Ram rod tip

[Craig Wilcox]

I was making a powder measurer from some old deer antler, and wondering what to do with the tip[ that I cut off.
So, decided to make a ram rod tip out of it, it's quite white, just a tinge of color to it, looks almost like ivory.
The plan right now is to join the antler tip to the hickory rod with a piece of #8-32 thread and some epoxy.
Has anyone on here made such a RR tip?  Results?
I used my drill press and a file to round it, just a wee bit under 0.375".  As it is for a .45 caliber, I tapered it to end at about 0.43", then flattened the end.
Figured I would ask for advice before I scraped it smooth.
Many thanks!

[rich pierce]

Threading plus exoxy may work. Threading alone failed in my experience.

[Joe S]

Drill a hole all the way through the antler, then cut a slot in the end of the RR. Put the antler tip on the RR, then drive a wedge in the slot. This is an historically correct method. Works good.

[Huntschool]

I did one for a friend like Jose Gordo did cept I "treated the porous end with thin super glue to fill the pores and perhaps add some extra strength.  Seemed to work as 6 years later he has not broke the RR and the tip is like the day I made it.  I guess he is mor gentel with his RR then I thought he might be.

[Craig Wilcox]

Rich, Jose', and Bruce - thanks for the reply and the "tips" on the tip!  I had not thought of the wedge idea to hold it on to the rod.
It did polish up quite nicely, and I think it will look quite nice when I finish the rifle.
With all the surgeries I have been having, it is nice to have little projects like this to help keep me busy.

[hanshi]

I drilled a 1/2" to 3/4" deep hole into the antler tips and inserted the RR into the hole.  I then drilled a tiny cross hole and pinned the tip just like I do metal tips.  Antler is brittle and one must take care when doing this.