Dewey cleaning rods??

[Dave R]

I have used a stainless steel range rod with a nylon tapered muzzle guide for 37 years loading and cleaning muzzleloaders, Of course there is a certain amount of rod flex that the rod contacts the lands of the barrel associated with cleaning and ramming a ball home which wears the lands over time! I contacted Dewey cleaning rod company makers of fine cartridge rifle rods that have nylon slick coating designed to reduce barrel wear! However all the rods they make have ball bearing handles which eliminates using a bottom scraper, My question is does this nylon coating reduce barrel wear and can it be applied to a muzzleloading range rod?

[Bart]

David,

Dewey Rods are very well made and are fantastic for modern applications and yes, they do reduce the propensity for muzzle crown wear and rifling wear. However the coating is easily damaged by a sharp crown. The use of a muzzle guide is highly recommended. For large bores such as muzzle loaders choose the largest diameter rod for this type of work. I have more that 25 Dewey Rods and I love them all!!!!

Bart

[Dphariss]

I have used a stainless steel range rod with a nylon tapered muzzle guide for 37 years loading and cleaning muzzleloaders, Of course there is a certain amount of rod flex that the rod contacts the lands of the barrel associated with cleaning and ramming a ball home which wears the lands over time! I contacted Dewey cleaning rod company makers of fine cartridge rifle rods that have nylon slick coating designed to reduce barrel wear! However all the rods they make have ball bearing handles which eliminates using a bottom scraper, My question is does this nylon coating reduce barrel wear and can it be applied to a muzzleloading range rod?

I would not use a coated rod. They cause "problems" with the brass suppository guns. You need a rod made of heavier material that will not flex and run on the bore. So far as bearing handles. Bearing handle rods are problematical with MLs since most of the time I am gripping the rod not the handle (and I make BPCR rods with bearings). Bearing handles clean better since the patch follows the rifling better. But in a RB twist this is not a huge factor either. In calibers 40 and over a 5/16  non-magnetic stainless (304-304) rod will not flex much at all and with a muzzle guide would be safe for the bore.

Dan

[Jerry]

I have never used a Dewey range rod. I have always made my own out of 1/4" aircraft aluminum rod. Drilled and tapped with 10-32 threads and with an Oregon chain saw file handle, makes a good rod.

[One Eye]

Dan makes the finest BPCR rods on the planet.
Beautifully crafted and finished,  and very stiff.
He ships them in heavy wall PVC pipe, so the UPS guys cannot bend them.
Rice uses very heavy cardboard for their range rods with the same result.
Best,
One Eye

[Jerry V Lape]

Jerry,  aluminum rods are very abrasive.  The exterior of unprotected aluminum oxidizes forming a coating of aluminum oxide which is the abrasive coating on fine metal working type "sandpaper" and those white or gray sharpening sticks used for knives.  The oxide is much harder than steel so you may want to rethink that material for rods. 

[iloco]

I use Ivy Cleaning rods for my 22 benchrest shooting and use a Rice SS for my Muzzleloaders.
Both are suppose to be the best.  I use a bore guide for my 22,s and a muzzle guide for my Rice Rod.