For your consideration: I have a T/C Cherokee & Seneca. Sweet little rifles but the ram rods are just plain delicate. I've used them both without incident, but I just feel like my ham handed nature is going to break 'em. I've pulled the originals and set them aside just so they will be available should I sell one some time. To replace them, I've purchased some Naval brass rod from MSC. 5/16" brass stock. Comes in 6 foot lengths. Perfect fit in the thimbles. Cut the rod down to ram rod length and cut some light / sharp cornered groves in the end to assist in pulling the rod out of the thimbles. The weight of the brass makes loading so much easier than the light weight wood original. They look good and work better than original. I've also replace those hollow aluminum rods in my larger ML's, too. 700ML., Black Diamond, CVA, etc. Those larger ML ram rods are a perfect 3/8" brass stock. Soft brass rods are cheaper (same page in the MSC catalog), but I intend on tapping the end of my rods so I can use cleaning jags, brushes, etc. The Naval brass is stronger and I'm hoping better suited to threading. Good fit, no rattling in the thimbles, smooth during use. I really like my improvement. Just thought I'd toss it out there.
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