who else has wood ramrod scars?

[walruskid1]

just wondered if I'm the only one who broke a wood ramrod and jammed it in their hand. i was loading a quick (?) second shot at a doe and snapped the rod off nice and jagged and stuck it in the back of my left hand about !/2 an inch. hunted the rest of the day with a rag wrapped around my hand. now i have a brass range rod and an unbreakable rod for hunting. oh ya, i also have a nice half-moon shaped scar to remind me to keep my hand closer to the muzzle.

 

[Stumpkiller]

Did that with a cedar arrow once into my bow hand and invented a few choice words they don't use in gradeschool spellers.

Never broke a wood ramrod (knock hickory). Ramrods and knives should not be forced for best results, and to minimize bloodshed.

 

[Russ T Frizzen]

I've never broken a ramrod, but I'm as picky about the hickory in my rammers as I am about my stock wood. Like a lot of muzzleloaders, I figure that grain that runs out automatically disqualifies the hickory for use as a ramrod. And I always hold relatively low on the stick when ramming so that the rod can't flex: no flex no break.

 

[walruskid1]

that was part of the problem, in my haste i grabbed about 3/4 of the way up and SNAP. i left a good blood trail though...

 

[canyonman]

No scars, however I am looking for a new one 'cause mine is broke.

Larry

 

[roundball]

that was part of the problem, in my haste i grabbed about 3/4 of the way up and SNAP. i left a good blood trail though...

After reading about this happening in the past, I set about replacing every one of mine with brass rods...avoided the problem altogether

 

[Runner]

Scars yes. No more wooden ramrods here, even for show. In heel of hand about half way across palm and jagged. Nope, no way ever again.

 

[Johnny Tremain]

Ive only ever used steel ramrods, cant seem to breakem

 

[Slamfire]

The Possible Shop sells a thingee that looks like a gear shift knob for a floor shift tranny. It just has a hole in it to put it onto the ramrod, it don't screw on. Might be a bit much fer a guy to use when tryin' to get in a second shot at a retreatin' buck, though. :front:

 

[arcticap]

I have some brass, plastic & metal types, but don't use them. Instead, I have range rods made from very thick wooden dowels with detachable wood or plastic handles. When hunting I usually carry one of these in an arrow quiver at my hip.

 

[Old Charlie]

I have broken two ram rods. Both broke right where I made a mark with my knife to mark a empty barrel. I don't do that anymore.
Old Charlie

 

[MikeChapin]

I have broken a few over the years. I took a small divit out of my hand when one broke. I use short strokes when using a wooden rod so I usually just split them enough to make them unusable. I do use a range rod most of the time. The only time I use a wooden rod anymore is when I'm hunting.

 

[2172]

Broke two, in the woods, in my DGW .32 Tn poor boy..finally figured out that I had a super tight spot in the bbl, and used some steel wool to get it out....haven't broken one since but do have a Wonder rod as a range rod, and might carry it in the gun if I ever hunt with it again...been on the shelf for about 15 years..Hank

 

[leslie]

That sure smarts and is the reason I make my own brass rods.I had two rods break even though I was doing all the right things,the wood just snapped.The quality of wooden ramrods is pretty poor I suspect a lot of them are nothing but dowels.

 

[walruskid1]

come to think of it, i used to mark my ramrods with a small groove at the empty point. thats probably where the damn thing snapped. broke at an angle like a fine steak knife! its too bad that some manufactures give you manure for a ramrod. brass works for me too. just remember - bones mend, skin heals, and chicks dig scars.

 

[cayugad]

just wondered if I'm the only one who broke a wood ramrod and jammed it in their hand. i was loading a quick (?) second shot at a doe and snapped the rod off nice and jagged and stuck it in the back of my left hand about !/2 an inch. hunted the rest of the day with a rag wrapped around my hand. now i have a brass range rod and an unbreakable rod for hunting. oh ya, i also have a nice half-moon shaped scar to remind me to keep my hand closer to the muzzle.

I've broke two of them. One got me real well. I've also broke short starters and they can be brutal as well. Since, I have went to the unbreakable kind myself.

 

[soquili]

just remember - bones mend, skin heals, and chicks dig scars.

:front: :crackup: :crackup: You're right, walruskid, some of us do!!!

Anyway, back to the topic... :: where's the best place to get a brass ramrod for a CVA .50-cal Hawken? I've just got the wooden one and would like another one that's a little safer to use but still sort of Rendezvous PC.
:thanks:
Patsy

 

[Mulebrain]

The first time I ever used a wooden ram rod it broke in two. I will be getting a dedicated rod to load all my guns soon! I think the wooden ram rods can be used for cleaning, and ball extraction. For driving home lead, think again.

What is the best rod to get?

 

[Russ T Frizzen]

The main problem with ramrods today is simply poor choice of wood and too small a diameter. Couple this with holding the stick too high when ramming and you get broken sticks and slashed extremities. Add a very tight ball and patch combination and the situation is even worse.
All my ramrods have the largest practical diameter and are carefully selected for proper grain. I have yet to break a wiping stick and have sometimes replaced them on guns I purchased. Some of these ramrods would not even make an acceptable dowel, never mind a ramrod.

 

[Rebel]

Try www.rmcsports.com They will make you anything ya need, and have most already in stock. Nice people to deal with.