Author Topic: Alternative wood for ram rods (Read 3766 times)

okawbow · « **Reply #25 on:** October 21, 2022, 04:58:39 PM »

The old Ramin wood dowels were tough. I used them for arrows, and they could survive a direct hit that would break any other wood arrow and most aluminum and carbon arrows also. I have a hardware store Ramin rod on my .62 Hawken I made in 1976. As long as you pick straight grain with no run-out, they will work fine.

Daryl · « **Reply #26 on:** October 21, 2022, 07:35:23 PM »

One thing about ramin, is it breaks straight across - a flat break, instead of a splintered break. This is likely due to the very short grain structure. We used to call it
Taiwan Hickory and although not in the same class as hickory, in the larger sizes, ie: 7/16" and larger, it works well for range rods.

Darkhorse · « **Reply #27 on:** October 21, 2022, 10:51:13 PM »

I was wondering if anyone would mention "Ramin" wood for ram rods? I bought some from Track of the wolf a few years ago, to make ramrods from. Thing was I didn't notice they were "Ramin" instead of Hickory. So I made a couple up and used them for years thinking they were Hickory.
None ever broke or cracked. They worked perfectly. It was only much later when I needed a longer ramrod and went back to Track of the wolf, that I noticed my mistake. This time I ordered correctly and got Hickory.
If I broke a ramrod and couldn't find Hickory I would certainly use ramin to make a new one.

longcruise · « **Reply #28 on:** October 24, 2022, 06:34:57 PM »

Ive made them with straight grained oak stock from the big box stores. I've never had one break but now I can get hickory locally and am using straight grained hickory for rods. I guess I'm a weirdo cause I enjoy making rods and end up with more than I need.

bob in the woods · « **Reply #29 on:** October 24, 2022, 06:51:28 PM »

I split mine out of white ash. The rod on my .54 rifle has been in constant use for 25 years.

LynnC · « **Reply #30 on:** October 24, 2022, 10:37:13 PM »

We have a lot of privet hedge around here. It grows long slender straight shoots. Very flexible. I made a ram rod for a smoothbore from one simply by scraping of the bark and drying a few days then finished with stain and tung oil. It is naturally tapered and only had to shave some small knots to get it thru the thimble and into the stock. I seems to work just fine loading wads and shot or paper cartridges with ball. Ive not yet tried a privet rod in a tightly patched rifle.

Daryl · « **Reply #31 on:** October 25, 2022, 06:54:47 AM »

Lynn, I am surprised the privit hedge renders reasonably straight shafts. Most hedges I see have really crooked branches.

Pukka Bundook · « **Reply #32 on:** October 25, 2022, 07:50:16 AM »

Daryl,
Its the straight 'suckers' that grow out from the bottom of the hedge. maybe you need a more neglected hedge!
ours are hard as nails when they dry.

BOB HILL · « **Reply #33 on:** October 25, 2022, 03:38:33 PM »

I’ve used privet hedge shoots for a few pistol and short barreled guns before. It worked fine.
Bob

MeliusCreekTrapper · « **Reply #34 on:** October 25, 2022, 03:51:51 PM »

I wouldn't hesitate to use an elm ramrod, course I wouldn't want to make one either. Elm grain structure puts hickory to shame.

Long John · « **Reply #35 on:** October 25, 2022, 04:16:37 PM »

Goo,

I don't know what part of the country you are from so I don't know if these comments are worth your time. Hickory lumber is very hard to find! But in the east from New York on south they grow wild all over. Years ago I read an article by Eric Kettenburg on how he harvested hickory logs. On January day (that was butt-kicking cold) I went out into the woods and cut down a mockernut hickory tree (the smooth-bark hickories are better than shag-barks) of about 10 inches in diameter and cut the trunk into 5 foot sections. I split each sections into quarters and stashed them in the wood shed. I've been making rods from those logs for close to 20 years! Each time I finish a gun I split off a piece about 1 inch in cross-section and shave it down from there. (always rive a log in the direction it grew, from root towards crown) Hickory is a delightful wood and certainly worth the work of riving one from a split. I have never broken a riven ramrod.

White oak is a ring-porous wood and can have very wide spring growth that is very porous. While white oak is very strong in compression it does not have the flexibility of hickory. I would not expect it to serve well. Ash is also ring-porous but the spring wood is usually more narrow with wider summer wood growth. That apparently improves its flexural modulus.

Best Regards,

JMC

longcruise · « **Reply #36 on:** October 25, 2022, 08:03:26 PM »

The reference to using suckers has reminded me that my peach tree has several. All the fruit trees are tough. I'll cut and season them and see what happens.

Clark Badgett · « **Reply #37 on:** October 26, 2022, 05:15:16 AM »

I've seen ash, Holme oak and European walnut mentioned for smoothbores.

flatsguide · « **Reply #38 on:** October 26, 2022, 12:13:19 PM »

This may be. Of interest...
http://www.cablesfarm.co.uk/ramrods-and-loading-rods/

CheersRichard

Pukka Bundook · « **Reply #39 on:** October 26, 2022, 03:47:56 PM »

In England and Europe, as is largely used where hickory is in the US.
Ramrods, hammer, axe handles etc....
that and Purple heart for rammers, as stated already earlier

taco650 · « **Reply #40 on:** October 28, 2022, 02:12:47 AM »

Quote from: okawbow on October 21, 2022, 04:58:39 PM

The old Ramin wood dowels were tough. I used them for arrows, and they could survive a direct hit that would break any other wood arrow and most aluminum and carbon arrows also. I have a hardware store Ramin rod on my .62 Hawken I made in 1976. As long as you pick straight grain with no run-out, they will work fine.

Ditto

Eric Krewson · « **Reply #41 on:** October 28, 2022, 10:17:04 PM »

Where I live in N/W Alabama Chinese Privet has taken over most of the bottom land that is not cultivated. It puts out arrow quality shoots in profusion. I have made arrows from it and found it to be very dense and heavy.

Privet, we have way too much of it. You can't even walk through a patch of it.

LynnC · « **Reply #42 on:** October 31, 2022, 01:14:48 AM »

Eric beat me to it.

Same over here in Mississippi. We are over run with privet. Absolutely a weed bush. It is good to finally find a use for it other than a switch...Ouch

And you cant get rid of it either. Cut it to the ground and it spings from the stump and the ground all around. Privet can be a curse.

I tried cutting suckers from my apple trees but none were as straight as the privet.

Eric Krewson · « **Reply #43 on:** November 02, 2022, 02:58:57 AM »

I cut it on my place and spray the stump with "Stump Killer" from Lowe's, the privet won't be coming back.

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Author Topic: Alternative wood for ram rods (Read 3766 times)