Ramrod diameter versus caliber.

[Jerry V Lape]

First time to work on a .40 cal build.  It appears that the ramrod needs to be 5/16ths on this caliber as a 3/8ths would probably not leave sufficient room for patching etc.  Am I correct that a 5/16ths rod  would be right?   Are there any accepted standards for ramrods by caliber? 

[Mark Elliott]

No standards; just whatever works.   Original ramrods were generally tapered.  I make most of my ramrods tapered from 3/8" to 5/16"  from the first thimble to the last thimble because that is the size I made my thimble mandrels.  I always flare the tip of the ramrod a bit.   For the standard ramrod mentioned above,  the tip would flare to 7/16" or a little less.  I start with a 7/16" ramrod for most of my rifles.  That size works for 45 to 54 caliber pretty well.   For 40 caliber,  I would probably make the tip of the ramrod 3/8" and taper back to 11/32" at the first thimble.   It would then taper to 5/16" by the second thimble and maintain that diameter.  I am pretty sure that is what I did on my last 40 caliber.

[mjm46@bellsouth.net]

I usually use straight rods, and for .40 Cal I would use a 5/16" rod. I use 3/8" rods on 50 cal. Works for me.

[Lucky R A]

    I see no problem with a 3/8 rod on a 40 cal.  As Mark said the ramrod should be tapered leaving a nice swell at the front end and then tapered down to usually a 5/16 tip inside the gun.   I use pre cut patches, and have no problem seating them with the rod as described above.  I just sighted one last night with this very same arrangement.  Ron

[Herb]

I have built a half dozen .40 caliber rifles and I always use straight 3/8" rods.  The commercial ones don't measure .375, more like .360.  I fit rod tips on both ends and file them down until they go through the rod pipes smoothly and into the hole in the stock.  I drill the rod hole 25/64" (.390") to allow the extra clearance.

[galamb]

I always go with the largest diameter ram rod that will fit down the bore. That way you get the strongest rod possible - unless it would look really "wrong".

[David R. Pennington]

If it is a hunting rifle then the rod should be a working tool and the larger diameter the better. I also like to taper my rods from near bore size down. The stouter the rod the better if you ever have to pull a ball with it.