RAM ROD question - The Firearms Forum

questor · 09-28-2009, 03:43 PM

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This week I attended a Maryland Department of Natural Resource (DNR) hunter qualification shoot. Maryland has a lottery for one day prime deer hunting on Federal & State Government property. A few of these hunts require the applicant being certified yearly. The certification for muzzle-loader is two out of three shots unsupported into a 9" plate at 40 yards. Shotgun is 3 out of 5 at the same distance.

My question: Prior to the qualification shoot, if shooters needed to sight-in their weapon, the line support team required them to keep their ram rod in the weapon while shooting. Their statement: it will make the gun more stable and accurate.

Is this true and if so why?

Thank you,

Joel Lehman · 09-28-2009, 05:11 PM

The ram rod in or out of the rifle won't make it more stable. You need to carry a ramrod while hunting, so why not carry it with the rifle? You may need a sturdier ramrod than some of the factory makes. I like solid brass for ramrods with short, 28 inch barrels. For longer barrels, some of my friends use good hickory or aluminum ramrods.

Joel Lehman, Austin TX

johnlives4christ · 09-28-2009, 06:16 PM

wont make a differance

mrkirker · 09-29-2009, 06:28 AM

It will make no difference in the firearm's accuracy.

Replacing the rod in the firearm can potentially place hands and fingers in the danger zone at the muzzle's end of a loaded weapon, so great care should be taken during this process.

army mp · 09-29-2009, 07:07 AM

I can not see where it would make any difference. They don’t fit that tight. And I use a fiber-glass rod so its not giving you any more Barrel weight.

questor · 09-29-2009, 12:07 PM

As all of you have posted I can't see how it would make a difference, but when in Rome do as the Romans.

johnlives4christ · 09-29-2009, 02:08 PM

what you could do is find several old ones and after loading "forget" to take the rod out of the barrel and before they can say anything, shoot it down range

jjmitchell60 · 09-29-2009, 05:18 PM

It will make a difference IF you have a habit of doing as some OLD TIME BP target shooters would do. I have seen then tie a bag of lead balls to the end of the ram rod to weight the end of the gun down so as to get a steadier hold. That is teh ONLY reason I would say the ram rod in or out would make a difference. I have several of my flinters with ram rods that stick out at least 3 inches past the end of the barrel for ease of cleaning.

Bottom line IMHO those that say it maakes no difference are correct, I see no reason why it would make it more accurate.

armedandsafe · 09-29-2009, 07:49 PM

The only difference it will make is in the weight and balance of the rifle. I have tried the brass rods in the field and find them heavier than I like. I've used the carbon, aluminum, commercial hickory and homemade hickory. I like all but the brass in the field. I do carry a brass one for use on the range.

The habit of replacing the rod into the hangers is extremely important. Some old timers used to stick the rod into their belt. You don't want to shoot the rod down range. What is even more emparassing is to get out and about and find you left the rod back where you last pulled up your pants.

Pops

old semperfi · 09-29-2009, 08:05 PM

although i shoot a lot of black powder,i have six pistols and rifles both inline and caplock.i also shoot tactical rifles,my target is a one inch square at 100 yards.normally i can keep them all in that one inch square.this is with a 223,308,300 win mag.all guns are same,with same scopes and same canjar triggers.trigger pulls are set at approx 14 ounces.in order to shoot consistant groups all must stay the same.same amount of pressure on trigger,same hold on gun.any variation ANY will cause bullet path to change.it is so if you shoot a 22 or a 50 cal black powder.if you hunt with the ram rod in then you need to shoot with it in.all must be consistant.i know this may sound anal but to be the best shot you can be it needs to be done old semperfi

quigleysharps4570 · 09-30-2009, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by old semperfi

my target is a one inch square at 100 yards.normally

You shoot that with your blackpowder rifles with iron sights too?

old semperfi · 10-01-2009, 09:23 PM

dont understand,i answered question but it didnt post.i have two inlines that will shoot one inch or less groups,but that is only if i measure charge and bullet weight with my electronic powder measure and these two have scopes 4x12 power with adjustable objective .

Joe M · 10-16-2009, 11:04 PM

The ramrod in or out will not make any difference in one's accuracy. The barrel is pinned and/or wedged to the stock. The ramrod is merely a passanger. If the RR is being used as part of the rifle's support then the rifle is not made correctly.

It is always a good habit to get into by replacing your RR once you've finished loading. There is far less chance of it ever getting damaged, or misplaced on the ground, or left in the bore, if you get into the habit of returning it to it's channel.

I would also recommend not using a fiberglass RR unless it is used with a muzzle guide protector. Fiberglass will ruin your muzzle as fiberglass reacts to metal the same way as a file does, just a bit slower.

Trek Jeff · 11-29-2009, 10:41 PM

Again no difference. They may be just getting you into the habit of keeping the ram rod where it belongs and not to think of it as an accessory.

scrat · 11-30-2009, 10:36 PM

Wont make a difference. HOWEVER. i do agree with some of the guys here. i have a 42 inch ramrod i take with me to the range. The ramrods that came with the guns stay on the guns. So they never get abused or anything. its easier to replace a long after market range rod than the original that came with your gun.

09-28-2009, 03:43 PM	#1
questor V.I.P. Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Slickville, Pa Posts: 388	RAM ROD question . . This week I attended a Maryland Department of Natural Resource (DNR) hunter qualification shoot. Maryland has a lottery for one day prime deer hunting on Federal & State Government property. A few of these hunts require the applicant being certified yearly. The certification for muzzle-loader is two out of three shots unsupported into a 9" plate at 40 yards. Shotgun is 3 out of 5 at the same distance. My question: Prior to the qualification shoot, if shooters needed to sight-in their weapon, the line support team required them to keep their ram rod in the weapon while shooting. Their statement: it will make the gun more stable and accurate. Is this true and if so why? Thank you, --> Last edited by questor; 09-28-2009 at 05:31 PM..

09-28-2009, 05:11 PM	#2
Joel Lehman Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 22	Re: RAM ROD question The ram rod in or out of the rifle won't make it more stable. You need to carry a ramrod while hunting, so why not carry it with the rifle? You may need a sturdier ramrod than some of the factory makes. I like solid brass for ramrods with short, 28 inch barrels. For longer barrels, some of my friends use good hickory or aluminum ramrods. Joel Lehman, Austin TX

09-28-2009, 06:16 PM	#3
johnlives4christ Former Guest Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Kentucky Posts: 3,828	Re: RAM ROD question wont make a differance

09-29-2009, 06:28 AM	#4
mrkirker Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 3,067	Re: RAM ROD question It will make no difference in the firearm's accuracy. Replacing the rod in the firearm can potentially place hands and fingers in the danger zone at the muzzle's end of a loaded weapon, so great care should be taken during this process. __________________ *I don't know if dogs have a heaven, but there will be dogs in mine.*

09-29-2009, 07:07 AM	#5
army mp V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: western Pa, Posts: 479	Re: RAM ROD question I can not see where it would make any difference. They don’t fit that tight. And I use a fiber-glass rod so its not giving you any more Barrel weight.

09-29-2009, 12:07 PM	#6
questor V.I.P. Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Slickville, Pa Posts: 388	Re: RAM ROD question As all of you have posted I can't see how it would make a difference, but when in Rome do as the Romans.

09-29-2009, 02:08 PM	#7
johnlives4christ Former Guest Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Kentucky Posts: 3,828	Re: RAM ROD question what you could do is find several old ones and after loading "forget" to take the rod out of the barrel and before they can say anything, shoot it down range

09-29-2009, 05:18 PM	#8
jjmitchell60 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Raised in Buzzard Roost near Frog Town in hillls of Kentucky Contributor Posts: 1,471	Re: RAM ROD question It will make a difference IF you have a habit of doing as some OLD TIME BP target shooters would do. I have seen then tie a bag of lead balls to the end of the ram rod to weight the end of the gun down so as to get a steadier hold. That is teh ONLY reason I would say the ram rod in or out would make a difference. I have several of my flinters with ram rods that stick out at least 3 inches past the end of the barrel for ease of cleaning. Bottom line IMHO those that say it maakes no difference are correct, I see no reason why it would make it more accurate. __________________ Oath Keepers NOT ON OUR WATCH www.oathkeepers.org 2nd Amendment to the US Constitution: A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed. "Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote." -- Benjamin Franklin When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes Duty... Thomas Jefferson

09-29-2009, 07:49 PM	#9
armedandsafe Former Guest Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Moses Lake, WA Posts: 10,344	Re: RAM ROD question The only difference it will make is in the weight and balance of the rifle. I have tried the brass rods in the field and find them heavier than I like. I've used the carbon, aluminum, commercial hickory and homemade hickory. I like all but the brass in the field. I do carry a brass one for use on the range. The habit of replacing the rod into the hangers is extremely important. Some old timers used to stick the rod into their belt. You don't want to shoot the rod down range. What is even more emparassing is to get out and about and find you left the rod back where you last pulled up your pants. Pops

09-29-2009, 08:05 PM	#10
old semperfi Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: i live in southern indiana,old country boy at heart Posts: 1,506	Re: RAM ROD question although i shoot a lot of black powder,i have six pistols and rifles both inline and caplock.i also shoot tactical rifles,my target is a one inch square at 100 yards.normally i can keep them all in that one inch square.this is with a 223,308,300 win mag.all guns are same,with same scopes and same canjar triggers.trigger pulls are set at approx 14 ounces.in order to shoot consistant groups all must stay the same.same amount of pressure on trigger,same hold on gun.any variation ANY will cause bullet path to change.it is so if you shoot a 22 or a 50 cal black powder.if you hunt with the ram rod in then you need to shoot with it in.all must be consistant.i know this may sound anal but to be the best shot you can be it needs to be done old semperfi

10-01-2009, 09:23 PM	#12
old semperfi Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: i live in southern indiana,old country boy at heart Posts: 1,506	Re: RAM ROD question dont understand,i answered question but it didnt post.i have two inlines that will shoot one inch or less groups,but that is only if i measure charge and bullet weight with my electronic powder measure and these two have scopes 4x12 power with adjustable objective .

10-16-2009, 11:04 PM	#13
Joe M V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Nebraska Posts: 52	Re: RAM ROD question The ramrod in or out will not make any difference in one's accuracy. The barrel is pinned and/or wedged to the stock. The ramrod is merely a passanger. If the RR is being used as part of the rifle's support then the rifle is not made correctly. It is always a good habit to get into by replacing your RR once you've finished loading. There is far less chance of it ever getting damaged, or misplaced on the ground, or left in the bore, if you get into the habit of returning it to it's channel. I would also recommend not using a fiberglass RR unless it is used with a muzzle guide protector. Fiberglass will ruin your muzzle as fiberglass reacts to metal the same way as a file does, just a bit slower. __________________ Joe Last edited by Joe M; 10-17-2009 at 06:12 AM..

11-29-2009, 10:41 PM	#14
Trek Jeff V.I.P. Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 51	Re: RAM ROD question Again no difference. They may be just getting you into the habit of keeping the ram rod where it belongs and not to think of it as an accessory. __________________ "What country can preserve it's liberties if their rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance. Let them take arms." (Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, Dec. 20, 1787, in Papers of Jefferson, ed. Boyd et al.)

11-30-2009, 10:36 PM	#15
scrat V.I.P. Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 86	Re: RAM ROD question Wont make a difference. HOWEVER. i do agree with some of the guys here. i have a 42 inch ramrod i take with me to the range. The ramrods that came with the guns stay on the guns. So they never get abused or anything. its easier to replace a long after market range rod than the original that came with your gun.