Soaked my Flinter today hunting in the rain

[Cherokee]

I thought I would post this. I never seen this or had it happen to me.
I hunted today all day and it was raining first part of the day off and on then I got in a down pour for a couple of hours. I was setting under a stand of cedar trees with my jacket and a hankerchief over my lock.
The gun was soaked except for the lock.
I then had to walk about a mile to get back to my truck. Heres the good part. My stock has swollen with all the water just enough to lock my ramrod in.
I mean its locked in.
All the water it soaked it up like a sponge.

Never seen this before or heard of it. I have shot in hot and cold weather but never took a rain storm.

 

[Harddog]

My stock has swollen with all the water just enough to lock my ramrod in. I mean its locked in.

This is a common problem with guns that are in high humidity or those that get damp. Let the gun dry out in your house for a couple of days and the ramrod will come right out.

Maybe this is the reason that most old original rifles had tapered ramrods. I always taper my ramrods and don't have this problem.

Randy Hedden

 

[Cherokee]

I figured it would dry out and come lose. The thing is the ramrod always was a lose fit. It just suprised me how locked in it is. I put a jag on the threaded end and tried to see if a gentle tap would move it and it wont. So I have it hung up drying. I guess I need another rifle to take tomorrow.

 

[hwalker]

Is it the stock swollen or the ramrod itself?
If the ramrod was not finished well. it may be what soaked up the water.

 

[bob1961]

my wooden rod that came with my T/C hawken did that too....but i got mine out with some hard tugging and 3 people....then replaced it with the hard rubber covered fiberglass one that they stop selling i think....best 15.00 bucks i spent :v ............bob

 

[redwing]

I put a coating of hard car wax on my rifle. I make sure it gets waxed along the barrel channel. I also coat the ram rod. But you should always carry one of the little flat rod pullers just in case. :thumbsup:

 

[hawkeye1755]

When i remember correctly some guy's are 'bathing' their ramrods in linen oil for while.There was a thread about it some time ago. :hmm:
:hatsoff:

 

[hawkeye1755]

When i remember correctly some guy's are 'bathing' their ramrods in linen oil for while.There was a thread about it some time ago. :hmm:
:hatsoff:

I find it:
Link
:hatsoff:

 

[Birddog6]

Most likely the stock swelled Inside the RR hole because that is something people seldom seal. The only way to seal off one there is to mop the H out of it with Tru-Oil several times.

It is unlikely the RR swelled because of the grain structure & also it is exposed to oil & etc. all the time & usually is pretty well sealed.

 

[roundball]

Fortunately brass ramrods goe well with the brass furniture my TC Hawkens and swelling is not a problem from getting wet.

(PS: even if they were unvarnished hardware store dowels they wouldn't swell...'cause if it was rainging THAT much, I'd be back at the house with my honey :grin: !!)

 

[Cherokee]

IM pretty sure its the stock. The ram rod is a finished one from Track and it is slick and oiled pretty good. I think its the ram rod hole where it wasnt sealed good.
I was in a nice drizzel off and on then a down pour.
I cant believe the powder stayed dry.
Chock this up to experience.
I figure it might wise up a few before it happens.
Its still locked in tight this morning.

 

[nchawkeye]

I've had mine do the same...I tapered with sand paper and resealed with linseed oil...My first flinter did this in '79 or so...I used my range rod to push out the powder...came out the touchhole in a black stream....No that was a wet load!!!

 

[renovato]

When you get the rod out and the stock dries out, you might consider sealing it better, especially the ramrod channel. I'm a fanatic about sealing every micron of wood with all the sealer I can force it to swallow. I have never had a problem with wood swelling, but I've never gotten as wet as you did either. I bet that was chilly!

 

[patch knife]

:hatsoff: My hat's off to you for hunting in the rain . A light mist is all I can handle and I never take my muzzleloader out in any rain , no matter how light it may be . Heck , I don't even go fishing in the rain , anymore :haha: .