Revolver suggestions & questions?

[Bowhunter57]

I'm considering the purchase of a BP revolver for hunting varmints. I like the open framed revovlers, but wonder if they're as accurate as the closed frame revolvers. Namely, the Walker has always intrigued me.

However, accuracy is the name of the game, for hunting purposes and the closed frame Remington style revolvers may be more of what I'm looking to purchase.

Varmint hunting shots, for the most part, are inside the 30 yard mark. I'm hoping to attain 1 1/2" groups on sand bags at 20 to 25 yards. Ofcourse, while hunting that type of accuracy will be up to me to maintain.

What would you suggest, in .44 caliber?
An open framed Walker, a Remington style closed frame or some other model/style?

Your opinions and experiences are appreciated.
Thank you, Bowhunter57

 

[crockett]

I have a Colt Navy, 36 caliber. I use FFFg black powder. I weigh all the charges, I've marked a spot on the loading level so all balls are seated to the same depth, I use a wonder wad between the powder and the ball. I dovetailed in a front sight I filed a square notch in the hammer. If I shoot from sandbags at 25 yards I can pretty much get 2 1/2" groups all day. In my experience that's good accuracy, a lot of modern firearms won't do any better. By "pretty much I may have 4 shots in 1 1/2" another at 2 1/2" and maybe a flyer every 12- 18 shots at 3-4". Maybe every fourth cylinder full I put them all in 1 1/2".
The Remington is supposed to be more accurate. A lot of events are won with Remingtons but that may be because more shooters simply use Remingtons.
For varmits (unless you are including mountain lion, I think the Navy 36 is fine, a lot of lawmen used it on two legged varmits.

 

[Zonie]

If I were to choose one pistol that stands out in quality and accuracy it would be the Ruger Old Army.
This pistol was dropped from production so about the only place to find them is at gun shows or dealers who deal in used guns.
The ROA came in both a "fixed rear sight" which used a groove in the frame like a Remington and in a model with a fully adjustable rear sight.
It is a .45 caliber pistol that uses .457 diameter balls.

If I couldn't find a ROA, my next choice would be a Pietta "Remington New Model Army Target Revolver. This is a Remington style pistol in .44 caliber with a fully adjustable rear sight.
Although it doesn't show up in Dixies 2008 catalog, it does show up on their website.
TARGET MODEL LINK
It might be a good idea to call them to see if the pistol is still available before ordering it.

The Walker is a nice pistol and is steeped in tradition.
It can be loaded with very hot loads and it's heavy weight (4 1/2 pounds) tames all recoil.
It's one weak point is the sights.
Like almost all of Colt's guns, the hammer has a notch in its lip that serves as the rear sight.
While this is fine on my Walker which shoots to the point of aim, many have found that their pistol doesn't and there is no way of adjusting it.
A possible option would be to have a gunsmith install a very small adjustable rear sight on the rear of the barrel and install a taller front sight to go with it.

 

[PRM]

Ditto the Navies - Got a pair of 51s and a 62 Pocket Police and 62 Pocket Navy (all 2nd Generation Colts). Accuracy is good and the .36 is plenty big enough for most jobs. Tried and true for well over a century and a half.

I do have a 3rd generation Walker and would not hesitate to use it on deer or a hogs. Lots of ummph in that one. Mine shoots dead on - no complaints

 

[Russ T Frizzen]

I believe that I'd go with the Walker. Once you've learned to shoot it, it will get the job done at the ranges you describe, and it has enough punch to stretch those ranges quite a bit if you are up to the task. And if you are ever attacked by a wounded and irate woodchuck, you'll be glad you have the Walker in your hand!

 

[44-henry]

Don't overlook the dragoons if you are looking at Colt style pistols. The one big problem for me with the Walkers is the fact that with full charges the loading lever often drops down. Some shooters actually put rubber bands on the lever to keep this from happening. The dragoons have the loading lever catches on them and don't have this problem, plus they are still quite powerful.

 

[mykeal]

I'm gonna weigh in with Zonie on this one, at least as far as the first choice. The Ruger Old Army is head and shoulders above all the rest. Try Gunsamerica.com or Bud's Gun Shop.

My second choice, however, would be a Rogers & Spencer revolver, available from Euroarms distributors like S&S Firearms.

After that, I'd agree with the Remington '58 Army.

The Dragoons and the Walker are fine guns, lots of fun to shoot, but heavy to carry around just for varmint hunting. I guess I'd recommend a '51 Navy over the big 'horse pistols'.

 

[Russ T Frizzen]

A few quick strokes with a file on the lever catch will cure the dropping lever problem, should it occur. I've never had the problem with my Colts, and the problem, which only appeared after years of use with my Uberti, took about six gentle file strokes to fix.

 

[Russ T Frizzen]

Depends on which varmints are being hunted. For coyotes I think I'd definitely want the Walker's extra power and range. I know some folks are bothered by the Walker's heft, but I've never found it to be a problem. It's less than 2 pounds heavier than a Colt Navy or '60 Army or the Remington. The Rogers and Spencer is about a pound and a half lighter than the Walker. The Ruger is right in the same range. And they all give up a lot of punch to the Walker. With the holsters that are available, the Walker's so-called weight disadvantage becomes less of a factor if indeed it ever was one. Learn to shoot it and it will do things the others simply can't.

 

[Poor Private]

I agree with first Zonie and then Mykeal. You can't go wrong with a ROA (if you can find one). And like Mykeal my next choice would be the R&S.
I have seen used ROA at gun shows anywhere from $400 and up to $500+ depending on accessories and condition.

 

[Bowhunter57]

Thank you, for the replies, gentlemen!

I agree that the Ruger would be an excellent choice and I used to own one...several years ago. It was more accurate than my 1860 Army, but it was an unknown "cheaper" brand of revolver.

I'm not recoil sensitive or concerned about the carry weight of this revolver. The Desert Eagle that I own is the most heavy, awkward handling and incombersome handgun that I've ever used.

I would prefer adjustable sights, but with the open framed revolvers it's just not possible. I have a good friend that is an Olympic black powder handgun competitor and he says that the Remington style revolver is the most popular with those shooters, for accuracy. He says these guys have several hundreds and/or thousands wrapped up in one handgun, sometimes and they'd be shooting Walkers if they were more accurate.

I'm still looking as there's 124 shopping days left, until x-mass. :barf:

Good hunting, Bowhunter57

 

[Russ T Frizzen]

These target shooters use very weak loads in their Remingtons to get the kind of accuracy you've heard about. For some reason they never mention this. Once they go to the kinds of loads you will need to use for varmint work, they are no longer getting the same kind of accuracy that they brag about.
Using my Walker just as it came from the factory, I can kill tin cans consistently at 80+ yards and hit them most of the time at 100 yards. With my tuned Remington I can't do this with any reliability past 50 yards. Loaded with a wussy powder charge the Remington is quite accurate at 20 yards. It will shoot a 1" group off the bench. My Walkers, inaccurate old clunkers that they are, can only manage a 1 and 1/2" group at this range. 'Course that's with 55 grains of FFFg in those chambers. I wonder what the Colts would do if I fitted them with adjustable rear sights like the Ruger has? Might be worth keeping them around after all... :v

 

[mykeal]

...Olympic black powder handgun competitor...says that the Remington style revolver is the most popular...for accuracy...have several hundreds and/or thousands wrapped up in one handgun....

Just a thought: If you had hundreds or thousands wrapped up in your Remington, would it still be a Remington?

 

[brubincam]

----I have seen open top colts with a rear sight on the rear of barrel-----

 

[Bowhunter57]

----I have seen open top colts with a rear sight on the rear of barrel-----

rubincam,
Do you mean Colts or Colt replicas?

I ask because I've seen Uberti (Colt replicas) with a rear "v" notch at the back of the barrel and a front bead, BUT those were cartridge revovlers. www.uberti.com/firearms/army_navy_conversion_and_open_top.php

Sights on the rear of a Walker would be nice.

Good hunting, Bowhunter57

 

[brubincam]

-----sorry ---replicas-----

 

[Russ T Frizzen]

...Olympic black powder handgun competitor...says that the Remington style revolver is the most popular...for accuracy...have several hundreds and/or thousands wrapped up in one handgun....

Just a thought: If you had hundreds or thousands wrapped up in your Remington, would it still be a Remington?

Good point!

 

[Russ T Frizzen]

Real ones had them too--especially the Dragoons. Back in the day revolvers were modified any number of ways to fit the owner's needs. Some of the big guns were fitted with detachable stocks and the sights were very useful then.

 

[JackAubrey]

The only thing I don't like about my Walker is when firing, the loading lever tends to come down and slip into a chamber, effectively locking up the cylinder.I remedied the situation by tying a thin leather strap around the barrel,lol!Now I prefer my 3rd model dragoon.It has a much more positive loading lever lockup and about the same power.If you do happen to wear either of these revolvers on your hip it may be prudent to invest in a sturdy pair of suspenders so the weight of the guns do not pull your breeches down!

 

[Blizzard of '93]

there is a BP revolver venue in Olympic shooting/handgun competition? news to me. it would tickle me pink if there was though.