Ramrod extending past muzzle.

[JNG3]

It seems to be a no no to have the ramrod extend past the muzzle these days. However looking through some old photographs it seems the riflemen of the past did extend the ramrod past the muzzle, often by a few inches, at least part of the time. For some convenient examples look at the "hermit" and "mountain men" posts in the 'over the back fence' forum. Is this a theory vs reality issue? Meaning the gunmakers preferred to have the ramrod flush with the muzzle (theory) but the end user found it nice or even necessary to use a longer rod (reality)? Yes, mundane details like these interest me.

[Stoner creek]

Why I don't like that rod sticking out past the barrel;
1. It makes the gun harder to load.
2. Probably distorts the flight of the ball. Bayonets do.
3. Plum goofy looking.

 I won't let a gun out of my shop looking like that.
Cheers!!

[Curtis]

I made a trade gun a few years back with a "native replaced ramrod".  I made the ramrod from Osage Orange and extended it an inch or two past the muzzle.  Kinda wonky but it works well and I like it!  Not everyone's cup 'o tea though!










Curtis

[bgf]

Try wiping or cleaning with an exact length rod...  It's ok for loading, but unless you extend it with a jag (or probably worm in the old days), wiping all the way to breech is difficult. 

[okawbow]

I make a longer rod on my southern rifles. Looks more authentic. Much easier to use when loading with the wood ram rod.

Never noticed any effect on accuracy.

[Clark Badgett]

Why I don't like that rod sticking out past the barrel;
1. It makes the gun harder to load.
2. Probably distorts the flight of the ball. Bayonets do.
3. Plum goofy looking.

 I won't let a gun out of my shop looking like that.
Cheers!!

Bayonets affect the flight of the ball because they are hanging on the barrel. Not so with ram rods. I agree with #3 whole heartedly.

[CavSoldier3ACR]

The bayonet does not affect the accuracy of a rifle, it affects the point of impact because it changes the harmonics of the barrel, much like a suppressor will do.  I do not see how a ramrod, which is not touching the barrel would affect point of impact or accuracy, as the ball would be unaffected once it leaves the end of the barrel.  I do agree, that it does look odd to those of us who are used to seeing the ramrod not extending beyond the muzzle, but I suspect it was not uncommon in the day.  Just my two cents.

Ed

[BOB HILL]

Most of the pictures I've seen with the ramrod long I felt were rifles being used mainly for match shooting. I'm use to some pretty thick woods down here and can only imagine hanging that long rod up. I'd probably break it and tear the front thimble off with my luck. I do use a longer rod when shooting target and cleaning, but not in the woods.     Bob

[JNG3]

Well for the record I do prefer a slightly longer rod than what I would get if the rod was flush with the muzzle. It's interesting to look at original rifles and old photos to see what others did in years past. Sometimes the photos make you think and wonder if what we do today is not quite as historically accurate as we would like to think it is.

[flehto]

I don't extend the RR past the muzzle on my builds, but if the buyers want to do so, so be it. I could save a little bit of time by having the RR extend by whatever length, but to me, it kinda violates the looks......but it might look rustic to some.  In the end though, it's a small thing which shouldn't be argued .....very subjective.....Fred

[smokinbuck]

I have extended rods in several rifles. It's easier to clean without an extension and it's easier to get out of the thimbles when it has swollen from the weather.
Mark

[Mike Brooks]

I  make all of mine 1/2" or 1"past the muzzle. Easier to draw. My guns are so cool to look at you never get done looking clear to the muzzle to even notice the ram rod.

[seniorsgt]

I like just the rod tip past the muzzle, a lot easier to grab with cold fingers in winter

[JBJ]

Raised in East Tennessee, I guess I don't know any better! Hog rifle ramrods are "supposed" to extend beyond the muzzle.
J.B.

[T*O*F]

If you have to pull a ball, it's kinda tough when you only have 1/2" of exposed ramrod to grasp with your thumb and pointer finger.
You may have also noticed in the literature that many riflemen carried a "wiping stick" in addition to their ramrod.

[David Rase]

I  make all of mine 1/2" or 1"past the muzzle. Easier to draw. My guns are so cool to look at you never get done looking clear to the muzzle to even notice the ram rod.

Your doctor needs to let you get back into your shop and away from your keyboard.  Your brain has got to be hurting from all the advice and observations it has been dishing out this past month.
David

[Mike Brooks]

I  make all of mine 1/2" or 1"past the muzzle. Easier to draw. My guns are so cool to look at you never get done looking clear to the muzzle to even notice the ram rod.

Your doctor needs to let you get back into your shop and away from your keyboard.  Your brain has got to be hurting from all the advice and observations it has been dishing out this past month.
David

That's a fact Jack...... I'm trying to p[ick up some engraving work so I can get out of the house.

[Top Jaw]

The question about it effecting accuracy would be a good Bevel Brothers experiment for M Blast.  Or maybe they have done that one already.  It seems logical to think if it was longer, the escaping gas and air dynamics against the rod might impact the ball flight. Someone can pass it on if you know them. 👍

[hanshi]

Ramrods that are just flush with the muzzle are often difficult for me to pull out especially when my hands happen to have prb lube on them.  I have a couple like that but mostly mine extend 1/2" or a bit more beyond the muzzle.

[diamante]

http://ibb.co/ftXspv
Match shooters from the 1930's probably Southern Ohio at Bill Large's range. That's Bill kneeling second from right. Most of these match rifles have their loading/wiping rods extending out of the barrels.

[Clark Badgett]

The bayonet does not affect the accuracy of a rifle, it affects the point of impact because it changes the harmonics of the barrel

Ed

I don't think anyone said they decreased accuracy, just affected ball flight.

[JNG3]

Amazing picture Diamante, thanks for sharing it.

[Mike Brooks]

http://ibb.co/ftXspv
Match shooters from the 1930's probably Southern Ohio at Bill Large's range. That's Bill kneeling second from right. Most of these match rifles have their loading/wiping rods extending out of the barrels.

All of those look like range rods sticking out of the bore, not sticking out of the ram rod pipes.

[diamante]

http://ibb.co/ftXspv
Match shooters from the 1930's probably Southern Ohio at Bill Large's range. That's Bill kneeling second from right. Most of these match rifles have their loading/wiping rods extending out of the barrels.

All of those look like range rods sticking out of the bore, not sticking out of the ram rod pipes.

You are correct Mike. A lot of the matches back then required the rifles have a "provision" for a ramrod.

[JBJ]

Having the range rod in the bore may have been a visible indicator of a "safe" condition for the rifle. ??
J.B.