Range Rod Questions

[luieb45]

Buying the rod is a better choice for me because I am terrible at making things. I think I would have a much better product if I bought one of the treso rods rather than making one myself. But I can see why a lot of people on this forum would want to build one because most people around here seem very good at making things.

 

[Pork Chop]

A couple of years back, Walmart had muzzleloader cleaning kits and at the end of the season they clearanced them. I picked up a couple. I use one as a range rod. 3 brass rod sections with a nice aluminum handle. Plus, it breaks down to fit into any bag I have. Cheap too - the kits were maybe $6 or $7 each. No, it is not as nice as the fancy ones that I have seen, but cheap and effective. I bought a couple, so if I ever get a long barrel, I will just use a section from the second with the first to extend the length.

 

[ebiggs1]

After going through the winter hunting and learning, I made this little "T" handle to carry in my bag. In less than optimum conditions, this makes the regular rod much friendlier. It only cost me a 2" brass 10x32 screw and some scrap oak dowels.

Pretty easy to make.
EB

 

[longcruise]

For the shorter barreled guns, I like to make a 36" rod. big welding supply houses have 5/16 solid brass braze rod. Attach an old pool ball to one end and drill and tap the other end.

I like that pool ball idea.

I can see why a lot of people on this forum would want to build one because most people around here seem very good at making things.

Hey, I'm not good at making things! :shocked2: Sometimes I wonder why I keep trying. The rods are easy though. OTOH, you will probably not find me posting any pics of guns I've made. . . . unless as a bad example. :rotf:

I bought a milsurp .50 caliber cleaning rod at a garage sale last summer. It's very long. Don't recall the thread size, but an adaptor should not be a big deal. It is jointed so would be easy to transport and would have all the strength needed to pull a ball.

 

[Deadeye]

All you need is a handle. It can be a T handle, ball or dowel with a screw but something that will fit in your pouch. I like the T handle.
Just screw it to your ramrod (preferably a brass ramrod)and you've gat a range rod. It's always with you, nothing extra to carry. I have brass ramrods in all my guns and a T handle in every bag. I also have brass ramrods with antler handles in every size and caliber that I bought or made before I figured out this simple solution.
Deadeye

 

[ozark57]

I order the fiberglass ones from TOW or use steel rods. You can get the steel rod at Lowes that is plated and smooth really cheap. I use a brass drawer pull ( about $2 ) for the handle. You can use the thread in the drawer pull or drill them out and use JB weld. I make a rod for each gun and leave 2" sticking up when empty, that way I can tell if the gun is loaded.

 

[nkbj]

3/8"O.D. x 1/8"I.D. brass tubing.
I got mine here. http://www.morrismetals.com/Brochure.pdf

Tap the hole to fit your brush threads. When the threads are boogered up or worn out just cut off the threads and tap the hole.

 

[hanshi]

Back in the '60s I bought a steel cleaning rod for a .50 cal. BMG. It was is in three sections and about 4 ft. long. It will work for .40 & up. Not sure about finding them these days but I'd think they would still be available. Back then it was super cheap.

 

[luieb45]

What my main purpose for this range rod is pulling balls, and loading. But mainly pulling loads is what I want. I have heard you don't want the ones that screw together for pulling balls. I tried ordering my rod last night from possible shop but they had problems with their sight and tow was out of stock with the rod I want. I will just have to wait.

 

[bwhoffman]

Well, I gots to ask.....(maybe I missed it in your earlier threads)...
...why do you need to pull so many balls?

 

[hanshi]

I bought a 46" ss rod with bore protector and wood ball handle for $16 from TVM but that was a few years ago. It will pull balls (I'm just guessing, of course...ahem!), seat and clean. It's what I use all the time now.

 

[Jason Lewis]

What my main purpose for this range rod is pulling balls, and loading. But mainly pulling loads is what I want. I have heard you don't want the ones that screw together for pulling balls. I tried ordering my rod last night from possible shop but they had problems with their sight and tow was out of stock with the rod I want. I will just have to wait.

have you ever considered a CO2 discharger? it's a ton easier than pulling balls. why are you having to pull so many?

 

[luieb45]

Well, I gots to ask.....(maybe I missed it in your earlier threads)...
...why do you need to pull so many balls?

The problem isn't that I have to pull so many balls it is that mostly when I occasionally do have to it goes seriously wrong. In youth season last fall I shot at a deer and missed him on my first shot, then hastily reloaded with a speedloader that had moist powder in it from a very greasy patch and had a misfire when I had a chance to shoot at the deer again. So I tried pulling the ball but it didn't work and drilled through the ball or made an irregular hole through the ball. I put my pyrodex in the nipple and tried to shoot it out but it didn't work. Then I took it to a gun smith who couldn't pull it since he broke his ball puller off in the ball then took 3f black powder and shot out ball and ball puller. I think it is going to be a good decision to buy this range rod. Thanks for your concern though. :thumbsup:

 

[luieb45]

My range treso range rod finally came in. It took several weeks to get here because every time I would try to order it from the possible shop their computers did something weird and it wouldn't accept my order. But... it looks like a real nice range rod. I ran a patched jag down my rifle's bore and what was a little more difficult to do before is now quite easy. I look forward to using it this weekend and going shooting in this warm weather. The high is supposed to be around 52.

 

[jethro224]

:thumbsup: I think you're going to be glad you got it. I really like mine.

 

[Dave Rosenthal]

I'm going to bring all 3 of mine to the League Match this Sunday! I have one with a jag, one with a worm, and a spare to loan to new members/visitors to our League Shoot! Sometimes all 3 of them get used at the same time!

You will LOVE yours! Remember to get a patch worm or smaller brush to get down inside of the breech area to get the crud out :wink: cause it makes cleaning the rifle so much easier when you get home! :thumbsup:

Have fun and make smoke!

Dave