mmarkey
Senior Member
Stabow
Good luck with your new rifle. I would recommend ordering at least five, 5/16" hickory rods from a place like TOW or similar. When you get them examine them well for grain run out. When you get a good straight one you won't likely be able to break it easily. Also on that small diameter rod you don't need a brass tip. They didn't use them on the originals, it's a new adaptation. If you feel you really need a cleaning jag carve it into the rod on the end you're not ramming with. When I build rifles I buy ramrods in bunches of 10 or more and examine them one by one, I can usually discard 30% to 40% as junk or for use as dowels only, because of bad grain. I have never in my lifetime broken a hickory rod in use, just take great care selecting a rod and it will last as long as your rifle. Also don't get sucked into using "Ramin" a South American straight grained wood, it is very easy to break. DON'T USE IT, EVER. Hope some of this helps.
Good luck with your new rifle. I would recommend ordering at least five, 5/16" hickory rods from a place like TOW or similar. When you get them examine them well for grain run out. When you get a good straight one you won't likely be able to break it easily. Also on that small diameter rod you don't need a brass tip. They didn't use them on the originals, it's a new adaptation. If you feel you really need a cleaning jag carve it into the rod on the end you're not ramming with. When I build rifles I buy ramrods in bunches of 10 or more and examine them one by one, I can usually discard 30% to 40% as junk or for use as dowels only, because of bad grain. I have never in my lifetime broken a hickory rod in use, just take great care selecting a rod and it will last as long as your rifle. Also don't get sucked into using "Ramin" a South American straight grained wood, it is very easy to break. DON'T USE IT, EVER. Hope some of this helps.
