Making a ramrod

[Highland Drifter]

Are any special tools need to fit ends to a ramrod blank? Do the ends require some type of crimp?

[Coffinmaker]

GLUE ??

[Kent Shootwell]

No crimp, but a cross pin after fitting the tip to the rod is what many prefer. Glue can be helpful as well but with out the cross pin the twisting and pulling in useing the ram rod can leave the tip and jag in the barrel.

[Baltimore Ed]

Careful filing of the wood to get a nice tight grip in the ramrod tip. You want the rod to bottom out inside the tip and depending on the diameter of your rod and tip either butt or overlap the rod tenon. And a crosspin. I made mine double ended to protect the wood in case you have to resort to a little force to seat a too tight ball/patch.

[Major 2]

Two  18 guage brads  driven in one from each side about  1/2 apart

[Coffinmaker]

When I make "Stick, Mark 1, A1" (Spacer/Filler to prevent Henry magazine discharges) I first clue a 45 Schofield case over the dowel, then drill it for, and insert a brass wood screw.  File/polish the screw ends flus with the case.  Forever.

[Highland Drifter]

Thanks for the replies, the online vendor I found makes one for the rifle I have but shows it as backordered. So, I may try my hand at assembling one and possibly save $15.00 or so.

[Reverend P. Babcock Chase]

Howdy,

Spent many lustrums working for muzzleloading companies. The advice here has all been good as far as it goes. Definitely bottom the rod in the tip. I would epoxy and pin the tip. Most important, carefully select the wood for the rod. it should be a tough straight-grained wood like ash or hickory. T'he grain should run the length of the rod. if it runs out to the side it could break during use leaving a sharp edge that can make a nasty wound. Search the muzzleloading outfits that supply parts for rifle builders. They may have they right wood rods (not lumber yard dowels).

That's all I understand about what I know about it.

Reverend Chase

[Highland Drifter]

Are the hickory blanks from track of the wolf of good quality?

[wildman1]

Hardening the rod can be done by soaking the rod in kerosene for at least a week before cutting to length and attaching the tip.
wM1

[sail32]

Try Track of the Wolf for ramrods and blanks.

Scroll down.

https://www.trackofthewolf.com/List/Category.aspx/632#829

[Bunk]

If you are not interested in "period correct" delrin (sp?) and fiberglass rods are practically unbreakable.
Lots of places Track, Dixie, Possible shop and others. Epoxy it and pin it because losing a tip in the bore is bad medicine.
Bunk

[Reverend P. Babcock Chase]

Back again,

One caution on fiberglass rods. Some can be very abrasive though they are very strong. Way back in the beginning of the muzzleloading boom (sorry about that), I was giving a lot of demos teaching outdoor writers, and others interested. I used a fiberglass range rod for its strength and extra length. A lot of loading for other folks to shoot their first time with a muzzleloader. I actually wore the rifling away at the muzzle of the rifle I was using.

If you are just using the rod for hunting you could be ok, but if you intend a lot of range work, go with hickory of even delrin. Back then delrin was a little "floppy" but was ok for a longer range rod. For extended range work, I'd suggest an long range rod for ease of loading and preservation of the rifle's rod. Unless they have improved, I'd stay away from fiberglass.

Rev. Chase

[Highland Drifter]

The rifle currently has a plastic looking ramrod, I guess Delrin. I guess I will order a hickory one from track of the wolf and hope it doesn't have any grain runout. I can't find a brick and mortar store with split hickory dowels to hand pick one.

Thanks for the assembly help and suggestions.