Straightening A Hickory Ramrod

[Zonie]

Well, it worked, kinda.

As most of you know, finding a good straight Hickory Ramrod at most dealers is next to impossible.
The one I ended up buying was great in that it had no end grain breakout in its entire length. Unfortunatly, it had about 6 inches of bow in it.

To straighten it out, I used nylon zip strips (twisty ties would also work) and tied it to my wifes cloths-line pole so the bowed out section was pulled up tight.
I then wrapped an old towel around the whole works and zip stripped it in place.
Every morning I would wet the towel and let the Arizona sun and 106 degree weather have it's way with it.

After a week of this abuse, the thing listened and decided to stay straight (except for a few little wiggles here and there).

 

[kentucky bucky]

A little hump here and there keeps it in the timbles tight!
I always look for a bit of crook...just enough and not too much!

 

[Birddog6]

I want mine bowed & I think they are supposed to be bowed.... it keeps them from coming out 5-6" & getting broken off while hunting. May times I have wet them & bowed them in a form then heated them to keep them bowed.

 

[Musketeer]

Hey, Zonie, I have to agree with Bucky 'n' Birddog on this one. If the ramrod is straight enough to fit through the thimbles w/o having to be unduly forced, it's straight enough! You'll probably find your rammer returning to it's original shape eventually, as hard woods tend to do. I have this problem w/ arrows: I use either maple or hickory shafts on my huntin' arrows, and find that I have to restraighten them every so often.