tapered ramrod

[preston cook]

who would make a tapered ramrod to sell?

 

[paulvallandigham]

NO one I know. You can call the suppliers, ( see LINKS) at the top of the index page to this forum, under Member Resources). Tapering ramrods is done by the buyer, because the supplier can't possibly know how much or how little taper you need. The same size Hickory Ramrod can be used in a number of different caliber guns.

Ramrods are tapered on power sanders, disc, or belt, or by hand with spokeshaves and draw knives, files, or pocket knives. Final finishing has been done with all manner or scrapers.

 

[MikeC]

Make it you self. I use a cordless drill and sandpaper. Chuck up the thick end place the drill on the floor, operate the switch with your foot. I check it as i go along, doesn't take very long.

 

[jan buck]

recently my synthetic ramrod[came w/gun]broke, so i went to hobbie lobbie and bought a 3/8" dowel-.049 cents. put on some stain and glued on a .38 special case and got a new ramrod for 50 cents!
looks good and even works as a patch jag. i use a range rod when loading so this is more for looks. :grin:

 

[hanshi]

who would make a tapered ramrod to sell?

I usually buy ramrod blanks or tipped unfinished ramrods and taper them myself. It is easy to do. I just use a pocket knife & finish up with sand paper trying it in the gun periodically till it goes in like I want. Then I stain & finish. I can't even unwrap a piece of gum without running into problems so yes, it's that easy. Hickory blanks are only a couple of bucks at most. That's cheap! Don't buy plain dowel rod; when they break, and they will, you can end up with a nasty injury.

 

[MSW]

hanshi's right- avoid the plain old dowel... you might get a good one, but you'll just as likely get one with some runout and when (not if) it breaks, you'll get a 3/8 inch rod through your hand.

Murphy's Law being what it is, this will the day before the big recital, or the day before your daughter's wedding, or the meeting with the shareholders... you get the idea... just don't go there.

i use the gadget (home made- the best kind) described in Peter Alexander's book, The Gunsmith of Grenville County. this works great and puts the right amount of aper in the rod as needed.

p.s. i use hickory rods, but i don't bother to soak them in kerosene- they seem to work well without it.

 

Trucker,
Call Mike Lea, he has a tool to make tapered ramrods. He would probably ssell you one. He can be reached at 614-291-4757.
Mark

 

[Birddog6]

Email me. [email protected]

 

[texcl]

I chuck mine in a drill as well to taper my own rods. Mine don't look anywhere near as nice as roy's work or any of the other more experienced craftsmen here. But I'm gettin there, maybe another 30 years, or so.