.32 calibers & ramrods

[Black Jaque Janaviac]

I'm thinking of building a .32 caliber for plinking and squirrels.

But my experience with a previous .32 has me a bit nervous.  I had a Pedersoli that had a 5/16" ramrod.  The rods kept breaking on me.  So I got one of those brown rubbery rods (oh the shame!).

After a few years, the muzzle eroded so badly that I couldn't hit a squirrel 10 feet away!

Was it the rubbery rod?

Or was it the snug fit of the 5/16 inch ramrod? 

In other words, would I have experienced the muzzle wear had I stuck with 5/16" wooden ramrods?  The 5/16 makes for a just-barely fit in the .32 bore.  No room for a muzzle protector.  Any sand on the rod will surely abrade the bore.

[Dave K]

I personally find that the 5/16" rod is a little snug for a 32. for the very reasons you mentioned. I am sure that the rubbery rod didn't do you any favors at all. Get a good straight grained hickory rod for hunting and a good stainless rod that is smaller than 5/16" for plinking. Yes, don't forget the bore muzzle. I have the same problems with a 40cal. To me, the 3/8" rod is just too snug to be used in that cal. Your mileage may vary.

[northmn]

I used 1/4 inc rods in my 32's.  Some of the synthetic rods played havoc with muzzles unless used with a bore guide.  You can get 1/4 muzzle tips and accessories now.  You also might go a strong 1/4 inch by sanding down a 5/16.

DP

[wvmtnman]

I second the "good straight grain hickory" rod.  I copied a rifle a couple years ago.  The original was a .36 but I made mine a .45 and used a 5/16 rod.  It worked fine until I sold it.  When loading, only have you hand about 8 - 10 inches up from the muzzle when pushing down a ball.  Takes a little extra time but when in the woods a few more seconds is worth saving the hunt.
                                                                         Brain

[Black Jaque Janaviac]

Well when I had the Pedersoli, I did use a 1/4 brass range rod and bore guide, but generally I use metal rods for cleaning and getting myself out of trouble.  I like to shoot "off the body".  I've learned that a good routine avoids dry-balling.  Something as different as reaching to the bench for a ramrod can throw me off especially if I'm shooting with a friend who is asking questions.

So it appears that the recommendation is to go with a 1/4" hickory rod.  Now, can you find a kit that has a 1/4" ramrod channel.  I tried the 1/4" rod with the Pedersoli and it would fall out of the channel.

[Don Getz]

I would scrape down a 5/16" rod to maybe .275, or thereabouts, then follow Brians advice above, take short strokes when pushing that ball down..........Don

[Pete G.]

I don't think that you will find a kit with 1/4" rr channel, but if you follow the rule of thumb to allow 1/2 of the rod to be exposed, you are looking at a depth of only .125". I would not think that a 5/16" radius in the channel should be noticable, although you should be really careful with the location of your pipes.

[Daryl]

Don's point about the .29" hickory rod is a good one.  My pipes are 5 1/6" and will be loose with a smaller rod, so I'm using a 5/16" hickory.  There is hickory, and there is hickory. Gotta be straight grained.  I've a couple I'm 'saving' for hunting.

I find the .32 to load so easily, that I don't have to choke up on the rod for it as much as my larger bores using 3/8".  I have been using a steel 5/16", but am concerned about bore damage - some.  The 5/16" steel rod is a snug enough fit, as to centre very well and not scrub the muzzle, in any event.  I do like the weight of the 38" long steel rod in the gun, but might go with a 9/32" if I could find one and put some sort of tightener in the hole or on the rod, itself - just a ring of brass or something to centre it and take up the slack in the rod hole.