Very nice BP, I pinned a couple that I put a coating of jb weld on the pin for extra peace of mind that it won’t wiggle out over the years of use and temp changes

 

I leave extra and peen them over which bends the pin inside the wood, which seems to work well also.

 

 

That's the way to do it. Some just glue them on, which is utter blasphemy.

 

Nothing looks nicer than a wooden ramrod on a muzzy.For hunting I hate to think of splintering one or breaking an original rod and running it thru my hand so for hunting I use solid aluminum.

 

I am lucky I guess, I have never broken one, lost one, but never broken one.

 

Once upon a time, I was fitting a tapered ramrod. I forgot that I didn't have the tip pinned on the rod yet and attempted to see if it would fit in the ramrod hole. Sure enough, when I pulled the rod out the tip was tightly wedged at the bottom of the hole. That was a fun night in the shop. 🤬

 

Early in my ML days, I tried to use a ball pulled on my rod that wasn't pinned and the whole tip pulled off. Lesson learned.

 

I glued mine, can I ever be forgiven?

 

Pin it too?

 

When I make a new ram rod and burn it, while it is still warm, I rub my patch lube into it. It has bees wax and olive oil in it and gives it a nice looking and protective finish.

 

So, I guess there's a lot to learn on rod building. I do need one for my Turner Kirkland 40 cal. Other than my 44 inch stainless rod I got from the wolf, no one seams to have a tapered 40 inch rod. If anyone has a good source for all the parts I need, I would try it. Just need to figure out how to taper it. TIA.

 

I don't think you'll ever find a rod tapered to specification. Tapering one is not that hard to do. I was very intimidated until I did one, then realized there's almost nothing to it. There are contraptions out there than can be used, but I find the simplest method to be with a spokeshave or small block plane. Can even use a sharp carving knife. Then fine tune with sandpaper while turning the rod in a cordless drill. Just don't squeeze too hard with the sandpaper and a good idea to turn the torque setting down on your drill. Another lesson I learned the hard way.

 

Yep, cordless drill and 80 grit paper will taper it in no time. Finish with finer paper.

 

What is the preferred wood type.?

 

I pin mine the same way. And also utilize epoxy.


I stain and finish mine with the rifle. Usually matches the rifle pretty well when its done.


I like threaded caps on both ends...not quite historically correct but if I stick a ball, I can attach a T handle to one and and a ball screw to the other. Screw into the ball and then stand on the T handle and pull the rifle up.

As far as tapering, I do as BP does. Chuck it in a drill and coarse paper will take it down quicker than you'd think. Certain times I taper it down pretty far depending on the build. When I have a lot to taper, I'll fit the small cap and then use a knife or scraper and work down the bulk of it to save time.

 

I pin mine the same way. And also utilize epoxy.


I stain and finish mine with the rifle. Usually matches the rifle pretty well when its done.


I like threaded caps on both ends...not quite historically correct but if I stick a ball, I can attach a T handle to one and and a ball screw to the other. Screw into the ball and then stand on the T handle and pull the rifle up.

As far as tapering, I do as BP does. Chuck it in a drill and coarse paper will take it down quicker than you'd think. Certain times I taper it down pretty far depending on the build. When I have a lot to taper, I'll fit the small cap and then use a knife or scraper and work down the bulk of it to save time.

Hah, I got something right! I used a knife to start the beginning taper then finished with the ramrod in a drill with sand paper. Did the same with the full ramrod to get that down to the needed diameter

 

I should mention....ive never broke a wood rod but 99% only used in the field.

I use a....believe its Derlin...from TOTW as a range rod. Solvents and such dont bother it and I know itll take more use and abuse than wood. Use it at home for cleaning too.

 

As FL said, if ordering you might as well get more than one, the shipping will be the same. You can get them with ends or not, in size 8 or 10 thread, or buy ends separately and install yourself. Just watch what you are ordering to be sure you are getting what you want.

 

I use a Derlin rod to clean only because it is longer, other than that my wood rod does all the other work.