I bought a solid steel ramrod the other day. It's the only one I liked enough. It's too long though and I can't cut it. It only comes as short as that. I don't mind it that way(about an inch past the barrel), but I was wondering why they're all even with the barrel--other than looks. Is there a technical reason? Sorry if that was a stupid question. Would you keep the ramrod?

I was hunting today with a .58 caliber rifle. The ramrod sticks out almost 2 inches past the end of the muzzle. There is nothing wrong with that as long as the end of the rod is not in line with the muzzle. Many people used to use longer rods because it made cleaning the rifle at the end of the day easier. Have you ever tried to clean a rifle with a ramrod the same length as the barrel? Suddenly you have a patch down the bore andthe rod end is at the muzzle and you have nothing to grab...

I'd hunt and use it.. good luck.

The tubular brass ramrod I bought for.58 Renegadessticks out about a 1/2" It does get some powder fouling on it but it doesn't hurt anything. Just be careful to not let that steel ramrod get into the crown.