Range rod/ cleaning rod

[Adam Isrow]

What is the difference, if any, between a range rod and a cleaning rod? What should i be looking for, or avoiding, when choosing a good range rod?

 

[Old Salt]

I've always used the same rod for both tasks. I make sure to wipe it down real good every now and then.

Look for a range rod that has a brass muzzle protector which acts to keep the rod centered in the bore so it doesn't rub the muzzle or bore of the rifle. After that make sure the accesories you buy or have match the threads on the rod. Typically 8/32 or 10/32 threads. You can also buy a thread adapter if you can't find the correct size jags and such.

A good size handle helps when you need to pull a ball or scrape the breech.

Old Salt

 

[arquebus]

I believe some people like to use a rod with a swivel handle for cleaning, as it follows the rifling better. Like Old Salt, I've always used the same rod for loading & cleaning.

 

[MikeC]

No difference. I use the same for both loading and cleaning. I have two rods one with a rotating handle and another with a stationary handle.

 

[paulvallandigham]

Cleaning rods often come made of light weight aluminum, and are in sections for easy transport. Range rods are usually solid pieces of steel, brass, ( can be hollow brass tubing in some makes) and Aircraft Aluminum alloys. They are one piece units, and that is why they are usually always referred to as Range Rods. They are not very easy to transport with a gun into the field while hunting.

Ramrods are almost always made of wood, or some kind of synthetic fiber, and are made to be carried with the gun.

In reality, a range rod can be used for all the purposes.

I have a hickory Ramrod, that I put a large "doorknob" handle on that I turned on a lathe from a piece of walnut, and it goes into the field and to the range with me to load and clean my 12 ga. DB shotgun. The handle is stout enough and the rod sturdy enough to allow me to use it to pull patches, and even round ball, should I ever try shooting them out of my shotgun. Because of the size and weight of the handle, I carry it down the middle of my back, the shoulder strap of my hunting bag holding it to my back, and the jag stuck under my belt. The knob sticks up over my hat, behind my had and does not interfere with any movement when shooting. I removed the pipes from the underside of my barrels, and carry no stick with the shotgun itself.

 

[Stumpkiller]

When I'm outside of the house I use the rammer that's on the weapon.

At home I keep a full length (48") hickory cleaning rod and a spare rammer. That spare is in the car on a remote hunt or shoot. You never break a rammer if you have a spare available. ;-) My practice is to order three rod blanks (with steel or brass tips as the firearm needs) at a time from Track of the Wolf. They're pretty good but I'm pretty picky about parallel grain. The best one I used as the rammer for the rifle/gun. The next best I make a spare rammer and the worst I leave full length, full diameter and scribe a half-dozen grooves in the hand-end for a cleaning rod.

 

[Mike 56]

I made the Dutch Schoultz range/cleaning rod it is 5/16 steel rod with old fashion door nob on one end and the other end has a hole drilled and taped for a jag with a 5/16 brass flair fitting for a muzzle protector. It is a nice set up.

Mike

 

[Johnny Tremain]

U use a wonder rod (some sort of fiber dowel) rod for cleaning.

 

[Adam Isrow]

Thanks guys. There's a lot of info to absorb, but i think i've got it.

 

[Bob J]

I ordered a one-piece steel range rod from Matt Avance (Tennessee Valley Mfg). It has a large wood round handle. A plastic bore guide protects the muzzle. This rod is the one I use at the range for loading and wiping the bore, and at home for final cleaning. Believe it was under $30.00 and worth every penny.

I have .54 and .36 accessories; cleaning jags, ball pullers, patch pullers, and fouling scrapers.

Range rod; don't leave home without it :wink:

 

[pepperbelly]

When I was at Cabela's a while back looking for stuff I found their cleaning kit. It's in a nylon wrap and has jags, patches, and a 3 piece solid brass cleaning rod with an aluminum handle. That kit was cheaper than any rod I could find alone and the wrap it very handy.

Jim

 

[MacTavish]

If I'm shooting at a competition, I use a solid brass or steel rod with a 'T' handle and a muzzle guide.
The steel rod is a U.S. military 50 cal cleaning rod that has been cut to length and tapped for the 10-32 jags. (Just about 15 years old now.) The brass one is from Log Cabin.
The 'T' handle is so that I can safely pull a dry-ball or stubborn patch by myself.
The extra weight helps to load without forcing the ball down a fouled barrel and I'm not as tired at the end of a day of shooting.
On a woods walk, I use a brass 'wiping stick' that fits in the thimbles and has a hole drilled in one end so that I can use a steel pin, similar to a allen wrench, in the same way as the 'T' handle. I have used it so long that it has a patina of light wood that makes it difficult to recoginze as a brass rod.
Both the range rod and wiping stick have been used for cleaning at the end of the day.