Ramrod hole too large

[whitebear]

Thirty years ago (when I knew everything) I had barrel channel and ramrod grove cut into a maple blank, 15/16 barrel and 7/16 ramrod grove.  Now that I have the time to devote to this project and hopefully do a good job I realize that for an early Lancaster this is too large a RR grove.  I think that I can take care of the exposed grove but what to do about the drilled hole?  I had thought of inletting a 3/8 entry thimble and then gluing a 7/16 rod in the hole and re drilling for 3/8 ramrod. 

How would you do it?

[Acer Saccharum]

What is the problem with a 7/16 hole? Will the rr hole break thru if you slim the forestock down? 

[whitebear]

Won't a 7/16 rod make the fore end look too bulky?  This is a rifle that I have always wanted to build and I want it to be the absolute best that I am capable of doing.  Not that I don't try to make all the guns I build as good as possible this one just has a special place.

[bob in the woods]

Just because you have a 7/16th hole doesn't mean you need to use a 7/16th rod .

[alex e.]

Yes, what  Bob said.Use  3/8 pipes and RR,You should be fine.

[Acer Saccharum]

Bulk will be determined by the web between the rr hole and the barrel, and the hole diam.

If you are concerned about bulk, because your web is 5/16" or 1/4", you can inlet the barrel deeper to reduce the web thickness.

If the lock inlet has already been done, you have to see if lowering the barrel is possible.

[little joe]

I have built many this way. I use a 7/16 foreward and a 3/8 entry and modify a 3/8 middle to .400. The brass thembles from TOW that have the rolled ribs on them work best. Take a 3/8, split the tab spot weld with a chisel, then anneal and open it up and use a .400 bit shank for a mandrel. works fine for me Makes for a nice sturdy RR whith a nice taper.

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

My advice is to go ahead and build the rifle.  I built a Lancaster rifle about 30 years ago and thought a 7/16" ramrod was what the .62 cal barrel required.  Yes, the lower forestock is a little beefy, but it looks fine, and the big rod ensures fearless loading.  I don't remember the web thickness on this rifle but it was likely in the 3/16" range.





It seemed like the way to go, as I'd been building mostly Hawken rifles, so this rifle is quite robust - kind of like a JJ Henry.

[mountainman70]

I agree with Taylor,i have broke a few 3/8 rods in the woods and on range,but NEVER a 7/16 rod,definatly made for Fearless use.Like Taylor,I like Hawken rifles,but build long slim ones too.I tend to like serviceability.I am currently building a half stock plains style using a precarve with a 1" barrel and 7/16 rod.As I had to buy a barrel,I got a 54 cal,and the ramrod is great for this.If ya want to use the 7/16 rod,get a large bore unless you want a squirrel gun,tho if you hunt squirrel in Georgia,that big 54 might be of benefit.Sometimes ya have to shoot a small limb ofn them pecan trees to get ol squirrely.lol,happy building.Dave

[Birddog6]

I would use 3/8" pipes on it.  Nobody but you (well on here now) knows the hole in the stock is 7/16".  The hole in the stock doesn't matter as long as it is large enough dia. to let the RR in, unless a larger dia.  gets into the lock or the barrel.   As for the web between the barrel & the RR, you work that down several ways, if that is more than you like.

Keith Lisle

[Long John]

I find a 7/16ths ramrod far preferable to a 3/8ths rod.  Most of my serious shooting friends do too.

This rifle has a 54 caliber barrel and a 7/16ths rod.



No one has ever said it looks too fat! 

A 7/16ths ramrod has a cross-sectional area that is about 50% greater than its 3/8ths little brother, making it much harder to break.  If you are building the rifle to shoot you will be glad you have that thicker rod every time you seat a load.

Best Regards,

John Cholin

[Acer Saccharum]

Has anyone said the horizontal stripes make your gun look fat?

[whitebear]

Thanks for all the good advice and information on this subject and all others that I have posted throughout the year.  I can depend on someone here slapping me up 'side the head and getting my thinking straight again  I hope that I have been a help to someone this past year, if not then I will try harder next year.

To all of you and your dear families I would like to take this opportunity to wish you a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR

O' yeah watch for the reindeer you know we lost Grand Ma several years ago when she got run over by the reindeer.