cayugad

I use a stainless steel. But insist that a bore guide always be used. Its served me well now for many years. And I am sure many more to come. I had it made 36 inches long.

Scoobiedoo6559

Thanks! Those prices are great - I think my Lyman has a 3/8: dia. rod...not sure tho on that one. I don't think it's a 23/64" tho.

Scoobiedoo6559

Thanks for the 'How To' guide on making your own metal ramrod. However, but the time I gather all the tubing I need to make the sleeves / guides to drill the holes in the center and purchase the tap, etc. I can just go ahead and purchased a already made synthetic ramrod for around $14! Don't get me wrong - I do appreciate the time, eforrt and info that everyone here took the time to post!

http://www.cainsoutdoor.com/shop/pro...-+Replacements

nchawkeye

Dang, I didn't know they still made those things...I bought a replacement for my .54 caliber flinter back in the 80s...I stays in the truck's toolbox, never needed it...I still use the original hickory rod...

Scoobiedoo6559

I have seen pics of guys that have suffered severe injuries to their hand, wrist, etc. when their wood ramrod snapped during loading and drive the ramrod thru their hand or wrist like an arrow! Which is why I don't want to use a wood rod at all! I don't trust them - and being a RN I trust them even less! I've worked in a ER and have seen all kinds of injuries - and to me - this is an accident waiting to happen over time as the rod weakens or ages.

nchawkeye

I don't agree, the hickory rod on my .40 was there when I bought in in 1977...

Those injuries happened simply because they didn't know what they were doing, or
they didn't have a good hickory rod...

There are plenty of idiots out there that have accidents every day...

Scoobiedoo6559

Maybe - but that's like saying that anyone that has a car accident 'Didn't know what they are doing!'

There is no way to know if there is a defect in the grain of the wood, etc.

We all know sometimes how hard it can be to ram a patched round ball down a bore, etc.

nchawkeye

1...Many don't...
2)...Sure there is...
3)...Like I said, when done properly, no problem...

It's called experience.....

Scoobiedoo6559

Well - there are a lot of people out there that DON'T yet HAVE the experience nor a mentor to teach them now - do they all?

Trsut me - ER's are loaded with people who have had freak accidents from such things - and I'd rather not be one of them.

Why ya think Civil War Muskets evolved into having metal ramrods versus wood like the early 1800's Hawkens and such?

Hmmm....what did THEY know?

flounder33

In a wood ramrod you want one with little or no grain runout along its length. My wooden ramrod still look like new because it gets very little use. I prefer a range rod made of metal for most of my shooting.