Ramrods

[chawbeef]

Do ramrods get any kind of "finish"?????? Just wondering cuz I got one in a kit and it seems a bit "raw".............Daniel

 

[Stumpkiller]

Depends. I use the same stain the rifle or gun gets, usually Laurel Mountain, and thereafter wipe it occasionally with boiled linseed oil.

There's no law that says you have to.

 

[eggwelder]

i stained and oiled the one i made, but it is taking on its own patina from the barrel and use.

 

[larryp]

I recently replaced the one on my belt pistol after loosing the original while out hunting. I used a Walnut stain and then a few coats of Tru-oil. I figure sealing it with Tru-oil will keep it from swelling in the thimbles with moisture on a wet day in the field.

 

[coloradoclyde]

Stain and then I put Tung oil on it....I also give it additional coats of oil periodically over time...

 

[Vaino]

I stain and then apply the same finish as on the gun....it's a finish that doesn't leave anything on the surface that will get scraped off. Have yet to finish a RR that has exactly the same color as the gun although the same stain was used.....the RR is hickory and the guns are maple......Fred

 

[chawbeef]

Thanks to all for the replies. My new rod feels like it should be sanded smooth.
Would a coat of Aqua Fortis be necessary or a waste of time??..............Daniel

 

[Black Hand]

Would a coat of Aqua Fortis be necessary or a waste of time??

Not necessary...

 

[Rifleman1776]

Not needed, strictly a matter of taste. What few wood rods I use get a wipe down with lemon oil occasionally.

 

[BrownBear]

Depends. I use the same stain the rifle or gun gets, usually Laurel Mountain, and thereafter wipe it occasionally with boiled linseed oil.

There's no law that says you have to.

Same treatment here, but in fact there's local common sense for the BLO, even if it's not quite a "law."

We're so wet around here, a nice fit of your ramrod to the pipes/channel is problematic without the finish on the rod. Even a little bit of swelling from wet can "freeze" a rod into place on a gun. Anyone, anywhere, who gets stuck out in the rain can expect the same.

And that's a wee bit awkward, to say the least! :rotf:

 

[Mickc01]

I like the contrast of lighter ramrod to darker stained rifle. Thereby, I also like the idea of just rubbing a little tung oil into it to give it some protection and a slight finish....just my 2 cents, Mick

 

[George]

I've never put any finish or sealer on mine, but I give them a light wipe with wood or leather stain when first made, and from then on give them a rubdown with the paste lube I rub the gun with every time it's cleaned. I have had a rod swell and get stuck a bit in the thimbles, but not since I started this routine.

Spence

 

[tenngun]

Depends. I use the same stain the rifle or gun gets, usually Laurel Mountain, and thereafter wipe it occasionally with boiled linseed oil.

There's no law that says you have to.

:metoo:
I don't have a gun with it right now, and many people think it looks like a joke, but I like the candy stripe or barber pole look on a later ml American style rifle.

 

[hanshi]

I usually stain mine and apply some type of protective finish.

 

[SgtErv]

I'm considering Tru-Oil on mine, which is currently just stained. It fits in the pipes so perfectly I may just leave it as is

 

[Einsiedler]

Many years ago we soaked our ramrods in coal oil. Anyone else?

When done and dressed down they wouldn't swell in the thimbles any more.

 

[azmntman]

Swell? :hmm: Seems all mine become progressively looser :idunno:

 

[Einsiedler]

Like what Spence was referring to. When an untreated or newer wood rod gets wet. It happens.

Also seemed to create a more durable/tempered rod.

 

[Black Hand]

Many years ago we soaked our ramrods in coal oil. Anyone else?

When done and dressed down they wouldn't swell in the thimbles any more.

Also seemed to create a more durable/tempered rod.

Much testing has shown soaking in coal oil really has no influence on durability. It would however make the rod less subject to moisture, but nothing more than could be achieved by a finish.

Ultimately, soaking was a waste of time and effort...

 

[Einsiedler]

Ok, no time or energy lost here! 😁
Jez throwin' out the question.

Much obliged