Rod question

[ckckck]

I had my first flintlock experience on Saturday with the EXCELLENT folks at the Arkansas Muzzle Loading Association. They have their own range, suited perfectly for the distinctive needs of muzzle loaders...including a few...brackets, up high overhead, used to unstick rods that have become lodged too firmly in the barrel. Here's the question: how does one handle this "stuck rod" situation when there's no bracket handy? Like when one is in the woods, or at a more generic shooting range???

 

[M. De Land]

I've used car bumpers, roof supports, other shooters. Tree limb crotches work in the woods if you have a good screw on handle.
A pair of vice-grips will also work after getting a bite on the end tip cross ways, if it's pinned on and not just glued. MD

 

[Vaino]

First off....the RR fittings should be pinned. Then suitably sized holes that accommodate at least a 1/8" pin should be drilled tranversely thru the fitting. This gives one a head start on pulling a stuck RR, especially if your buddy holds the gun.

The cause of the stuck RR should be ascertained and if possible, rectified. Pouring water or solvent down the bore and waiting awhile might sometimes help.

I've had stuck RRs but they've always been pulled out w/ the 1/8" pin......Fred

 

[ohio ramrod]

I put brass tips on all of the ramrods I make pinned and glued, threaded for 10/32 threads. So if the ramrod gets stuck I just screw on a "T" handle , put the handle on the ground between my legs and use my leg strength to pull out the rod. :idunno:

 

[Stumpkiller]

Piece of cord and a branch. Usually it's when I want to pull a ball . . . because the powder is still in the horn. D'oh!

I gave up using lubes and patch/ball combos that get stuck. Keep searching.

 

[buford87]

I do very much as Ohio Ramrod however I will stand on the T handle bend my knees and grab the rifle then straighten up while pulling the rifle up. Wow, it sounds s if I get way too much practice at this.....................watch yer top knot.............

 

[Carl Fowler III]

I put brass tips on all of the ramrods I make pinned and glued, threaded for 10/32 threads. So if the ramrod gets stuck I just screw on a "T" handle , put the handle on the ground between my legs and use my leg strength to pull out the rod. :idunno:

I do exactly the same thing with my brass rod and T-handle, comes out easily everytime! I always have the T-handle in my possibles bag when I go shoot'n as it's a handle, short starter, and brass hammer all rolled into one tool! :v

 

[M. De Land]

Good idea, I need to make a handle for the steel loading rod that came with the gun, in my .58 Hawken hunter. MD

 

[Rifleman1776]

Lot of good answers so far. I have tried and used all of the above, and more.
Best advise, but very annoying, is prevention is best cure. Find what caused the stick and don't do it again.
I also have a stainless steel range rod. The handle unscrews. I have a large hunk of brass with a hole drilled through it. That can slip over the rod, handle screwed back on and the brass used as a backslapper to get things unstuck. Can take a few minutes but is a one man operation and safe.

 

[kingsax26]

thats sounds like a sound plan.....one thing i purchased from TOW is a ramrod puller, that thing is great! IT reselmbes a wine bottle opener (sort of ) with leather disks to protect the rod. I can honestly say that it is a life saver and makes getting your ball out so much easier

 

[Lock Nut]

Here's a cheap but effective tool anyone can make. Just a simple hard wood dowel about 2-1/2" long with a 10-32 or 8-32 machine screw and nut.
I carry in my possibles bag with my other accessories one might need. It saved my @$$ more than once for those unfortunate incidences.

 

[TinStar]

That's a great idea there panflash.
I have a store bought t-handle, but that could save some $$$ right there.

TinStar
Soli Deo Gloria!

 

[Col. Batguano]

Why is an M1 Garand sear in your BP kit?

 

[Lock Nut]

Thats a good one CB :haha:

 

[AllenHawken]

At a shooting range with a roof over head, stick it in the rafters firmly against the crotch between a horizontal and diagonal support, and pull steady but hard. Have done this a couple of times and it works.

 

[Rifleman1776]

sounds like a sound plan

Yes, a plan. But, in life there is a downside to every upside.
For many years I was the guy on the range prepared to help fix almost any problem others might have during the day. That meant more and more 'stuff' in my range box and larger and larger range boxes that got heavier and heavier as the years passed. :shocked2: I carried many tools, including a vice and small anvil. I'm truly amazed the bottom never fell out. I can tell you it was a chore to lug around. That brass thingy alone weighed almost two pounds. These days the brass hunk, vice, anvil and a lot more stay home to make things easier on the old man. Did I go ff ? Oops! :redface:

 

[SAJones]

Not a Garand hammer; one of those multi-tool thingies for caplocks.