Range Rod - Brass or Aluminum
- Thread starter bighole
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gmww
70 Cal.
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I've used brass. It will add some weight. I like it for a couple of reasons. It can be polished or allowed to tarnish all the way to black if that suits your taste. I got mine from Oct. Country. He cuts them to your specified length and drills and taps both ends. One end is also textured so it has grip for your fingers.
I've never used aluminum. :hatsoff:
I've never used aluminum. :hatsoff:
bighole said:
I've gradually replaced all my under-rifle rods with brass one...most are solid brass as I like the extra weight for accuracy, and the fact that a solid rod one piece has no ends that can pull loose during a hunt or something.
I have a couple that are tubular brass for occasional still hunting (with pinned ends) but they're never-the-less still very stong & rigid...(.060" wall thickness)...had most all of them made by October Country, and I use nylon muzzle guides with all of them.
Hello, I have been lurking around here for the past three months or so just reading. This is my firts post. I have aluminum rods but have been gradually converting to brass. I have read somwhere that when aluminum rods oxidize, it forms aluminum oxide which is said to be very hard and will scratch the heck out of a bore. I dont know if this is true or not, but I dont want to find out the hard way. Plus Ilike the way my new brass ram rods look.
Regards-and I have been enjoying this forum very much.
lakota
Regards-and I have been enjoying this forum very much.
lakota
For range rods...I've been making some out of fiberglass rod from Dixie. it is solid brown, can be bent and not break, shapable ends to fit your ends on, drill and tap-able.
I have been using real old door knobs and/or pool balls for the "handles", although not PC.
Have used the same stuff for pistol rods and short starters, made my own ends using 30-06 or 270 cases cut of behind the shoulder, epoxied on, then drilled and tapped to 10-32. has worked well.
Dixie has this stuff for 2 48 inch lengths for 4 bucks, thats 2 bucks a rod!
fyi
Brett
I have been using real old door knobs and/or pool balls for the "handles", although not PC.
Have used the same stuff for pistol rods and short starters, made my own ends using 30-06 or 270 cases cut of behind the shoulder, epoxied on, then drilled and tapped to 10-32. has worked well.
Dixie has this stuff for 2 48 inch lengths for 4 bucks, thats 2 bucks a rod!
fyi
Brett
arcticap
54 Cal.
I favor converting extra thick wooden dowels for use as range rams. I select sizes not too much smaller than bore diameter, and I don't have to bother with using a bore guide while ramming.
If I need to use any attachments, I'll just use something else.
Since I use a mallet and short starter too, it would be very difficult for me to break a rod by simply ramming a PRB home, really! :thumbsup:
If I need to use any attachments, I'll just use something else.
Since I use a mallet and short starter too, it would be very difficult for me to break a rod by simply ramming a PRB home, really! :thumbsup:
Guest
Whereas I use a hickory rod with all of my period rifles/guns, I do have use for a range rod and have found a company in Colorado that makes excellent aircraft aluminum rods in various lengths--it is a machine shop (I think it is B&H, try googling for it)--I don't have their card anymore. The rods are fitted on one end with 8/32 and the other with 10/32 tool holes. They are black and anodized and tough. No worries about breaking them on a stuck load or etc...
That sounds like a slick rod...I like the concept of using the hickory rod for hunting or ramming away from the range but when at the big shoot when it's shooting paper that's the order of business the tough metal rods are a better tool
Particularly for pullin out the dry balls
Particularly for pullin out the dry balls
Smokey in Oz
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The fellow I got my Hawken from gave me one glass rod and one aluminium both with gear shifter knobs.
He refused to use wooden rods after one broke above the muzzle while ramming a ball home and it was driven into his forearm.
Smokey.
He refused to use wooden rods after one broke above the muzzle while ramming a ball home and it was driven into his forearm.
Smokey.
CrackStock
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I use a hickory rod in the gun, but use stainless steel for range rods. It is a fairly simple matter to drill and tap the jag end. Then thread the handle end and use a billiard ball as a handle. Simply grind a flat spot on the ball; then drill a hole to permit the rod into it and the epoxy them together.
Always use a bore protect/bore guide to keep from wearing your muzzle.
CS
Always use a bore protect/bore guide to keep from wearing your muzzle.
CS
walruskid1
54 Cal.
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lakota - welcome aboard. i heard the same info on the aluminum ramrods. don't know if its true but i'll stick with brass. wood for looks - brass for everyday use.
Aluminum oxidizes almost as soon as it is exposted to air. The black sand paper that is wet or dry is made from aluminum oxide. Hard stuff :grin:walruskid1 said:
I only have hickory rods, never broke one in a gun yet.
Lehigh...
I'm guessing that the only real differences to base your choice on would be...
1. Looks -- Is PC/HC your goal? If not, pick what you like.
2. Stability -- Do you use the extra weight for balance/ balast when shooting? Or is the weight a detriment (such as when hunting)? Go heavy or light depending on your shooting style.
3. Reliability -- Aluminum is easier to bend than solid brass, which is easier to bend than steel. And wood is easier to break than fiberglass/plastic. Are you rough or gentle with your rods?
** As for wear or build up on the rod or barrel, if you clean the gun and rod thouroughy, I don't imagine this will be a problem **
Personally (and this is just me), I think brass is sturdy enough, soft enough, hard enough, heavy enough, pretty enough, and maybe PC/HC enough for me. I likes 'em that way. :grin:
Just an opinion
Legion
1. Looks -- Is PC/HC your goal? If not, pick what you like.
2. Stability -- Do you use the extra weight for balance/ balast when shooting? Or is the weight a detriment (such as when hunting)? Go heavy or light depending on your shooting style.
3. Reliability -- Aluminum is easier to bend than solid brass, which is easier to bend than steel. And wood is easier to break than fiberglass/plastic. Are you rough or gentle with your rods?
** As for wear or build up on the rod or barrel, if you clean the gun and rod thouroughy, I don't imagine this will be a problem **
Personally (and this is just me), I think brass is sturdy enough, soft enough, hard enough, heavy enough, pretty enough, and maybe PC/HC enough for me. I likes 'em that way. :grin:
Just an opinion
Legion
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