Ramrod shortage?

[appalichian hunter]

Take a walk in the woods, its full of them.

 

[alcessapiens]

For a simple test to scratch the itch, cut a 1" x3' straight live branch of both Ash And Hickory and put it on your knee and try to snap them. Make sure they are clear without knots. I think you'll see the difference

My grandma could well inform you all about the relative strength of various wood switches.

 

[springfield art]

First there was a powder shortage, then a cap shortage, then lead was scrounged, now we have a wooden rod shortage? Sheesh, no wonder the world went with fixed ammo! I'd use a fiberglass one and keep patient until a good hickory showed up. The guys who mentioned the dealers gave some good leads; good luck!

 

[senseisugarbear]

Port Orford Cedar is used for high poundage arrows for stick bows..might try looking at Archery sites.....Be Safe>>Wally

 

[alcessapiens]

Fiberglass is not so nice on muzzles so use a brass bore protector. My range rod is a surplus .50 BMG rod I drilled and tapped fort 10-32. It’s clean shiny steel but still wears a brass protector. Wrap it before you tap it.

 

[senseisugarbear]

10-4 , On the Wrap it before you tap it.........Be Safe>>>>>>>>Wally

 

[SciAggie]

Take a walk in the woods, its full of them.

Depends on where you live. Mesquite, oak, and pecan are all you'll find here.

 

[beardedhorse]

Straight grained hickory is best but you take your chances ordering by mail sight unseen. Made lots of arrows from shoots, canes and lumber since 1957. Ramin is hit or miss. Stuff I ordered from Track wound up being pegs for rendezvous furniture. Snapped in just light hand straightening. Trick of soaking in coal oil or kerosene did not extend life of rod and they stink for a while. Use of metal range rod with bore protector lessens the wear on wooden rods. Hickory rods ride in my pipes for re enactment and hunting. Flowering dogwood is stiff and can be straightened but the pair opposite bud scars where knots and twigs were are a weak point. Exotics like rosewood nice for show on pistols and shotguns. Good hickory should not break if you use correct technique in loading and cleaning. Pecan is related to hickory. I test for moisture content with my moisture meter. Below 7% is getting brittle. Thank you all for list of other suppliers.

 

[user 48679]

Stiff or not doesn’t matter, it comes down to how straight the grain is. Most dowel rods are cut without regard to grain. Doesn’t mean that some cut dowels don’t have straight grain.

And split RR's are a pain in the.........er, hand....

 

[SnowCrow]

Mark Knopfler is one of the best finger picking guitarist ever. I bet he has piles of ramrods and microwave ovens

He might have had them turned down from old Telegraph poles

 

[deerstalkert]

If in dire straits you’re likely rich from album sales and can afford all the ramrods you want

Mark Knopfler inspired me to play the guitar! my wife, dogs, neighbors, and 10 thousand angels, all inspired me to stop playing!

 

[alcessapiens]

Mark Knopfler inspired me to play the guitar! my wife, dogs, neighbors, and 10 thousand angels, all inspired me to stop playing!

Great guitarist,odd right hand technique .

 

[vintovka]

This thread brings back some bad memories. The day the rangemaster forgot to bring the First Aid kit was the worst. Makes me careful to keep even the plastic and steel rods straight when loading. Witnessed disastrous result by newbie attempting to ram load down by slamming rod against Range post. Ugh.

 

[tenngun]

My local hardware store has some very straight stiff dowel rods that would be great for a ramrod. Much stiffer than the rods that came with my 3 rifles. Might check your local hardware store.

We, me included like hickory. But if you use a rod correctly even a dowel works great. Short strokes, never hold more then six or eight inches above the bore so the rod doesn’t bend and thus break and shiskabob your hand

 

[tenngun]

Did just buy 1/2 rods from Track last month. It’s only an hours job at the most to fit them to your gun

 

[BS2366]

We, me included like hickory. But if you use a rod correctly even a dowel works great. Short strokes, never hold more then six or eight inches above the bore so the rod doesn’t bend and thus break and shiskabob your hand

That's how I always loaded my inlines. Short strokes, less bending, less chance of breaking.

 

[tenngun]

The old timers used an extra wiping stick. 7/16 will fit a .45 though most .45 carry a smaller rod. A 9/16 will fit a .54 or .58

 

[DuncNZ]

what size do you need? i bought a bundle of them from track 2 weeks ago

That is why there is a shortage .

 

[Hatchet-Jack]

My land is chalk full of shagbark hickory trees. I need to split some and make my own wiping sticks.

 

[deerstalkert]

That is why there is a shortage .

if 2 delrin 3/8" and 2 hickory 3/8" and 4 5/16" in my bundle caused a shortage, boys we are sunk!