I made a range rod out of hickory wood and glued the ends on with Gorilla glue. That went really well, left the wood under the ends a little rough fr the glue to hold on. The tips have rings in them for the glue to hold better. My question is would you put pins in the ends ? This is to be my range rod for bullet seating, cleaning between shots for removing a stuck ball just in case that happens.
Range rod
- Thread starter rebs
- Start date
Model12Win
Moderator
Same.
You don't want it to snap off.
You don't want it to snap off.
Smokin'Joe
New member
No pins. Drilling holes for the pins will weaken the wood. When applied properly Gorilla glue is plenty strong enough. I made one like yours and used glue without pins. Works great.
swathdiver
New member
Pin it. Hickory is plenty strong to run pins through.
A pin within the ferrule will have no effect on the strength of the rod.It will help ensure the end will not come off.
Hickory is "the" ramrod wood.Not all rods are created equal.Best is one made of a "split" of hickory.That has to do with grain running the length.
If you have crossgrain it can fail,which may end up with your hand impaled.
While lacking in aesthetics,a very practical muzzle loader range rod is a GI .50 cal machine gun 1 piece cleaning rod.
Hickory is "the" ramrod wood.Not all rods are created equal.Best is one made of a "split" of hickory.That has to do with grain running the length.
If you have crossgrain it can fail,which may end up with your hand impaled.
While lacking in aesthetics,a very practical muzzle loader range rod is a GI .50 cal machine gun 1 piece cleaning rod.
foolzrushn
New member
rebs
What is the glued end made from? Brass?
You need to look at a hardware store or hobby store, for small diameter aluminum or brass rod or screws. You want something that goes through the end, but is flush, and that won't scratch the bore. You might even use nylon or fiberglass, but brass would be nice if it matched the end.
With a brass or aluminum pin, you could brad the ends to retain the pin, as well as gluing it in place. Hobby shops have small diameter solid rods in foot long pieces.
There are some really small brass ( not plated ) countersunk screws. You could drill a pilot hole, countersink the head into the end piece and glue the screw in place. Then file the screw head smooth if necessary.
After all that...just had a brain storm...what about using the 'nail' part of a pop rivet? Bet you have some of those.
What is the glued end made from? Brass?
You need to look at a hardware store or hobby store, for small diameter aluminum or brass rod or screws. You want something that goes through the end, but is flush, and that won't scratch the bore. You might even use nylon or fiberglass, but brass would be nice if it matched the end.
With a brass or aluminum pin, you could brad the ends to retain the pin, as well as gluing it in place. Hobby shops have small diameter solid rods in foot long pieces.
There are some really small brass ( not plated ) countersunk screws. You could drill a pilot hole, countersink the head into the end piece and glue the screw in place. Then file the screw head smooth if necessary.
After all that...just had a brain storm...what about using the 'nail' part of a pop rivet? Bet you have some of those.
Stainless steel is the best thing to make range rods from. You can buy these
like this. I made this one for my pistol. It's only 10 inches long but I have 6
or more 35 inches long for my rifles. They are threaded on the end for different
jags. ball puller ect. The rod is 1/4 inch dia. Dirt won't stick to it. The muzzle
protecter can be made from a modern brass carthage case. This way the rod
is always centered in the barrel. This is the way we all do it who shoot atvFriendship.
like this. I made this one for my pistol. It's only 10 inches long but I have 6
or more 35 inches long for my rifles. They are threaded on the end for different
jags. ball puller ect. The rod is 1/4 inch dia. Dirt won't stick to it. The muzzle
protecter can be made from a modern brass carthage case. This way the rod
is always centered in the barrel. This is the way we all do it who shoot atvFriendship.
Rebs,as kiwi suggested,muzzle loader barrels are made of faily soft steel,and bore wear from the rod is not good.
While softer materials seem like a good idea,in truth the gather and hold grit,which is abrasive.
The stainless with bore guide shown will be best for the rifle.A steel rod can be kept clean.
The GI .50 rod I suggested can be set up with a similar bore guide.
I do prefer the traditional hickory ram rod for use in the field.
I' thinking even the big box building supply stores have brass escutcheon pins or brads.I think you can get them .040or .050 in dia.
While softer materials seem like a good idea,in truth the gather and hold grit,which is abrasive.
The stainless with bore guide shown will be best for the rifle.A steel rod can be kept clean.
The GI .50 rod I suggested can be set up with a similar bore guide.
I do prefer the traditional hickory ram rod for use in the field.
I' thinking even the big box building supply stores have brass escutcheon pins or brads.I think you can get them .040or .050 in dia.
swathdiver
New member
Any hardware store will have 1/16" brass or copper rod, use that to pin your end through the wood. Hammer the ends down so that they are flush.
You want to use soft metals in these rods, unless using stainless rod with a bore protector. Stay away from fiberglass.
If you keep your hickory range rod clean and waxed, it will not impart dirt into the bore.
As for me and my house, we use a stainless range rod while working up a load. Our goal is to hunt with a load that is easy to load, so once that has been determined, the venerable hickory ramrod is all we'll need.
You want to use soft metals in these rods, unless using stainless rod with a bore protector. Stay away from fiberglass.
If you keep your hickory range rod clean and waxed, it will not impart dirt into the bore.
As for me and my house, we use a stainless range rod while working up a load. Our goal is to hunt with a load that is easy to load, so once that has been determined, the venerable hickory ramrod is all we'll need.
My Rods
RangeRods;
These are rods that are dedicated to the range/bench. I am fortunate to have two TC rods that are yellow poly coated fiberglass. Over the years, they have taken more than their share of abuse, including pulling RB.s, Conicals and Sabots. I also have a "Delrin" Rod for my .36 &.32. All are supplied with bore guides. .....
RamRods;
On my SideLocks, I keep the Hickories for show, loading and swabbing. For hunting, I have Delrins duplicates that will take the beating of extracting projectiles.
Pinning;
I often make RamRods for folk and if the tips are drilled for pinning, I pin them with brass brads. You don't have to pin a rod but you better have a very good adhesive. Most polymer based adhesives, are very good. ....
Be Safe !!!
RangeRods;
These are rods that are dedicated to the range/bench. I am fortunate to have two TC rods that are yellow poly coated fiberglass. Over the years, they have taken more than their share of abuse, including pulling RB.s, Conicals and Sabots. I also have a "Delrin" Rod for my .36 &.32. All are supplied with bore guides. .....
RamRods;
On my SideLocks, I keep the Hickories for show, loading and swabbing. For hunting, I have Delrins duplicates that will take the beating of extracting projectiles.
Pinning;
I often make RamRods for folk and if the tips are drilled for pinning, I pin them with brass brads. You don't have to pin a rod but you better have a very good adhesive. Most polymer based adhesives, are very good. ....
Be Safe !!!
swathdiver
New member
It should work but you may want to give it a stress test afterwards; if you haven't already made your rod to its final length! But, if you can get to the hardware store for some 1/16" rod, do it.
Brass brads/mails/escusion pins
Be Safe !!!
Plenty good for this service. .....
Look at my previous reply where I reference "Brass-Brads" or nails. I think they also call them escutcheon pins. I use these on rod tips as well as my horns. These come in a package and have round heads. Look for them and I'm sure your will find them. A package will last a long time and work great !!! ...
Be Safe !!!
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