doublegunshop.com - home Forums Thread Like Summary - Ramrod Saga

Shooting my one and only 16 gauge SxS muzzle loader (previously discussed), the antique European walnut ramrod slipped out of the gun while it was on the gun cart, got caught between the ground and axle and snapped. I was sick. I took it to Ben Sims out in the Valley, a really outstanding gun restorer who said he could fix it. Left it with him:



I was in a quandary on a ramrod. My barrels are more 13-14 bore having been honed...about .705." A Track-of-the-Wolf 12 bore ramrod would be too big; a 20 bore too small. I remembered what Stan said, dug up a couple of old hickory 1/2" dowel rods I'd been intending to use to fix a chair.....wife threw the chair out. Then found a 5/16" flange nut .625" across the flange in my parts box and an old door knob.... Screwed on the flange nuts, fitted the door knob and Voila a useable ramrod - stout too.



Then thinking about the ergonomics of loading a double barrel shotgun I thought I could shorten the process if I could ram both barrels at once, I concocted this jury-rigged double ramrod and tried it out. It worked, but not easily. I won't make my fortune with it:



I finally discovered Track-of-the-Wolf made a 13 bore ramrod 675" in diameter on the face that would fit the Reilly and ordered it. Quite nice. And Ben got the old one back to me repaired. It will stay in the house. Still Stan's idea of an old door knob is neat and I'll keep the one I made as back-up. (from top to bottom
- Original,
- ToW rod,
- Home-made Stan rod.

Thanks Stan. I have a hollow metal leg from an old folding table that fits the Stan-rod to a "T." I'm going to cut it at an angle, weld up the bottom and I'll have what you've described.

By the way, I used to have a bunch of military blanket-gun slips I had made out in Afghanistan to send Enfields, Sniders and Martini-Henry's (Pashtun Copies) home for the guys from the APO. Gradually over the years I've given most away. Wife stepped in with an old moth-eaten wool blanket and made me several....she calls them "gun-cosy's". Oh well, I needed them - and they certainly have more character than the plastic Dick's sporting goods slips, for short trips to the range:

First time I've seen dishwasher silverware baskets put to use as tool holders. Pretty good idea.

Best, SRH

I would hope no one is shopping at Dicks - they're kind a anti-gun.

Does the TOTW ramrod taper?
I don't want to use the original in my Forsyth in the field, however commercial ramrods will not fit the gun as it tapers and is really pretty thin at the end.
An old fishing rod section might work however, just with a brass jag/tip attached,great idea.
Below are the pouches I use,the canvas one goes on the left of my belt and the ex military pair go on the right.
Over powder and felt wads are pre glued to make things simple.
Powder and shot are kept in commercial quick loaders from TOTW.

The TotW ramrod tapers (see photos above)...It has a screw-on cap covering the wad extractor screw end. It is offered in several lengths and three gauges 12, 13, 20. TotW products are well made...but the 28 1/4" rod is 1/4" too long for my barrels. Without the cap..the rod just fits. The problem, however, is the same I faced with the original rod. If I invert the gun into the cart...the rod has a tendency to slide out:



So now I usually put the rod on the cart separate from the gun...that means the Stan-Rod...with the doorknob has a place at the table.

Argo44,

Since you are a muzzleloader as well as a cartridge guy, you might like a cart like this. It has a tray up high where you can put reloading/cleaning supplies, score card, etc. I use this for long range muzzleloading and Creedmoor BPTR.

Rifles ride muzzle up, but more vertically than in the baby jog carts. Big wheels are a must for unpaved ground. Being able to hold a rifle horizontally is advantageous for breechloading rifles. Probably not a big thing for shotguns though.



It also collapses, and the wheels come off with lynch pins.



the space in front of the rifles is used with a fitted wooden box that serves to haul ammo (165 rounds in my case) and other supplies and lunch. It serves as a pretty decent stool too.

Nickel dispenser which Friend gave me is tiny....will dispense 4 nickels but won't work with 1/8" wad. Still, it's metal and maybe a little better looking than the plastic one...it often will dispense two overshot cards at a time which can be an advantage. Both are keyring type and could dangle off of about any equipment: