Ramrods

I've done a lot of surfing on this site and have observed a vast amount of input. Most of it very good and informative. I've learned quite a lot from just sitting back and reading the posts that the fellow members of this forum have posted.

There is something that I want to question. I hear a lot of mention concerning Range Rods. I'm aware of what they are.

My question is this, why do you really need them? Maybe I'm off point by wanting to prepare myself for field conditions. I'm primarily a hunter not a target shooter. When I go into the woods the only ramrod I have is the one attached to my rifle.

I use this ramrod for everything. I load with it at the range. I load with it in the woods, and I clean my rifle with it. It's the only rod I use. (Of course I have several spare new rods in storage should I need them).

Am I the only guy that does this?

 

[Charley Hart]

I do the same except for the cleaning. I use a shotgun cleaning kit on my 50 cal and larger rifles.

There is nothing wrong with using a range rod while at the range, probably is mart, I just haven't used one...yet...

 

[Stumpkiller]

I do not use a range rod. Just a good hickory rammer that rides in the thimbles. I also keep a longer one (also hickory) at home for cleaning.

 

[Big John]

When I head into the woods I also use the ramrod stored in the thimbles, considering you probaly will fire few shots it's fine. But while target shooting or at competitions I use a range rod. My reasons are: I can control the pressure of seating the patch/ball better with a rod that doesn't bend,also with many shots taken, more cleaning and an occasional ball to be pulled is easier with a handled range rod.

 

[roundball]

When I head into the woods I also use the ramrod stored in the thimbles, considering you probaly will fire few shots it's fine. But while target shooting or at competitions I use a range rod. My reasons are: I can control the pressure of seating the patch/ball better with a rod that doesn't bend,also with many shots taken, more cleaning and an occasional ball to be pulled is easier with a handled range rod.

Ditto

 

[FishDFly]

At the range, I use a range rod.

For hunting I have changed out the wooden ramrod to a brass. It's much safer and will not break.

I had a friend who broke his wooden ramrod while seating a ball and the ramrod stuck in his forearm, leaving a very deep puncture wound.

Cost of a brass ramrod is cheaper than the cost of the emergency room.

 

[Arrowstorm]

some people want to save thier ramrod because a wooden ramrod for a longrifle is not an easy thing to find. If you snap that sucker, you better believe you're gonna learn how to fashion your own ramrod real quick. Lol. I don't use a range rod either. i use my plain old wooden ramrod. I have snapped the one that came with my rifle. i bought a dowel, took the brass fittings off the old ramrod and made me a new one. works great, and as long as I mind what I'm doing, there is no threat of snapping it again. I load with it, swab with it, and when I get home, I clean with it. Of course, this fouls up the finish on the rod.. but... who cares? You think our forefathers used 3 different ramrods; wood, brass and fiberglass or whatever for the care of thier rifles? I doubt it. And even if they did.... I still don't really see the need for more than one rod to take care of all my needs. That's what your ramrod is there for.

 

[vito1994]

Last night I received two brass rods to replace the wooden ones I have made up from October Country. They are very well done and I'm more than happy with them.

They are tapped at each end for 10/32 and I had them make them up so that I could keep a ball cup screwed to one end and still maintain the proper length for under the barrel. Purchased a brass handle that also screw into the tap on the opposite side. Can remove the cup at anytime to replace with cleaning jags, patch snares or ball pullers and still have the ability to have a handle secured to the opposite end. Can pull, push as hard as I need to. Might not even need that ball starter any more.

They are heavier than the wood but they are solid as a rock. I now don't need to carry around a range rod because these do double duty. They are not PC or HC. But, I don't have to worry about putting a broken dowel through my arm or breaking one at the wrong time.

The wooden ones will go into the gun case for safe keeping.

 

Glad to know that someone else thinks like me!

 

[Swampman]

If you don't mind the extra weight and authenticiy isn't an issue, then brass is fine. If you're going to use brass, why not just get a plastic or fiberglass ramrod.

 

The problem I see with the brass cleaning rods is the possible wear to the crown of the muzzle. Of course if you are using a muzzle guard this should'nt present a problem. I don't want to be bothered with such. Therefore, I prefer the hickory ramrod.

 

[roundball]

"...I still don't really see the need for more than one rod to take care of all my needs. That's what your ramrod is there for..."

It's simple...convenience and speed at the range.

I actually carry a set of 4 range rods, each one already set up with a different accessory:

1) Cleaning/seating jag
2) Patch retriever
3) Ball Puller
4) .30cal brush to hold patch while reaching down into patent breech

All my range rods are strong fiberglass, covered with a soft polymer coating so I don't have to bother with a muzzle guide, and have a 2" wooden ball on one end.

 

Roundball, just curious, don't you ever find it somewhat cumbersome carrying all those ramrods around?

 

[roundball]

Roundball, just curious, don't you ever find it somewhat cumbersome carrying all those ramrods around?

My post mentions the range...I carry 4 range rods with me....to the range...that's why they're called range rods...I carry them from the house to the Blazer, drive to the range, and carry them from the Blazer to the shooting table...it's not difficult.
:rotf:

 

[CrackStock]

Fly,

I may or may not use a range rod depending upon the shooting that I will be doing.

If I am punching paper and swabing between shots, I do not wish to abrade my muzzle and bore unnecessarily, so I use a stainless steel rod with a boreguide/muzzle protector. This is an appropriate use of the range rod and as pointed out above why it was developed.

I will use this same method to do most cleaning at the end of the day for the same reasons.

However, if I am hunting or walking a woodswalk type event, I simply use my wooden rod and take care to only take small distances of the rod to avoid injuring myself as described above. Wood can be safe if there is no grain run out and you are careful in how you grasp it.

I rarely use my fusil de chasse at the range and just keep the button jag on the end of it all of hte time. My Tennessee is my target gun and I am not even sure if I have a jag to fit its wooden rod. I could use the small tow worm in my bag if pressed, I guess.

Different processes for different situations.

CS

 

[DrTimboone]

I use the hickory rod I carry in the thimbles for everything. (Except when cleaning at home I have an old one I use for cleaning....) Just insert it 6 inches at a time and it is unlikely to break. Pulls balls well too. It is tapered down to 5/16 at the tip end and 7/16 plain wood at the muzzle end to push the balls and patch down my coned muzzle.

Why, cause I want to practice doing everything at the range the same way I do it in the field when hunting. I do have a couple of spares made up..but havenever had to use one. I figure if the hickory wears the muzzle it will just make the barrel more antique! :hatsoff:

 

[paulvallandigham]

The reason we use steel rods with muzzle guards for cleaning is not that wood is going to damage the harder steel of the barrel. But that softer wood can hold onto debris that includes silicon, hard as glass, and that may grind away at the muzzle over time. I love my hickory ramrods, and I wipe them clean several times during use. I have also finished them with stock finish to close the pores to limit the amount and size of debris they may collect. But, I use that steel rod with the fiberglass muzzle protector when I clean and load on the range, and at home.

About that hand over hand technique to using a wooden ramrod. Make sure to have your fingers only wrapped around the stick as you pull and push it down the muzzle, 6 inches at a time. Keep your thumb out, and away from the rod, so you don't grab the rod with it. The natural reaction of your fingers when something moves involuntarily in them is to open up. If your thumb stops that event, or even slows it, you can lose a finger, or thumb, should a spark send that ramrod back out of the barrel. Keep your thumb down and along side the index finger, and " monkey grip " the rod as you run it into the barrel during loading and cleaning.

 

That's exactly how I feel on the subject! You practice for field conditions. No different than I had in all my years of military training. If you don't practice for field conditions than why even practice at all!

 

[CrackStock]

There is not a lot tactical about swabbing a ML bore, but I see how some might want to do all of this in a period manner.

But when I want that experience, I go out with my 2ns SC buddies and we "Prime and load!"

CS

 

[Stumpkiller]

Roundball, just curious, don't you ever find it somewhat cumbersome carrying all those ramrods around?

My post mentions the range...I carry 4 range rods with me....to the range...that's why they're called range rods...I carry them from the house to the Blazer, drive to the range, and carry them from the Blazer to the shooting table...it's not difficult.
:rotf:

I hope that Blazer has leather seats so it's period correct. :rotf: