Broken ramrod

[Mr.remington]

Well I was shooting my 45 cal flintlock today. After two bulls eyes and a pumpkin I broke my ramrod. I Usualy use a hickory hockey stick to make them. Any suggestions on a better choice. This one snapped like a toothpick and was quite dry. Mind you I have probably got 100 or so shots using that one .

[MikePal]

I have a solid brass one....I picked it off eBay a few years back..should last me a lifetime.

I bought one of the graphite ones but don't like it as a ram rod...too light. I use it for swabbing and cleaning only.

I bought mine used,...but this guy will give you a quote....should be around $35

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Custom-Brass...item418725be4a

[crunch68]

I made one from a piece of metal cold rolled rod. Home Depot. Put a knob on one end, drilled and tapped the other. A plastic sleeve- I used something, forget what it's called, to mount a roller wheel on furniture, again HD, which fits in the muzzle and prevents wear on the rifling.
It's been a long time since I made it. Great range rod. Hope this makes sense.

[Tactical870]

I buy my blanks from Becky at Hillfolk Muskets out west. Really cheap and they are beyond exceptional to deal with.

[hollywood]

Although not traditional, I have changed all my guns' ramrods to carbon ones. You cut them to the proper length. I suspect the wooden rods would break in the cold and when you are rushing to reload during a hunt. At the range, I use a metal range rod.

[jaycee]

Back in the "Old Days" of muzzle loading, ramrods were soaked in a hot kerosene /linseed oil mix this would make the ram rods more flexible and less prone to breakage , especially in the smaller caliber diameters, 45 and under.
Hickory was the wood of choice.

[Mr.remington]

jaycee. Thanks that was my next question. I need one for the 32 cal dad and I are building . Might use something other than wood for that one.

[Mr.remington]

Well I had to make due with a shorter ramrod from another 45 of my brothers. I have a tc short starter that I was able to extend it by 4 inches. At least I'm out hunting.