[4V50 Gary]

Here's some useful accessories that fit on the end of your ramrod.

Stuck ball remover. It's a screw that attaches to the end of your ramrod and is used to pull a ball out.

Worm. It's a wire attachment that also attaches to the end of your ramrod and is used to break up that powder you just wetted down or to snag out that rag that fell off your jag.

Jag. Yet another nifty attachment to the ramrod and it's used to push the patched ball (you have patches if you're using round ball, don't you) down the barrel. By fitting a patch on the jag, you can use the ramrod to scrub the barrel (patch is wetted).

BTW, I have a solid brass ramrod that is 3/8" thick. It's too heavy to carry in the field but for range use and for cleaning the gun, it's terrific. Won't ever break either.

You may also want to make a short starter. Get a wood ball and drill it for a 3/8" brass rod. Have it go it at least 1/2" and protrude out about 3/8". It helps to cone it is easily seated over the ball. Drill a similar hole 90 degrees and put a 3" long 3/8" brass rod into it. After pushing the ball into barrel with the shorter of the short starter, you can use the longer one to push it in further. Finish driving it home with the ramrod.