Where to find or how to make a better range rod

[Armando]

I've been using just and old screw-together cleaning rod for a range rod with my club.

Its finally starting to bend and is on its last leg. I see all the other guys with steel rods and door-knob handles.

Where to buy one of these? I don't see them at TOW.....

 

[SDSmlf]

Try Rice Barrel.

 

[longcruise]

It's very easy to make a range rod! Here's how I do it.

First, get the rod itself. You can use hardware store brass, steel, stainless steel or plated steel. They all work. You could also use fiberglass or delrin. There's probably a few others to boot.

The diameter of the rod is determined by the caliber of the rifle(s) it will be used with. A 5/16" covers .45 to .58 for example.

The other things you need are something for a handle. A few things I have used are antique door knobs, hardwood balls, pool balls, dowel wood, and file handles. A bore guide with an ID to match your rod. A ramrod tip with an OD 1/16" larger than the rod (eg., 5/16" rod, 3/8" ramrod tip). The 5/16" rod will fit into the ramrod tip.

So epoxy and pin the rod into the handle. You will probably need to drill the handle to 5/16" and then drill a smaller hole crossways through the handle and the rod. Then epoxy the rod with the pin into the handle.

When the handle glue is cured slide the bore guide onto the rod and then epoxy and pin it same as with the handle. The rod tip will capture the bore guide.

Done. Screw whatever size jag you need into the tip and sheeeezammm. Range Rod.

 

[Rifleman1776]

Buy? Ye can do yer own thang as longcruise suggested. But, if you are determined to buy, check out Ox-Yoke. They will fix you up with brass and handles.

 

[mushka]

I just went ahead and bought the totw stainless rod with the 10-32thread and it works from 32 cal all the way up to my 54 cal. I rarely use the actual rod that comes with a rifle.

 

[eugene nagel]

Cooperstown Trading post Makes 3/ 8 hollow brass rods with bore guide. these are one piece rods. Gene 724 586 7220

 

[sawyer04]

Don't do much range shooting, but I have a stainless steel ramrod with a muzzle protector and 10x32 thread. Just something about sticking a metal rod down front stuffer bothers me. Brass would be my real choice.

 

[45man]

I won a rod at a shoot, Made by a member. Steel with a muzzle protector. It came with a .45 jag that is screwed on and turns with the twist. It uses an Allen wrench cap screw so it was easy to make other caliber jags. All of my cleaning rods are one piece hard steel with protectors.
Wood ramrods with a big head also work with a muzzle protector, never, ever buy dowel rods as grain is not right and they will break inside the gun. Aluminum jointed rods never go in any of my guns. Brass works and some plastics like the black rod I bought at a shoot to push a patch through a BPCR. I don't know if it is Delrin but it flexes too much for cleaning a ML. It is a worm.

 

[wiksmo]

Just checked the Cooperstown Trading Post website. In case this is not known. Notification is posted:
"AFTER 42 YRS - CLOSING SHOP - BIG DISCOUNTS!"

 

[hanshi]

I have two stainless rods with handles and muzzle protectors and use them for cleaning and sometimes at the range. For most of my loading at the range and all loading in the bush I simply use the wood underbarrel hickory rod. The steel rods are used for pulling loads, a job I can't do with a wood rod. I have several coated fiberglass rods fitted with muzzle guards and handles for occasional use.

 

[Sidney Smith]

I have a delrin rod I got at Cabelas and glued a short wooden foot stool leg to it for a handle. The foot stool leg is only about 4 inches long but fits nicely in the hand. I had to remove the threaded steel screw that was in it then drilled it out to 3/8 to get it to fit the rod.

I have another rod I made from a piece of 3/8 stainless steel rod that I use to pull balls with. I drilled and tapped both ends to 10-32 and put a brass T handle on the one end.

 

[Snakebite]

I've had one of these for 40 years, got it from Davy Boultinghouse when he had his shop, he built my first rifle, never a problem (with either the rifle or the rod):
Ramrod, 5/16" stainless, 36" long rod, Creedmoor, rigid handle, 10-32 thread (from Tack of the Wolf)

 

[rich pierce]

My friend Dave Brandenburger makes great range rods of stainless with nylon bore protectors. PM me for contact info if interested. He has a booth at Friendship shoots.

 

[Nameless Hunter]

Here's one option; you can order 6 feet of 3/8" OD anodized aluminum tube (0.145" ID) from McMaster (part # 4568T12) for about $12 (enough for maybe two range rods). Buy yourself a 10-32 tap and tap the ends to the requited depth. If you want, you can also get a threaded knob for the end (part # 2454K64) for under $4. Make sure you use a bore guide and you are good to go.

 

[eugene nagel]

I make 3/8 rods using hollow brass rod,your choice on length. Gene 724 586 7220.

 

[bpd303]

Cooperstown web site has been updated. Now says Moving Shop need to liquidate.