Length of Range Ramrod

[Mac Attack]

I picked up a spare ramrod to use for range loading and cleaning. My ramrod is the type where you can trim it to length. I also purchased a T-handle as well to attach to the rod.

My question is, do you cut your range ramrod to the same length as the ramrod on the rifle or do you leave it longer? I plan to keep the wooden rod which came with my Hawken rifle intact and attached to my rifle. I will use the rod for range and cleaning duties.

 

[MutinousDoug]

Leave the range rod long enough to hold onto. That recommendation holds for using it to pull a ball with a worm when a ball is accidently pushed into an empty barrel. This rod may be 3-2 inches longer than the barrel depth.
My hunting rod sticks out beyond my barrel an inch or so, and would be longer if I didn't hunt in "the black timber" and need to be able to turn around in a hurry.
Buy yourself a brass of plastic muzzleguard to protect the crown or face of the muzzle.

 

[Coyote Rider]

I bought a ramrod like that a little while back and had the same decision to make. I ended up deciding to leave it full length because it gave me more rod to hang onto, particularly for a stuck ball. Also I was thinking that if I ever got a longer rifle, then I wouldn't need to get a new ramrod.

But then again, I didn't get a T-handle. I don't know how unwieldy it would be. I guess it depends on the specific rifle and ramrod.

What I did with mine was to checker a section of the ramrod with a pocket knife, which made a noticeable difference.

 

[arcticap]

I like my very thick wooden dowel ramrods that I buy at the hardware store to remain considerably longer than the gun barrels. I try to size them considering the fact that I will be pretty much standing over the gun when I ram and am leaning into the rod, and I don't want to bend over very low but only as much as comfortable. So in the end you may want to size it according to how tall you are, the length of your barrel and how high that you would like the rod to be when it's bearing your weight.
It's probably better to have it be a little bit too long than too short.
If another gun with a longer barrel ends up finding its way into your collection someday, then you'll have a rod long enough to work in both guns.

 

[Zeke/PA]

I made range rods for myself and some buds using 1/4 " stainless rod.
One end is threaded to accept an 1& 1/4 " round plastic ball knob.
The other end is tapped 10x32 to accept the cleaning jags , brushes etc.
A cone shaped brass bushing to guide the stainless rod completes the outfit.
The rod itself is 36" long.
Zeke

 

[scrat]

same as everyone else i bought one of those flexible 36 inch rods. i keep the oe rod on the rifle and use this one the way it is. i dont plan on cutting it at all.

 

[GENTLEMAN OF THE CHARCOAL]

Won't the muzzle blast mess up the end of the ramrod over time? I don't know. I'm just asking.
All I'vd ever done was to seat a round on the powder and then use my supertool to make a mark on the ramrod for future reference in checking to make sure the ball was properly seated. (then stretch a small ballon [I must have 50,000 of them!] over the end of the muzzle to keep moisture from getting in. it dosen't interfere with sighting)...Okay...

 

[MutinousDoug]

I use an aluminum rod for both range and field. The range rod is 4" longer than the barrel is deep. My field rod is about 1" longer and a bit longer than that with the patch jag on the end. One thing the muzzle blast does is totally bleach out the dye from the aluminum anodize. That end of my field rod is now clear anodized. Ugly. No other damage can be observed.

 

[GENTLEMAN OF THE CHARCOAL]

Mutinous Doug, thank you sir. I'vd got an aluminum ramrod to. I wouldn't care too much about the heat and blast bleaching the color out (black) of the end of it just as long as it wouldn't damage the brass fitting. It must not or else ya'll wouldn't be using it.
This is good to know. Little tips and things like this is why I read this site...Okay...

 

[Pancho]

I started a thread some time ago that asked for tips, gadgets and such that we've come up with to enhance out sport. Maybe I ought to start it again.

 

[Smoke Stick by Five]

Try MilTech for lube and coat of the long poles of the white smoke. Cleans to white patch in three and loosens all built up residue at back of barrel. Blew out a real cork screw of a chunk of powder residue. I hit bottom every time I clean now. I even Klean my Uncle Mikial's Romo Semi to three patch White down barrel.

 

[Pancho]

I googled Miltech and came up with nothing. Do you have anymore information on it?

 

[Mac Attack]

I cut about 3 inches off the rod. when I connected the T-handle it's just about right. I however had a problem with my ramrod today. The ramrod tube pulled off of the tip when I was trying to pull a bullet. I tried numerous times to seat it again but it kept pulling out. Finally the tip pulled out of the ball and I was able to reinstall it but I have to tell you I am more than a bit leary of this type of rod. More on this later.

 

[dstorm1911]

For the range I use my heavy sectional brass cleaning rod the jag is cupped for being used as a ram rod ........

 

[arcticap]

This is the famous Miltech-1 synthetic "metal conditioner" used by many government agencies:

http://www.militec-1.com/

Checking out the PR articles may help to explain more of what the synthetic metal conditioner is all about. There's a link to a review by a New Zealand blackpowder org. that looks like this facsimile below, go near the bottom of PR/articles and only click on the word "review":

Review of MILITEC-1 by xxxblackpowder.co.nz

This product has been available in gunstores in my area ever since it came out some years ago and touted itself as the choice for some of the largest government LE agencies semi-auto pistol lubrication needs. Now I see that it has also been recognized as having some other applications relating to black powder arms too.


They apparently also make a grease but I haven't seen any of it for sale.