Range rod

[nailgunner]

I'm new to muzzleloading and I recently bought a hawken style flintlock from a forum member. I need some advise on making or acquiring the accessories I will need. especially a range rod. I fancy the ones with antler handles. How and where do I begin?

 

[MikeC]

Track Of The Wolf Click on the link I provided and browse the site for what you need they should have everything except for a range rod with an antler handle, may want to make that yourself. They should have everything you will need to make it minus the antler.

 

[Birddog6]

Call Suzie at Muzzleloader Builders Supply and she will have all of it & is normally cheaper than TOW. http://www.muzzleloaderbuilderssupply.com/

 

[Johnny Tremain]

If you fill out yer location, some times others in yer hood can tell you where to go locally.

We always MAKE our own stuff, and if we cant, or need it now. We buy from vendors at rondies.

 

[worker11811]

I'm fairly new to ML shooting myself. This is what I've done. Most of you guys will think this is "old hat" but, for me, this is the best way I've figured out to make sure I do everything right. Later on, when I get more experience, I'm sure I'll do things differently.

I got a solid aluminum rod with hard anodized coating. I use a commercially available handle. I drilled a hole in the top of the handle and put a screw down into the threaded end of the rod. The other end has a brass jag.

Here's the scoop...

When you go to load the gun, drop the rod down the barrel.

If it is unloaded and clear it will go all the way down to the green mark. If it doesn't, you need to find out why and fix the problem before you proceed.

If ANY of the red or white markings show above the muzzle of the gun, consider it "UNSAFE" until you have found out why and remedied the problem.

Once you have loaded the gun, you should be able to push the rod all the way down to the black line. (The "90" stands for 90 grains of FFg and .530 round ball.)
Assuming you are using your usual load, if you can't push that rod down to the black line, you should not fire until you have figured out why.

Like I said, others might find this to be unnecessary but, until I have gotten enough shots under my belt where the whole process becomes second nature, I think this is a good way to be sure I do every thing correctly.

 

[longcruise]

get a piece of cold rolled steel or stainless steel 5/16th or 3/8th in diameter. Get the length you will need for your barrel. Purchase a trso bore guide that will fit the bore and the rod size you select. Also purchase a threaded trso ramrod tip threaded for the size jags, etc that you have. Pick out a handle style of your choice and drill it and epoxy it to the handle. Slide your bore guide onto the rod. Then epoxy the threaded ramrod tip to the end of the rod, Fitting with a file if necessary. The ramrod tip should be a bit larger diameter than the shaft. That way the bore guide will be retained. You should also drill the tip of the rod and the ramrod tip before glueing and glue a pin in place to be filed or hammered down smooth after the glue is set.

Now ya got a range rod. It can be as plain or as dressy as you like. I have one that has an antique marble door knob for a handle. Another has just a plain wood handle. Think comfort in use!

If you have all the stuff in front of you, it can just about be made in about the same amount of time it took me to type this (I'm not very fast on the keyboard though :wink: )

Or, you can just buy a Trso range rod for 12 to 16 bucks.

 

[paulvallandigham]

Both the handle, and the ferrule on the other end that is threaded to take your cleaning jag MUST be pinned to the rod stock. Without a cross pin, NO epoxy will hold these in place when you are trying to pull a stubborn bullet or ball out. My Range Rod does not use a ferrule, but has a screw hole cut into the end of the Stainless steel rod. I have a brass knob that someone turned for me as a handle on that rod, replacind a wood disc that split about a year after I bought the rod. I am not fond of wood handles, although I do have one I turned out of black walnut that resembles a door knob. I suspect it has lasted so well because It is thick, and heavy, as well as pinned to my hickory RAMROD.