your right Pahoo you should not have to .
but the simple fact is that in alot of cases you do . its wood and wood swells and shrinks.
if the stock was even little on the high side of % of moisture when the RR hole was drilled , that hole will also be a little smaller then what was planned . add in a lacquered rod and things can get to tight quick .
Same goes for alittle dirt or grim , if it gets down in there .
If it goes in and out with resistance , its not going to take a lot . Most likely just a few passes with 150 or 200 grit would probably do it
No need to make things more complicated then it really is
Has nothing to do with a good rod or not . It has to do with the fit of the rod and if it fit’s the hole . A very good hickory rod , that’s been properly chosen and finished will be much stronger and limber then a poor one . Of that there is no doubt . But its still wood and thus will do what wood does . Not to also mention if its not properly fit for the hole , its still going to be to tight .
As I said , a lot of the original rifle loading rods were tapered not strait as they often are today . In some cases depending on the gun , they could be drastically tapered like those on fowling pieces.
I now and then still make custom rods as well . but most i make now are eather made of rose wood or ebony for high end guns .
every now and then someone will ask for a good hand made hickory rod for something or the metal cored loading rods
So it still comes down to two choices. He is either going to have to enlarge the hole which would include cleaning out anything that maybe wedged down in there OR reduce the size of the rod .
yes making a simple sanding rod will also work .
keep in mind though that sanding also tears the grain of the wood and thus makes it more subject to moisture and swelling . thats one of the resons i chose to use a scraper vs sanding paper when i can .
but again he probably doesnt need to take all that much off so a couple passes with a flapper would also probably do it . just move it in and out with a steady motion . be carful becouse if your set up is to lose , the paper can wad up , come off or jam itself down in the hole and then you will have to get that out of there