I have experienced this a few times too. I've scratched the crap out of my ram rod using vice grips to pull it out. Here are a few ideas:

1. As others have said, definately run patches more often, and make sure your first one has solvent on it.

2. Definately use small back and forth motions.

3. Since both ends of the ram rod are threaded, buy any kind of attachment that you can screw in to the rear end of the ram rod. This will give you more of a gripping surface if it gets stuck.

4. Buy a .45 cal brush. This will allow you to scrub the crud first with no chance of geting stuck. A well used .50 cal brush would work too.

5. Wear gloves to get a better grip on the ram rod.

Hope that helps!