How to make a ram rod

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salt

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Hey guys i'm thinking of making a ram rod for my antique bp. I don't want to use the wood one as i don't want it to breack. I was thinking of useing an arrow that i have sitting around. I was wondering if you guys had any sugestions on where to find the inserts for either end or maybe how to make them. Waiting anxtiously:D
 
My prefered is T/C impregnated wood , not sure if they even still offer it. It looked great and was straight.
Guess any dowel would also work, comes in handy if you want to make one just for range use, and make it long.Can order the brass hardware, pin it, and your set
 
Track of the Wolf has rod ends in various diameters. I'm actually in the process of making a rod myself. However, I really don't plan to use the dowel ramrod... I have a brass range rod for loading duties. For field use I use a synthetic rod in place of the wood one. The wood rod is more fashion than function, but it would still be used in a pinch.
 
I was thinking of putting the wood inside the aluminum arrow for more durability. As i already have a wood ram rod and want a synthetic one for field use/ range use.
 
salt said:
I was thinking of putting the wood inside the aluminum arrow for more durability. As i already have a wood ram rod and want a synthetic one for field use/ range use.
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I wouldn't recommend that, as the aluminum from an arrow shaft is probably hard enough to damage your gun, not the mention the fact that it is so thin that it wouldn't significantly strenghthen the rod anyhow.

The best ramrod I have ever made was from a solid brass rod that I picked up at Home Depot (5/16 inch, I believe, for a .50 caliber, but it may be different) I topped it off with a spent casing from a .30 Carbine, and voila, a nice looking ramrod that will never break, fits in the rifles ramrod holder, and won't damage the rifling.:dancingbanana:
 
any metal ram rod should be used with a muzzle protector brass or fibreglas be carefull of the fouling buildup on the rod none of it is good for your bore the plastic rod for range use is as good as you get,, wade
 
I am going to disagree with at least a couple of lyou; aluminum and brass and wood rods by themselves are potentially bad for the gun because they are soft enough to carry grit and over time, abraid the muzzle. I would suggest keeping a muzzle protector on your rod so that the rod never touches the muzzle.
I make my own wooden rods by cutting them square on the table saw then turning them round in segments on a metal lathe. For original guns they are often or usually tapered. They can also be made round using notch shaped scrapers to create the round shape.
The brass ends I make for myself on the metal lathe.
In reply to one early post, wooden rods for me at least usually last well over 1 year, usually for quite a few years. Main thing is to push the ball down in short segments so that your hand is not far from the muzzle and a potential broken end and so that you are not putting a marked curve in the rod while pushing.

cheers mooncoon
 
Be careful if an ordinary hardwood dowel is used to make a rod. Make darn sure there is no crossgrain - if there is, the rod can be easily broken under load, and jammed into your hand.
 
I have long since discontinued the use of a wooden ramrod, favoring a fibreglass or other composite material for my Kentucky sidelock. The wood ramrod is for display purposes only.
 
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