/3 of the ramrod diameter off about 4" to create a slimmer ramrod to fit into the hole. I would remove the lock and see if that might allow full insertion of the ramrod. Mine was a large siler lock.

 

[oldwood]

Grenadier is on the right track. Another check might be , to insert a thinner stiff wire to the bottom of the r/r hole and compare. Otherwise , do as Grenadier suggests , and remove the front lock plate screw , and check the rod again.

 

[Norman Brooks]

Could be interference with the front lock screw, or the drilled hole drifted to the lock side and would hit the main spring. pull lock and look to see if anything is a miff. My first Tennessee drifted and came out in the lock area of the spring. Had to glue a short length of ram rod in. My ram rod sticks out about 3" in front of the muzzle...

 

[ord sgt]

IMHO, the wood ramrod on all of my rifles are there for show only. When I go to shoot, I use a range rod for loading and cleaning. If I do choose to use the stored ramrod, I will attach a jag, just to give a little extra length. These ideas work for me. Your results may vary.

 

[sprucefly]

I always have an extra 4" sticking out. Easier to grab. Also acts as a bumper or fender. I've broken off several rr tips but my muzzle and front sight always always survived unharmed and nothing got stuck in the muzzle if I tripped or pulled some other old fart stunt!

 

[PathfinderNC]

I have a couple where the forward lock bolts run smack-dab through the ramrod hole. Can’t modify either bolt or rod. I use a ramrod extender for field use, which screws into the tip of the ramrod and gives an extra 4 or 5 inches. I generally use a range rod fir loading anyway.

 

[Bighorserider]

My first flint lock build has the problem of the front lock bolt interfering with the ram rod. I tapered the ram rod and filed away about half the thickness of the bolt to get it to work. Of course the ramrod will only go all thevvway in if the bolt is properly positioned.

 

[Fly Navy]

I cut the ramrod on my SMR 1" longer than the end of the barrel. This makes it a lot easier for me to pull it out.

 

[French Colonial]

Grenadier is on the right track.

Remove the lock and the screws that hold it and try again. Your FIRST PRIORITY is to discover WHY it will not go to the proper depth, which should be the same depth as the bore of the rifle.

If its an issue that it was not drilled deep enough to start that can be fixed by drilling it deeper.
If its the bolt interfering you MAY get by by thinning the waist of the bolt unless the bolt is dead center in the ramrod channel.
If the bolt is dead center in the ramrod channel you can fix that as well by eliminating the front bolt with a hook afixed to the front lock bolt hole to hold the front of the lock tight in the mortise.

First find out what is wrong.

 

[Rifleman1776]

Is it normal that a rod is 4” shorter than the barrel?

The rod that comes with a new rifle IS NOT some precious thing that must be treated like a sacred icon. It is a rod of wood, nothing more. It should be as long as you want it. Mine are usually 1" to 1 1/2" longer than the barrel when in the thimbles. This gives me something to grab onto when loading or cleaning in the field. Order yourself a few spares from one of the many vendors and also get brass tip to use on them.

 

[Jeffsheyn]

Many Southern Mountain Rifles and Plains Rifles have ramrods 4" longer than the muzzle of the barrel. Paintings contemporary with the period often show ramrods extending beyond the muzzle.

Mark your ramrod when it is inserted in the barrel. I would use painter's tape as the marker. In the ramrod channel, where does the ramrod stop? Is it by the front lock screw or some other lock part? Remove the front lock screw. Can the ramrod be inserted further? Often the front lock bolt has be thinned for the ramrod to be fully installed.

You're a genius......Removed front lock screw and she went in perfect.... I suppose this is how you learn!

 

[French Colonial]

Is it normal that a rod is 4” shorter than the barrel?

No it is not.

 

[Grenadier1758]

You're a genius......Removed front lock screw and she went in perfect.... I suppose this is how you learn!

I'm not a genius. I've just accumulated a lot of experience.

 

[flntlokr]

Brand new to muzzleloaders… bough this flintlock last week and noticed the ramrod would disappear inside an empty barrel. Ordered a new ramrod cut it off where I could get 3 fingers on it in an empty barrel.

what I’m finding is the storage hole doesn’t appear to be long enough! Is is possible to drill it deeper now. I mean I knows possible … it’s wood.
The picture is of the new rod bottomed out in an empty barrel and also bottomed out in storage… looks pretty funny worst case scenario I’m handing a flag from it!

on one of my rifles, the forward lock bolt gets into the rod channel. I cut away about 1/3 of the diameter of the rod so it has a flat side for the last couple of inches that will slide under the screw. I am also one of those who likes a couple of inches of rod sticking out the front, so the rod is long anyhow.