ROA Info

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rodwha

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I recently acquired a nice ROA from my father's friend. I've been looking for load info and have found so much conflicting information for it.
I've read from Ruger that the max load is what can be stuffed into it. It even gave me the impression that 4f could be used, though I'd be concerned about doing that. I would think the small grains could fall into the nipples.
I've read the max is anywhere from 40-50 grains. Quite the difference.
Does the load need to be reduced when using 777?
Once I feel proficient with it I would like to take it hunting.
I'm certainly chompin' at the bit to get to the range!
 
You probably ought to download the manual from Ruger and go with what it recommends. I've shot many a 35-grain loading of 3F 777 with good results from mine.

4dec10rangewithgil031.jpg

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23oct10ROA001.jpg
 
I've said this before, so forgive me if its repetitive. You can't stuff enough black powder or black powder substitute in an ROA to hurt it. However, more is not always better. I have several cylinders that have been deepened. I can cram about 45 grains of triple 7 behind cast 210-220 gr HP bullets and it makes an excellent spectacle. However, it is not consistent and while very powerful a better load is more like 35 to 40 grains.
They don't lead the barrel and will shoot a thumb sized group if you can.
 
robhof

I've used 4f in my ROA and it shot just fine, the 1st time was when I took my flinter to the range with my ROA and ran out of 3f and still wanted to shoot. My priming flask had enough powder for 2 rounds, using 20gr loads and was very accurate with that load and round balls of .457. Now I wouldn't put a load of 4f down my flinter barrel. but that's not a ROA.:):):cool:
 
Erich, those are beautiful grip panels on your gun.

Are they factory, did you work on them, or what?

Nice pix by the way...
 
Erich: Ruger is sending me a manual. I looked at it online too. It didn't offer any specifics other than it will handle what you can stuff into it.
Do you have any idea what kind of ballistics you were getting with your load?

AbitNutz: I'm curious as to how far you bored into the cylinder. Do you know how many grains it holds with a RB?
What kind of groups were you getting with the heavier loads?
Do you have any idea as to what kind of ballistics you were getting?
I'm mostly wanting this info for hunting. So I want the most power I can get and be accurate enough to shoot to 25 yds at least, and maybe on up to 50 yds. Time will tell how proficient I will be I suppose. Here in Texas the deer are quite small, but we have hogs.

Robhof: I'm wondering how full loads of 4f behaves. I certainly wouldn't want to use it if it does damage over time. I'm more concerned with 777 though, but curious none the less.

J-Bar: Those are nice looking grips...much better than mine. I'm looking at replacements.
 
Rodwha- full charges of 4F will not damage your ROA, but accuracy isn't great. The trouble I had with 4F is that it would pour through the nipples and onto the loading bench. As long as it stays in the chambers, a full charge of 4F should yield around 1000fps.
 
AJumbo: I'm a bit surprised that you didn't get a higher velocity than 1000 fps. With a RB I assume?
I am concerned about getting the 4f powder into the nipples. It seems likely.
I figure I'd be best off using 3f 777 for hunting. But I was given 2 bottles of 3f and 1 2f of Pyrodex. So Pyrodex it is for now.
 
Erich, what knife is that? It looks like it says Kai on the blade (like the Japanese blade manufacturer).
 
David Clements of Clements gunsmithing deepened the cylinders for $50.00
http://www.clementscustomguns.com/home.html
Average increase was about 8 gr of 3F.

Or you may be able to order a whole new cylinder at
http://www.classicballistx.com/
They cost about $200.00 but you are getting a whole new cylinder that have already been deepened and doesn't have the idiot warning rolled in warning. There are some other minor differences. They already have a slight bevel so they load bullets a bit easier. If you shoot RB it doesn't matter but bullets it helps. The cap area is smaller so you have to use Ruger's nipple tool, if you use the stock nipples or a slim conventional tool if you have Treso nipples or the like.

Some pre-production Classicballistx got out a few years ago and they were not the quality they should have been. The new ones however, I like quite a bit. I shot some pretty impressive 25 yard groups I posted previously.
I don't shoot that far too often anymore because I now shoot this pistol exclusively with one hand...like they used to.
 
mine has scrolled in "black powder only" rolled across the cylinder in two places. Looks silly. Then there is the warning on the top of the barrel that I had removed.
The only markings on my ROA on the side of the frame "Ruger Old Army" and the serial number.
 
Mine also has that warning scrolled around the cylinder.
Are the grips the same as both the Blackhawk and Super Blackhawk?
Ruger claims for conicals to use a .454" bullet. But I keep finding people using and recommending .456" molds.
My chambers seem to run from .448-.451". It seems like .456" bullets may be quite a hassle to ram home. I'm wondering if .452" bullets are out of the question, or would give poor results. My barrel seems to be .447-8".
Does anyone have any flat-nosed 180-250 grn bullets/molds they would recommend for hunting with? I don't want to need to use a loading stand.
 
I like the idea of deepening the cylinders a bit. But I have also found one cylinder smaller than the others. I'd like them to all be uniform.
An additional cylinder would be nice too.
I'm also considering (down the road) to do something about the bright stainless finish. Maybe see what a smith can do to make it brushed. My father suggested trying to blue/matte it myself. I love stainless though. As is I don't see it working well for hunting unless I do something.
 
Ruger offered both stainless finishes, the high mirror polish and the satin finish. Except for the SS 5.5" which seem to all have the high polish, not as many high polished ROA's were made as most are satin. Many folks find the high polish 7.5" to be more desirable. I notice that many SS Vaquaros have the high polish finish too.
A call to Ruger customer service will identify the original configuration and features of any particular gun when it left the factory.
 
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I have also read accounts of people casting bullets from wheel weights. Isn't that a bit too hard? Can it damage the loading ram?
 
Yes it puts a lot of stress on the loading lever parts. I use wheel weight lead ALL the time. Use a cylinder loading press if using alloyed lead.
 
I found that I will need old 3 screw Blackhawk grips, but can't seem to locate any online. Any ideas as to where to find them?
And is Classicballistx the only supplier for aftermarket percussion cylinders?
 
Go to a gun show for grips because even the ones that are suppose to fit often don't. Ruger frames have a fair amount of variation.

As far as extra cylinders...yup. When he makes a run.

Also, use a loader anyway....it's less messy and things become more consistent. The only one available is D/D at biglube.com and it's a good one.
 
Is sight height measured from center of bore?
Recommended aftermarket nipples?
 
rodwha, You had asked about bullet molds. What I can say is I use a Lee mold #98384 that I have had since 1983 or so and it drops a 220 gr. round nose at .456 and has two grease grooves. I use 30 - 33 gr. pyrodex p. You can go hotter if you wish, but this load works well for me. Accurate and hard hitting. The ROA is a great shooting firearm, It is as accurate as any revolver I have. I bought it used and have owned it going on 40 years, I'd never sell it. If you plan on hunting with it I would recommend learning the pistols limitations first. Someone with more knowledge can comment on the energy levels the ROA is capable of achieving.

DMH
 
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