Cleaning and seating rod ?

rebs · February 15, 2017, 05:32 PM

Which is the preferred cleaning, seating rod material, wood, fiberglass, aluminum etc ?

kwhi43 · February 15, 2017, 05:48 PM

Stainless Steel.

FrontierGander · February 15, 2017, 06:31 PM

I use plastic for cleaning. Wood ramrod while hunting/rendezvous and some at home shooting, stainless steel range rod for serious sit down, shut up range shooting.

Model12Win · February 15, 2017, 06:32 PM

Straight grain hickory worked well for years.

Pahoo · February 15, 2017, 08:50 PM

Range-Rod;
For cleaning and loading, I use a poly coated fiberglass. The glass "never" comes in contact with the bore. For my .32's, I have a black Delrin rod.

Field-Rod;
I use whatever material rod came with the rifle. However when that rod is Hickory, I substitute with a Delrin duplicate. Hickory rods are my favorite on my side-locks but they won't stand up to heavy use. They are good for loading, cleaning patch and looks but that's about it. ...

I also have aluminum, SS and brass. .....

I never use solid fiberglass and they have a history of destroying muzzle crowns. I have a number or TC's that came with solid Fiberglass and they too get replaced with a duplicate Delrin. They never get used. ....

Another good item to include, is the use of a bore guide.

Be Safe !!!!

Hawg · February 15, 2017, 11:20 PM

Whatever comes with the gun. Usually wood or steel. I've only broken one hickory rod and I did that by holding too far up on it. Keep your hand close to the muzzle and they won't break.

Old Stony · February 16, 2017, 03:30 AM

They all seem to work well if used properly. I have a brass range rod that I use often and like the weight of it for seating tight PRB's. I even made up a rod for my 62 calibers out of an old fiberglass golf club. It works like a champ, but they are long and tapered so you can't use them for smaller calibers.

Hdonly · February 18, 2017, 10:04 AM

You can buy Delrin rod in many sizes and any length and make your own. The rod is cheap. Shipping cost more than the rod. Just buy a lot and make some for your friends to make the shipping worth it.

rebs · February 19, 2017, 03:32 PM

I would like to be able to use one rod for seating and cleaning and be able to put a T handle on either end but my rod has two different size threads and the T handle will only fit on the one end with the bigger threaded hole. What can I do, does anyone make a rod with the larger threaded hole on both ends ? Why is there different size threads on the ends ?

Model12Win · February 19, 2017, 04:41 PM

Probably 8-32 and 10-32. Italian ones are 10-32 and the American stuff mainly 8-32. You can order adapters.

Pahoo · February 19, 2017, 06:07 PM

Most of my rods are 10-32 and TC, is 10-32. You can also find an adapter that will help you convert. You can also buy a T-handle that will thread to 10-32. There are many T-handles on the market. One TC that I have is a small flip-up handle that can be left right onto the end of the Field-Rod. Another option is to make your own ball with threaded insert you also can make moth ends the same and I would suggest the 10-32. If you like, I can send you some links for what you need. Again, most of what is out there, is 10-32. Go to one of the M/L sights like Dixie and get what you want. ....

Be Safe !!!

**4V50 Gary** · February 20, 2017, 12:08 AM

I have a solid brass rod about 3/8" in diameter. It's got weight and makes loading and cleaning easy. This is strictly a range rod and it's way too heavy to carry in the field.

The rod started as brass hardware for the emergency push bar for doors. MSC should be able to provide you with them.

Model12Win · February 20, 2017, 12:19 AM

I've got an aluminum solid rod that works pretty nicely and is lightweight. I also have a solid brasser coming which should be even better for the job.

Sure Shot Mc Gee · February 20, 2017, 08:01 AM

Some years back I replaced all my ram rods with yellow brass tubing. The thick walled rods were cut to length and solid brass lathed end Tips were tool steel pinned in place. I bought those custom ordered cut rods from Warren Muzzleloading. (no longer in business)

Brass tubing is very strong and has no flexibility so the rods are super stiff and almost impossible to bend or brake even under extreme applied force. Of course the rods Tips will never ever pull off and that feature alone pleases me.
Such addition/s made the rifle/s more reliable and assuredly enhanced their appearance. Being old school. I prefer a tarnished appearance on my rifles. I do not polish their brass as I don't want to be the only'est one sparkling in the sun light.

rebs · February 20, 2017, 02:54 PM

are the delrin rods some what too flexible for seating balls and cleaning ?

rebs · February 20, 2017, 03:11 PM

I appreciate all the help you guys have given me, Thank you

Hawg · February 20, 2017, 03:37 PM

Quote:

are the delrin rods some what too flexible for seating balls and cleaning ?

They work ok but have a lot more flex than hickory.

Pahoo · February 20, 2017, 04:41 PM

Quote:

are the delrin rods some what too flexible for seating balls and cleaning ?

Delrin is just one of many resin materials available. Some are stiffer than others. I have some rods that I wish I cold identify the resin as they are tough and provide great performance. Many of the black powder supply houses provide complete replacement resin rods. ......

Be Safe !!!!

FrankenMauser · February 21, 2017, 12:08 AM

I use 'phenolic' rods (likely one of the various resins mentioned by Pahoo).
There's an appropriately-sized rod in the muzzle-stuffer, and a 48" range/cleaning rod.

I do not recall the brand. If I had to guess, I might go with Delrin as the material. Though, they could be acetal, as well. They're quite flexible. So if that's not a characteristic you'd like to deal with, then stay away.
One of my brothers once tied an identical 48" range rod in a knot, just to see how far he could go before it broke. It didn't...

But, they're still stiff enough and strong for normal loading, cleaning, ball-pulling, etc.

Pahoo · February 23, 2017, 08:50 PM

Rebs,
Is this what you might be looking for your thread adapter?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Black-Powder...oAAOSwOdpXwxU5

Be Safe !!!!

rebs · February 24, 2017, 07:31 AM

Yes I found one and ordered it from Track of the Wolf
Thanks for all the help from you guys.

February 15, 2017, 05:32 PM	#1
rebs Senior Member Join Date: January 10, 2012 Posts: 3,881	Cleaning and seating rod ? Which is the preferred cleaning, seating rod material, wood, fiberglass, aluminum etc ?

February 15, 2017, 06:31 PM	#3
FrontierGander Senior Member Join Date: January 30, 2009 Location: Boncarbo,Colorado Posts: 651	I use plastic for cleaning. Wood ramrod while hunting/rendezvous and some at home shooting, stainless steel range rod for serious sit down, shut up range shooting. __________________ https://buckskinsbp.blogspot.com/

February 15, 2017, 08:50 PM	#5
Pahoo Senior Member Join Date: February 16, 2006 Location: IOWA Posts: 8,783	No solid Fiberglass Range-Rod; For cleaning and loading, I use a poly coated fiberglass. The glass "never" comes in contact with the bore. For my .32's, I have a black Delrin rod. Field-Rod; I use whatever material rod came with the rifle. However when that rod is Hickory, I substitute with a Delrin duplicate. Hickory rods are my favorite on my side-locks but they won't stand up to heavy use. They are good for loading, cleaning patch and looks but that's about it. ... I also have aluminum, SS and brass. ..... I never use solid fiberglass and they have a history of destroying muzzle crowns. I have a number or TC's that came with solid Fiberglass and they too get replaced with a duplicate Delrin. They never get used. .... Another good item to include, is the use of a bore guide. Be Safe !!!! __________________ 'Fundamental truths' are easy to recognize because they are verified daily through simple observation and thus, require no testing.

February 19, 2017, 03:32 PM	#9
rebs Senior Member Join Date: January 10, 2012 Posts: 3,881	Ball seating and cleaning rod ? I would like to be able to use one rod for seating and cleaning and be able to put a T handle on either end but my rod has two different size threads and the T handle will only fit on the one end with the bigger threaded hole. What can I do, does anyone make a rod with the larger threaded hole on both ends ? Why is there different size threads on the ends ?

February 19, 2017, 06:07 PM	#11
Pahoo Senior Member Join Date: February 16, 2006 Location: IOWA Posts: 8,783	10-32, is the most common thread. .. Most of my rods are 10-32 and TC, is 10-32. You can also find an adapter that will help you convert. You can also buy a T-handle that will thread to 10-32. There are many T-handles on the market. One TC that I have is a small flip-up handle that can be left right onto the end of the Field-Rod. Another option is to make your own ball with threaded insert you also can make moth ends the same and I would suggest the 10-32. If you like, I can send you some links for what you need. Again, most of what is out there, is 10-32. Go to one of the M/L sights like Dixie and get what you want. .... Be Safe !!! __________________ 'Fundamental truths' are easy to recognize because they are verified daily through simple observation and thus, require no testing.

February 15, 2017, 05:48 PM	#2
kwhi43 Senior Member Join Date: August 21, 2008 Location: Kansas City Posts: 1,393	Stainless Steel.

February 15, 2017, 06:32 PM	#4
Model12Win Junior member Join Date: October 20, 2012 Posts: 5,854	Straight grain hickory worked well for years.

February 15, 2017, 11:20 PM	#6
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,189	Whatever comes with the gun. Usually wood or steel. I've only broken one hickory rod and I did that by holding too far up on it. Keep your hand close to the muzzle and they won't break.

February 16, 2017, 03:30 AM	#7
Old Stony Senior Member Join Date: May 31, 2013 Location: East Texas Posts: 1,705	They all seem to work well if used properly. I have a brass range rod that I use often and like the weight of it for seating tight PRB's. I even made up a rod for my 62 calibers out of an old fiberglass golf club. It works like a champ, but they are long and tapered so you can't use them for smaller calibers.

February 19, 2017, 04:41 PM	#10
Model12Win Junior member Join Date: October 20, 2012 Posts: 5,854	Probably 8-32 and 10-32. Italian ones are 10-32 and the American stuff mainly 8-32. You can order adapters.

February 20, 2017, 12:08 AM	#12
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,838	I have a solid brass rod about 3/8" in diameter. It's got weight and makes loading and cleaning easy. This is strictly a range rod and it's way too heavy to carry in the field. The rod started as brass hardware for the emergency push bar for doors. MSC should be able to provide you with them. __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

February 20, 2017, 12:19 AM	#13
Model12Win Junior member Join Date: October 20, 2012 Posts: 5,854	I've got an aluminum solid rod that works pretty nicely and is lightweight. I also have a solid brasser coming which should be even better for the job.

February 20, 2017, 08:01 AM	#14
Sure Shot Mc Gee Senior Member Join Date: January 2, 2012 Location: Minnesota Posts: 3,876	Some years back I replaced all my ram rods with yellow brass tubing. The thick walled rods were cut to length and solid brass lathed end Tips were tool steel pinned in place. I bought those custom ordered cut rods from Warren Muzzleloading. (no longer in business) Brass tubing is very strong and has no flexibility so the rods are super stiff and almost impossible to bend or brake even under extreme applied force. Of course the rods Tips will never ever pull off and that feature alone pleases me. Such addition/s made the rifle/s more reliable and assuredly enhanced their appearance. Being old school. I prefer a tarnished appearance on my rifles. I do not polish their brass as I don't want to be the only'est one sparkling in the sun light.

February 20, 2017, 02:54 PM	#15
rebs Senior Member Join Date: January 10, 2012 Posts: 3,881	are the delrin rods some what too flexible for seating balls and cleaning ?

February 20, 2017, 03:11 PM	#16
rebs Senior Member Join Date: January 10, 2012 Posts: 3,881	what size ball and patch ? I appreciate all the help you guys have given me, Thank you

February 21, 2017, 12:08 AM	#19
FrankenMauser Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2008 Location: In the valley above the plain Posts: 13,424	I use 'phenolic' rods (likely one of the various resins mentioned by Pahoo). There's an appropriately-sized rod in the muzzle-stuffer, and a 48" range/cleaning rod. I do not recall the brand. If I had to guess, I might go with Delrin as the material. Though, they could be acetal, as well. They're quite flexible. So if that's not a characteristic you'd like to deal with, then stay away. One of my brothers once tied an identical 48" range rod in a knot, just to see how far he could go before it broke. It didn't... But, they're still stiff enough and strong for normal loading, cleaning, ball-pulling, etc. __________________ Don't even try it. It's even worse than the internet would lead you to believe.

February 23, 2017, 08:50 PM	#20
Pahoo Senior Member Join Date: February 16, 2006 Location: IOWA Posts: 8,783	Thread adapter Rebs, Is this what you might be looking for your thread adapter? http://www.ebay.com/itm/Black-Powder...oAAOSwOdpXwxU5 Be Safe !!!! __________________ 'Fundamental truths' are easy to recognize because they are verified daily through simple observation and thus, require no testing.

February 24, 2017, 07:31 AM	#21
rebs Senior Member Join Date: January 10, 2012 Posts: 3,881	Yes I found one and ordered it from Track of the Wolf Thanks for all the help from you guys.