AmericanLongRifles Forums
General discussion => Gun Building => Topic started by: California Kid on August 21, 2008, 02:28:59 AM
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Just out of curiousity what size ram rod hole woud you guys use on a .40 rifle.3/8" or 5/16". Have done both as I like the big rod in some cases.
I'm thinking of a golden age Maryland gun in this instance
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In the Rupp rifle I built last year, I used a heavy .45 cal barrel, and drilled the rod hole 3/8" It was a mistake...5/16" would have been better. It would have allowed me to slim the stock from the top of the barrel to the trigger guard. In the Kuntz. 40 cal I just finished, I had Dave Rase drill it 5/16" A much nicer profile. I had him drill the wood for my next Verner rifle, a .50 cal., 5/16" as well. Of course, he hit the web thickness right on at 5/32". The Verner is only 1.6" (by my calculations) top to bottom, so this will give me the profile that emulates the original. A rod tapered to 5/16" on the small end is lots of rod for a .50 cal.
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Taylor,
Thanks for the reply.
I'm thinking the same thing, slimmer profile. The barrel I'm going to use is a rice "b", 1" breech.
Wonder if I should make the first pipe by the muzzle 3/8' for a fatter tip.
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I'd start with a 7/16" rod CK. Taper it to 3/8 at the first and second thimble, then reduce it to fit into your 5/16" hole. You might form your entry pipe around a 11/16" drill bit shank, just to make the entry taper a little nicer. (and stronger)
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11/16"? entry pipe? what am I missing?
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Taylor,
11/16", WOW, big rod!!!!! HA HA
Am sure you meant 11/32".
Thats what I Had in mind to do to make the lower fore end thinner.
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I will second the idea behind using a smaller hole for the rod. If pipes are purchased a 5/16 entry and two 3/8 forestock for a 45 or even a 50. For a 40 all 5/16. If I were to make the pipes for a 40 then they would be slightly oversize 5/16 for the forestock. I believe a large number of originals used tapered ramrods in that manner. I hae an original shot gun that goes from 7/16 to 5/16.
DP
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Just out of curiousity what size ram rod hole woud you guys use on a .40 rifle.3/8" or 5/16". Have done both as I like the big rod in some cases.
I'm thinking of a golden age Maryland gun in this instance
5/16" in a 40 cal.
But you need a drill slightly larger to accept 5/16"
Dan
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Thanks for the replies.
I'm building a 14 GA. English Fowler right now and I wished I had used a 5/16" hole in it.
Would make for a slimmer gun.Going to use 5/16" in the .40. rifle.
Built a ladies gun .40 and used the 3/8", just to be safer for my girl friend, a beginner, but it make the fore end a little fat. Rifle is in the archives-Kid