Ramrod reveal

[billd]

I'm making a squirrel rifle loosely based, very loosely, on Fred Millers Fourdney pattern with an A weight 42" barrel. I have the forearm thinned down to where it's scaring me, but looks great. My question is how much of the ramrod should be exposed, looking from the side? It's a 5/16th ramrod.  Right now I have a little more than 1/2 exposed and it still looks clunky. My wood removal tool works great but my wood add-on tool doesn't so I asking for opinions before I go to far.

Thanks,
Bill

[Larry Luck]

Scared is good.  Terrified is just right.  Suicidal and you have gone a little too far.
2/3 is what I attempt.  You are probably there or within 1/64 of an inch.  Your molding will slim the forestock and the stain will make it look thinner still.
Good luck.
Larry Luck

[LynnC]

Drop that wood along side of the barrel flats to show a bit more than 1/2 the side flats.  That'll slim it as well.  Cut off too much and it just looks slimmer!

Last rifle I built had a band saw mishap in mid RR chanel.  Probably don't have 1/16 to 3/32" groove depth for a 5/16 rod and it looks GOOD.

If you think you took off too much, it could probably stand a little more.............................Lynn

[Roger Fisher]

Last year no make that two years ago I purposely took the upper forearm web down v thin and showed 2/3 of the rod.  Entered at the maker's Fair and got docked for too 'shallow' of a groove....   Go figure I counted to 10 or maybe 110 and remembered that it is called 'judging'!   The rifle is a nice one not fancy for sure but 'nice'

No I did not want or intend to open  a can of worms abt the fair judging; but did want to answer the question.

[Stophel]

As I understand it, the judges there have some pretty odd ideas.

As a general rule, I go for about 2/3rds of the rod showing.  I start with the groove at half depth and then cut the fore end down.  I don't know what Fordney did.  I'm not that familiar with his guns. 

[Tom Currie]

Roger, I had half my rod covered and that was judged too much.  Guess there's a pretty fine line there. The rifle I'm working on now I'll shoot for 2/3 showing.

[Pete G.]

Maybe you guys could build an oval ramrod and just rotate it to what ever the judge's preference is that day.