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Post by dakota on Sept 16, 2006 12:07:28 GMT -5
When I first built my 54 Hawken from a kit I read about people breaking the wooden ram rod and the broken ram rod puncturing the forearm of the shooter. The article recommended a plastic ramrod that supposedly would not break. I bought one of those ramrods and the wooden one stayed under the barrel for looks. Since then I have lost the plastic rod. I see there are aluminum ones for sale at Midsouth.  What do you recommend? |
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Post by Purebred Redneck on Sept 16, 2006 13:25:25 GMT -5
If you shoot sabots, you're going to have a very hard time getting them down the barrel with a flimsy plastic rod.
Round balls and conicals are ok.
Aluminum should work alright. It might even fit in the gun....
There's a whole bunch of brands out there and I'm sure some of the other guys will have a better idea.
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Post by dakota on Sept 16, 2006 13:58:44 GMT -5
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bounce
Royal Member
Posts: 5,727
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Post by bounce on Sept 16, 2006 16:41:32 GMT -5
Use Hickory, get a peice of pcv pipe the lenth of the rod or more, cap the bottom end & fill with linseed oil and put the wood rod in to cure for a couple of weeks. Makes them the best of all.
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Post by klsm54 on Sept 16, 2006 17:25:02 GMT -5
Hickory would be authentic, that's for sure....  But if you are looking for a quick fix, the Thompson Center fiberglass rods are tough, look a lot like wood, and are stiff enough to easily push patched roundballs. Don't know about sabots, never shot any. |
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Post by dakota on Sept 16, 2006 18:55:47 GMT -5
Thanks. I got one on order. I need to have one soon - muzzle loading season is upon us.
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bounce
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Posts: 5,727
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Post by bounce on Sept 16, 2006 18:59:34 GMT -5
I did try lord realy I did
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bounce
Royal Member
Posts: 5,727
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Post by bounce on Sept 16, 2006 19:02:09 GMT -5
I did try lord realy I did
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Post by dakota on Sept 16, 2006 20:27:33 GMT -5
Hickory is not going to be easy to find round here. spose I could start looking.
seriously where would you get this hickory rod?
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bounce
Royal Member
Posts: 5,727
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Post by bounce on Sept 16, 2006 20:38:32 GMT -5
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bounce
Royal Member
Posts: 5,727
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Post by bounce on Sept 16, 2006 20:40:38 GMT -5
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Post by twomoons on Sept 16, 2006 20:44:12 GMT -5
Fiberglass for a loading rod will wear the bore like ground glass, I would rather use a rat tail file.
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Post by Bill on Sept 16, 2006 20:55:27 GMT -5
For range work I use a Steel rod with a bore guide as it works awsome for that, but when it comes to hunting I stick with Bounces tried and true method. Hickory. I have used the same one for 22 years and its never broke once.  |
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Post by klsm54 on Sept 16, 2006 22:19:24 GMT -5
No need to worry about the fiberglass on the T/C ram rod, it is coated with a tough, non-abrasive coating. .... |
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Post by jimiowa on Sept 16, 2006 23:02:35 GMT -5
I think the Hicory is the best choice as Bounce, Two Moons and Bill have mentioned.
I'll have to check out the source Bounce mentioned.
Another good source would be "Track of The Wolf" in Minnesota.
Another option, probably the best is to get a STRAIGHT grained piece of wood and make it yourself.
Don't pick up a cheap dowel at the hardware store, the grain will probably run so that when it breaks you would impale your arm or hand!
I have considered making one from a brass rod, but suspect it would be too heavy and throw the rifle out of balance.
Wish I had known you needed one, I have a TC Aluminum rod (tubular not solid) hanging on the wall in the shop, I picked up at Walmart almost 2 yrs ago. No clue what I'll use it for.
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