12 gauge "range rod" question....

[jmars]

I purchased a 5/8" hardwood dowel to use as a range rod for my two percussion doubles.

I can't imagine what they might be, but are there any modifications or additions that may be
done to this dowel to make it work better or be more versatile?

 

[hawg]

A brass cap on the end that goes into the muzzle. With a rod that size I'm not sure what it would be. Keep your hand as close to the muzzle as you can while loading. Hardwood dowels won't flex but they will break and you risk running the jagged end through your hand.

 

[Steel Hayes]

Ended up getting one of these for both of my percussion SXS’s.
https://www.trackofthewolf.com/Categories/PartDetail.aspx/831/1/RAMROD-264-DP-12

 

[Acorn Mush]

For several years I've used a straight-grain 5/8" dowel from the local hardware store. Only modifications were cutting to 40" length to give me a good 12" beyond my 28" barrels - just cuz', gluing a 1/8" thick piece of leather to one end (thought it might be a good idea - don't know if it helps with anything or not), and sanding the opposite end to a nice rounded profile. Works well. I believe the wood is poplar.

Regarding the concern for breakage, it would take quite a bit of force to break a 5/8" dowel I believe. Mine doesn't really bend much at all. My thought is, if you are pushing on the dowel so hard you are concerned about breakage, something is very wrong. Perhaps wads that are too large (as in - WAY TOO large) in diameter for your bore.

The dowel is not practical for use as a cleaning rod in my experience, unless the business end was reduced in size to resemble a cleaning jag. I didn't do that since I always have a segmented rod available for that chore.

At any rate, enjoy your experimentation.

 

[Carl N. Brown]

I am not an expert on wood, but the dowel that split on me had grain that ran diagonal to the length.

When I bought dowels to use to clean problem neglected shotgun barrels, by pushing patches over shot wads straight through, I checked them and bought ones that had the grain running straight end to end.

 

[MEHavey]

https://www.trackofthewolf.com/Categories/PartDetail.aspx/831/1/RAMROD-264-DP-12

^^^^ THIS ****
+1

 

[Thomasss]

Mark them for a loaded barrel. And see if you can tap them for a worm attachment.

 

[Jim Watson]

I am not an expert on wood, but the dowel that split on me had grain that ran diagonal to the length.

When I bought dowels to use to clean problem neglected shotgun barrels, by pushing patches over shot wads straight through, I checked them and bought ones that had the grain running straight end to end.

Right. In olden times, ramrods were split, not turned, from hickory so as to assure full length grain.

 

[Ugly Sauce]

The quality of dowels can range from balsa-wood like, to pretty good stuff.

Got to your local pick-a-part vehicle junk yard, and find you some gear shift knobs to put on the end. If they have some older cars/trucks you'll find some nice black ones of different sizes.

 

[NY Yankee]

A brass cap on the end that goes into the muzzle. With a rod that size I'm not sure what it would be. Keep your hand as close to the muzzle as you can while loading. Hardwood dowels won't flex but they will break and you risk running the jagged end through your hand.

I can't imagine a 5/8 hardwood dowel ever breaking just loading or cleaning a shotgun. You'd need to be doing chin-ups with it.

I also use a 5/8 rod but poplar wood, just for tamping loads and cards etc. I wrapped 6-8 inches on the "handle" end with cloth electrical tape to make a bit better grip. I also gave it several coats of Danish Oil.

 

[hawg]

I can't imagine a 5/8 hardwood dowel ever breaking just loading or cleaning a shotgun. You'd need to be doing chin-ups with it.

With grain runout you'd be surprised how easy it can break.