Ruger Old Army compitition

[Frank44]

What kind of compeditive shooting can you do with a ROA? What configuration is the most popular, and works the best: sights, barrel length, finish, and grips. Thans.
Frank

 

[Blizzard of '93]

I've checked on the SASS competition - adjustable sights (revolvers- but don't know why, there were some models that had)aren't allowed and there's some question whether ROA's are allowed at all.
same with 'cowboy action' but ROA's are out - has to be an 'authentic repro of original'.

 

[Dave Rosenthal]

What kind of compeditive shooting can you do with a ROA? What configuration is the most popular, and works the best: sights, barrel length, finish, and grips. Thans.
Frank

The Ruger Old Army can be used in any informal or BP League Competition at most active clubs that have a pistol competition. Any barrel length, set of grips, finish, sights, etc. is acceptable in this informal atmosphere. The League that I just shot with yesterday is a fine example of this style of competition. A really terrific bunch of people that are there to have fun and be safe while doing it. We teach and learn from each other in a very friendly style, with a little "chop-busting" thrown-in for good measure! We loan each other equipment and supplies and encourage newbies to participate by loaning them everything they need to get started

This type of competitive commaraderie is what Leagues thrive on. No it's not run by some sort of NMLRA rulebook or SASS rulebook which would dissallow this or that. You just show-up and shoot what you brought! We have divisions for both single-shots and revolvers. In rifles we have divisions for PRB's as well as Conicals and even BPCR .45-70 types.

As to what configuration most of the League competitors use for the Ruger: Stainless model with standard 7.5 or 8 inch barrel length, grips that come stock with the gun, and adjustable target sights. The adjustable sights are to even the playing field with the single-shots using PRB's that also have them :hmm:

May you be blessed with finding such a nice arrangement. One way to to this is to put some flyers in a retail establishment that sells BP supplies...you might just be able to form your own group!

Dave

 

[rebel727]

I've checked on the SASS competition - adjustable sights (revolvers- but don't know why, there were some models that had)aren't allowed and there's some question whether ROA's are allowed at all.
same with 'cowboy action' but ROA's are out - has to be an 'authentic repro of original'.

ROA's are allowed in SASS and CAS. Revolvers with adjustable sights are allowed in modern class.

 

[prowler]

I've checked on the SASS competition - adjustable sights (revolvers- but don't know why, there were some models that had)aren't allowed and there's some question whether ROA's are allowed at all.
same with 'cowboy action' but ROA's are out - has to be an 'authentic repro of original'.

I have been shooting SASS for over 15 years now and while I don't want to stir the pot too much, a couple of things need to be addressed. I started the SASS program at my home club and was the Territorial Governor for many years. SASS has many different classes, as many as ten or twelve in big matches, in which to shoot. In all cases, the type of sights on revolvers are a determining factor. A fixed sight revolver can shoot in the traditional class, or in the case of BP pistols, possibly the frontiersman or plainsman class, or any other class. A pistol with adjustable sights is required to shoot in modern class, regardless of type of powder shot. I have been shooting ROA's without adjustable sights for years in SASS, including the Nationals. There is no requirement that the guns be exact replicas, just representative of the period. Ruger Vacaros are the mainstay of SASS shooting. They are not a copy of anything, just a close approximation of the period. The whole idea of SASS is to shoot what you brought and have fun. NCOWS, National Congress of Old West Shooters, on the other hand, does have a bit stricter set of rules. However, most of their rules apply to dress code as opposed to guns. Their guns do need to fall into certain period catagories and are a bit more restrictive than SASS.

In all cases, SASS and NCOWS make their own rules. If you want to play their game, you must play by their rules. SASS is much more open in its rules, since their period scenarios also include the "B Western" movie periods.

Prowler
SASS Life 5231

 

[FishDFly]

For those who shoot paper competition I have a question which maybe more old wives tale than fact.

I have heard that one chamber in the cylinder will be more accurate (group better) than the others, thus some shooters number their chambers and just shoot that chamber in matches. Or do you load all 6 chambers at one time for the match?

Thanks

RDE

 

[Dave Rosenthal]

Richard,

I too have heard of this...one of the League's pistoleros was talking about trying it, but then gave up on it when he realized that he'd be there all day trying to shoot 13 balls, and he'd have to mark or tape something to the "Best Chamber". He decided not to be a "Gamer" and make the rest of the League wait for him to shoot!

Sunday our League Chairman used his Uberti 1860 Army Colt to start his NRA Pistol Qualification Match for Sharpshooter. Shooting strong-hand only, he put 2 balls (out of 13)into the X-ring of a B-19 target at 50 yards! They both came from different chambers in the same cylinder, within the first 5 shots taken! To say that he was "ON" that day would be an understatement!

Dave

 

[FishDFly]

smokin.50,

Thanks, that's kind what I thought. I have seen people use a Dremel Tool to number the chambers on their pistols.

With all the variables in revolver loading and shooting, I did not think one chamber could be that much more accurate than the other 5.

But then again, there are lots of things that I do not understand, i.e., where does the one shoe on the side of the road come from?

Thanks

RDE

 

[Classicballistx]

The "gold standard" of revolver accuracy is a higher goal to attain than with any other sort of gun with one barrel. Can you name another case of multiple chambers with one breech and one muzzle?

Making six perfectly alike holes in one piece of steel is just the beginning. Putting them in perfectly the same place by way of a pawl and lock like we see on revolvers takes a lot of attention to detail. The issues of consistency and precision that put six holes in perfect alignment with one are staggering, which is why it is so rarely done.

The work-arounds of chamber, breech, throat, bore, and muzzle configuration that allow less than perfect (and it is in 98% of cases) timing are the gunsmith's way of overcoming things he just can't practically accomplish otherwise. Properly done, the result is an accurate and consistent revolver. And it sometimes looks like magic. Perfect timing is quite rare, but near perfect timing has to be there for the foregoing to work.

When a revolver is used as a single-shot, odds go way up for consistency and odds go way up for accuracy, but then you have to question the extent to which such a measure is necessary, and why.

If pretty good accuracy (say 5 minutes of angle measured at 50 yards) can't be accomplished out of six shots in succession, that gun is probably not intended to hit and kill or hold the 10-ring. It is for something else, say engagements within 10 yards with targets that don't threaten or keep score in any way other than being hit.

The practical limits of load development and tuning are matters of subjective value, just as is the value of reasonable accuracy. Folks choose guns all the time that aren't accurate for reasons of their own. Folks who are left with no other resort to get accuracy from a revolver than to use one chamber have chosen a single shot.

Wisent

P.S. I forgot to add that that is why accuracy shooters using blackpowder revolvers shoot Rugers or A/W's or MaxMatches.

 

[Russ T Frizzen]

One chamber is often less accurate. It easier and more practical to mark this one and use it as your safety chamber. I know a number of folks who do this.

 

[Jim/OH]

The Ruger Old Army is quite popular in the National Competition of the NMLRA at Friendship, IN. Some even modify them extensively, but a lot are shot nearly stock. Maybe aftermarket grips and a little trigger work, but other than that they are stock. I see both blued ones and stainless steel. Although I too have heard the tail of one cylinder being better, I could not prove it on my revolvers. It is better to mark a cylinder if you think it may not be as good since National Competition will only let you load 5 shots anyway. Just leave the "BAD" one empty if you think you have one that is not up to par. Hope this helps, Jim