Cutting a Muzzleloader barrel down?

FirstFreedom · September 26, 2007, 09:12 PM

Anyone cut down the barrel on their factory muzzleloader? Of course, the hardest part, by far, is cutting the rod in such a way that it would still work, since most of them have threads on both ends - one for a handle, and one for your attachments. Anyone have experience on the best way to cut a rod to make it match a cut barrel? I suppose the end I would cut would be the handle end, not the attachment end, but what's a good way to use some sort of universal handle with the rod, without re-tapping threads? Perhaps a handle that clamps onto the rod with two small bolts w/ wing nuts that sandwiches the rod between two flat metal strips that are the sides of the "handle"?

This comes up because I want a really short handy high quality ML like the T/C G7 (I think it's called), but the ML I'm going to get is the Savage 10ML BVSS smokeless-capable one. So of course I'm going to combine the best of both worlds to get exactly what I want, and cut/crown the Savage to 20" or maybe 22", but again, the problem is ending up with a functioning rod that doesn't stick out too far.

Thanks.

K.A.T. · September 26, 2007, 09:35 PM

There is some companies out there that will build you a rod the lenght you need.

Joe the Redneck · September 26, 2007, 10:50 PM

Remove the wood from the middle of the rod. Drill each raw end, glue up and insert a peg.

Joe

MEDDAC19 · September 27, 2007, 09:57 AM

They sell aluminum rods that you cut to correct size and glue the end on, they work great.

FirstFreedom · September 27, 2007, 06:06 PM

Where would one buy one of those rods, meddac? Sounds like what I'll need.

arcticap · September 27, 2007, 10:04 PM

Quote:

FirstFreedom, go to this outfit and click on "ramrods & accessories" in the left hand column. They will cut a ramrod to order out of different materials for no extra charge (If a ramrod is an inch or two longer, it might not matter though).

http://rmcsports.com/catalog.htm

I already mentioned this outfit to you recently:

http://thefiringline.com/forums/newr...te=1&p=2521535

Pahoo · September 28, 2007, 03:50 PM

You can buy rods and ferrels/tips, cut fit and finish as you like. You can also buy rods to your length and caliber. I just wish I could remember where I saw these. I think Dixie. Most of my wooden rods are for show only and use a poly range rod in the field and poly or aluminum rods on my hunters. Don't let this problem stop you from your project as cutting a barrel will pose greater problems that getting the right rod. As posted before, you can cut down the existing rod as well. I had to come up with a rod for my .32 and hand picked a good hardwood dowel rod from local hardware store. Good luck and shoot safe.

l.cutler · September 28, 2007, 05:58 PM

I would say the rod would be the easiest part. Getting a square cut and the proper crown on the barrel would be most important.

MEDDAC19 · September 29, 2007, 10:19 AM

I have seen the aluminum rods at Wallyworld and Bass Pro.

spurrit · October 16, 2007, 03:02 AM

Backwoodsman magazine is a great resource for this stuff.

sundance44s · October 16, 2007, 06:18 AM

Bought some hickory 3/8 rods from Dixiegunworks not long ago ..5 for 5 bucks
They also sell the brass tips for the rods too .

blackopsglock · December 28, 2007, 12:14 AM

Simple solution

the factory supplied rod comes apart easy by heating the brass end up with a torch.Its held on by glue.

Remove cut the ramrod and reglue

I sell aluminum rods cut to fit any application.Hollar if you need one.

sundance44s · December 28, 2007, 08:27 AM

Yep Dixie Gun Works has Hickory rod blanks in 2 sizes and all the brass ends ya need to make your own ..cheap and easy ..

September 26, 2007, 09:12 PM	#1
FirstFreedom Junior member Join Date: May 31, 2004 Location: The Toll Road State, U.S.A. Posts: 12,451	Cutting a Muzzleloader barrel down? Anyone cut down the barrel on their factory muzzleloader? Of course, the hardest part, by far, is cutting the rod in such a way that it would still work, since most of them have threads on both ends - one for a handle, and one for your attachments. Anyone have experience on the best way to cut a rod to make it match a cut barrel? I suppose the end I would cut would be the handle end, not the attachment end, but what's a good way to use some sort of universal handle with the rod, without re-tapping threads? Perhaps a handle that clamps onto the rod with two small bolts w/ wing nuts that sandwiches the rod between two flat metal strips that are the sides of the "handle"? This comes up because I want a really short handy high quality ML like the T/C G7 (I think it's called), but the ML I'm going to get is the Savage 10ML BVSS smokeless-capable one. So of course I'm going to combine the best of both worlds to get exactly what I want, and cut/crown the Savage to 20" or maybe 22", but again, the problem is ending up with a functioning rod that doesn't stick out too far. Thanks.

September 26, 2007, 09:35 PM	#2
K.A.T. Member Join Date: May 31, 2007 Location: Gainesville,Ga. Posts: 80	There is some companies out there that will build you a rod the lenght you need. __________________ Never mind the dog, beware of the Colt!

September 26, 2007, 10:50 PM	#3
Joe the Redneck Senior Member Join Date: December 19, 1998 Location: New port richey FL us Posts: 473	Remove the wood from the middle of the rod. Drill each raw end, glue up and insert a peg. Joe

September 27, 2007, 09:57 AM	#4
MEDDAC19 Senior Member Join Date: April 18, 2005 Location: Endless Mts,NEPA Posts: 379	They sell aluminum rods that you cut to correct size and glue the end on, they work great.

September 27, 2007, 06:06 PM	#5
FirstFreedom Junior member Join Date: May 31, 2004 Location: The Toll Road State, U.S.A. Posts: 12,451	Where would one buy one of those rods, meddac? Sounds like what I'll need.

September 28, 2007, 03:50 PM	#7
Pahoo Senior Member Join Date: February 16, 2006 Location: IOWA Posts: 8,783	You can buy rods and ferrels/tips, cut fit and finish as you like. You can also buy rods to your length and caliber. I just wish I could remember where I saw these. I think Dixie. Most of my wooden rods are for show only and use a poly range rod in the field and poly or aluminum rods on my hunters. Don't let this problem stop you from your project as cutting a barrel will pose greater problems that getting the right rod. As posted before, you can cut down the existing rod as well. I had to come up with a rod for my .32 and hand picked a good hardwood dowel rod from local hardware store. Good luck and shoot safe.

September 28, 2007, 05:58 PM	#8
l.cutler Senior Member Join Date: October 18, 2005 Posts: 275	I would say the rod would be the easiest part. Getting a square cut and the proper crown on the barrel would be most important.

September 29, 2007, 10:19 AM	#9
MEDDAC19 Senior Member Join Date: April 18, 2005 Location: Endless Mts,NEPA Posts: 379	I have seen the aluminum rods at Wallyworld and Bass Pro.

October 16, 2007, 03:02 AM	#10
spurrit Junior Member Join Date: August 27, 2006 Posts: 9	Backwoodsman magazine is a great resource for this stuff.

October 16, 2007, 06:18 AM	#11
sundance44s Senior Member Join Date: February 6, 2006 Location: Hernando , Ms. Posts: 579	Bought some hickory 3/8 rods from Dixiegunworks not long ago ..5 for 5 bucks They also sell the brass tips for the rods too .

December 28, 2007, 12:14 AM	#12
blackopsglock Member Join Date: October 6, 2002 Posts: 51	Simple solution the factory supplied rod comes apart easy by heating the brass end up with a torch.Its held on by glue. Remove cut the ramrod and reglue I sell aluminum rods cut to fit any application.Hollar if you need one.

December 28, 2007, 08:27 AM	#13
sundance44s Senior Member Join Date: February 6, 2006 Location: Hernando , Ms. Posts: 579	Yep Dixie Gun Works has Hickory rod blanks in 2 sizes and all the brass ends ya need to make your own ..cheap and easy ..