New Favorite Gun: Ruger Old Army – WOW!

[Bumpy Rhodes]

Some of you know I am new to blackpowder, this ROA is my first (other than the BPCR that I use with smokeless). I am absolutely shocked at the accuracy! I am an ex-competitor, now I have fun buying guns and testing them to see what they can really do.

I have had this for a couple months and put about 100rds through it. I had to make a new taller front sight. It was 50 deg and sunny today, and an artic ballast is forecast, highest temp in the next 2 weeks is 31! Today was my last chance to test it for the next month or two.

#1 group, 25y, slightly high, 5 shots in 1.9”, with a low flyer at 2.3”.
#2 group, 2 clicks down, 5 shots in 1.4”, low flyer at 2.6”.

I ran a #56 drill through the nipples, most were clear, a couple were crudded.

#3 group, 6 shots in 1.9”!!!

This thing shoots as good as my S&W 629 V-Comp and my STI Steelmaster with optimized loads!!! And they have red dots on them!!! This stupid ROA shoots better with iron sights than 95% of modern guns with optics!!!!!

Again, I am new to all this, any I would appreciate any suggestions you experienced guy might have. Here are my previous threads about me and this ROA if you are interested. Thanks!!!

https://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/...kpowder-old-to-smokeless.188647/#post-2760330

https://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/threads/new-ruger-old-army-–-need-help-dialing-in.188913/

 

[Bumpy Rhodes]

 

[D Yager]

I've haven't put mine on paper but I have achieved minute of jackrabbit at around 75 yards. I been using a semi wadcutter for a .45 ACP. The bullet is knurled between 2 crosscut files so they will fit the Ruger chambers. Enough Pixie dust in the chambers to seat the bullet just below the chamber mouth. A bit of lube over the bullet nose and it's good to go.

 

[CyrusP]

Haha!!! You’re hooked and you’re not getting off easy!!!

Welcome to the addiction. No known cure.

 

[Old Shepherd]

Bumpy Rhodes,
I am very pleased for you, that you got your Old Army dialed in. I have had one since the summer of 1979. I have carried it so much it is missing a lot of its bluing and the grips are worn. From the time it was new it shot well with both round balls or conical. I have even loaded the cylinder with 15 grs of 3F, then a paper over powder wad and equal amounts of #8 shot covered by a wad. That will shoot just as well as .38 Spl shot capsules. I think they are wonderful revolvers. Enjoy it Sir.
Old Shepherd

 

[[email protected]]

Like to find one of those rare 'Horse Pistol' versions for sale someday.

 

[Dexterado]

I've haven't put mine on paper but I have achieved minute of jackrabbit at around 75 yards. I been using a semi wadcutter for a .45 ACP. The bullet is knurled between 2 crosscut files so they will fit the Ruger chambers. Enough Pixie dust in the chambers to seat the bullet just below the chamber mouth. A bit of lube over the bullet nose and it's good to go.

75 yards is a very long shot with a handgun of any kind. That’s some good shooting.

 

[Dexterado]

View attachment 372335

I like the historically correct pistols, but there’s just nothing that compares to the ROA’s. I love mine. It’s the fixed sight model, and I can shoot it all day with no issues whatsoever. And it’s stainless, so cleanup is a breeze.

 

[Bumpy Rhodes]

I like the historically correct pistols, but there’s just nothing that compares to the ROA’s. I love mine. It’s the fixed sight model, and I can shoot it all day with no issues whatsoever. And it’s stainless, so cleanup is a breeze.

Is there anything wrong with removing the grips and washing the assembled receiver? I blow the water out of the action and sights with an airgun then put it somewhere warm to dry, then oil the action and sight. Any potential probs? I think all the parts and springs are stainless.

(I ultrasonic the cylinder.)

 

[FishDFly]

Try the following with a .457 ball and a 6 o'clock hold.

25 yards-- 22 grain 3F and 17 grain Cream Of Wheat

50 yards --25 grains 3F and 13 Cream Of Wheat

Lube on top of the ball.

Shooting shot is a waste of time with a rifled barrel, the rifling scatters the shot which blows open the pattern.

 

[Bumpy Rhodes]

Try the following with a .457 ball and a 6 o'clock hold.

25 yards-- 22 grain 3F and 17 grain Cream Of Wheat

50 yards --25 grains 3F and 13 Cream Of Wheat

Lube on top of the ball.

Shooting shot is a waste of time with a rifled barrel, the rifling scatters the shot which blows open the pattern.

Thanks, but I'm too lazy for that level of complication!

I'm pretty happy with this load! Sub 2" @ 25y, I can't shoot well enough, even from a bench, to ever be able tell if I actually found a more accurate load.

 

[Dexterado]

Is there anything wrong with removing the grips and washing the assembled receiver? I blow the water out of the action and sights with an airgun then put it somewhere warm to dry, then oil the action and sight. Any potential probs? I think all the parts and springs are stainless.

(I ultrasonic the cylinder.)

That’s what I do. Warm water, and dawn. I wash everything good, and stick it in the oven on low temp for about a half hour, then oil up the cylinders, barrel, and other moving parts. Put the grips back on, and good to go. Been doing it that way for years.

 

[D Yager]

Another way is to pack the innards with hi temp wheel bearing grease. Cleanup becomes much easier, clean the barrel and cylinder as usual, wipe down the frame, good to go, Detail strip once a year, re grease and go for another year.

 

[M. De Land]

Is there anything wrong with removing the grips and washing the assembled receiver? I blow the water out of the action and sights with an airgun then put it somewhere warm to dry, then oil the action and sight. Any potential probs? I think all the parts and springs are stainless.

(I ultrasonic the cylinder.)

The base pin, hammer cam and ratchet star do last better with grease not just oil for lubrication. The gun needs disassembly to properly grease these areas unless you pump the lock works full to keep fouling out.

 

[Old Shepherd]

Is there anything wrong with removing the grips and washing the assembled receiver? I blow the water out of the action and sights with an airgun then put it somewhere warm to dry, then oil the action and sight. Any potential probs? I think all the parts and springs are stainless.

(I ultrasonic the cylinder.)

That is how I have done it for years except the ultra sound.
Old Shepherd

 

[Old Shepherd]

Try the following with a .457 ball and a 6 o'clock hold.

25 yards-- 22 grain 3F and 17 grain Cream Of Wheat

50 yards --25 grains 3F and 13 Cream Of Wheat

Lube on top of the ball.

Shooting shot is a waste of time with a rifled barrel, the rifling scatters the shot which blows open the pattern.

I take it that you have never tried shooting shot yourself, just parroting what someone else said. I carried 3 chambers with shot and 3 with ball all the time when I used to Elk hunt. Shot more than my share of grouse over the years. The pattern opens up after about 15 to 20 feet. Inside of that my load is a meat maker. It performs on par with CCI shot cartridges out of a .38Spl as well as a .44 Spl. Plus you have the ability to shoot larger shot, just not as much.
Old Shepherd

 

[Smokerr]

I go with 45D and D Yager on the grease in the action.

If I was going to clean the innards if they needed it, I would disassemble it completely and blow and heat dry after, then seal it with grease.

Water can get trapped and stainless will rust.

 

[M. De Land]

I go with 45D and D Yager on the grease in the action.

If I was going to clean the innards if they needed it, I would disassemble it completely and blow and heat dry after, then seal it with grease.

Water can get trapped and stainless will rust.

I take it that you have never tried shooting shot yourself, just parroting what someone else said. I carried 3 chambers with shot and 3 with ball all the time when I used to Elk hunt. Shot more than my share of grouse over the years. The pattern opens up after about 15 to 20 feet. Inside of that my load is a meat maker. It performs on par with CCI shot cartridges out of a .38Spl as well as a .44 Spl. Plus you have the ability to shoot larger shot, just not as much.
Old Shepherd

I've not used shot loads in my percussion guns but they sure work great from Speer shot capsules out of a model 29 , 4 inch rifled barrel.

 

[Bumpy Rhodes]

I go with 45D and D Yager on the grease in the action.

If I was going to clean the innards if they needed it, I would disassemble it completely and blow and heat dry after, then seal it with grease.

Water can get trapped and stainless will rust.

I'm assuming that you guys that grease the action do not allow it to get wet. So, do you just scrub the bore with soap and water then wipe down the rest of the frame?

I would imagine that if water got mixed in to the grease inside, it might corrode where the droplets are against the metal and cannot evaporate because they are trapped by the grease.

Please do not take this as an argument, I just am trying to understand, I am new to this. Thanks!

 

[45D]

I'm assuming that you guys that grease the action do not allow it to get wet. So, do you just scrub the bore with soap and water then wipe down the rest of the frame?

I would imagine that if water got mixed in to the grease inside, it might corrode where the droplets are against the metal and cannot evaporate because they are trapped by the grease.

Please do not take this as an argument, I just am trying to understand, I am new to this. Thanks!

No, no water in the frame. Just clean the cylinder and barrel as per normal. Just a damp patch to clean up around the breech and hammer/hammer slot. A wipe down with Ballistol will protect your revolver.

Mike