I got out to the range today, but I ran out of time when the guy who rents our farm land stopped by.
At least I got
some smoke made.
Here's how full a chamber was with 20grs. by volume of Goex FFFg.
I know Rugers like .457" ball, but figured I might as well try some others too.
This is a .451" swaged ready to seat on the loading tool.
Seated
Some posters commented on the possibility of a chain fire with the rear of the cylinder turned down.
I prepared for that somewhat by loading one chamber with powder and ball, and then did the others with just powder and a wad. No chain fire occurred then or at any other time.
Used regular Remington #10 caps.
All shots were at 25 yds. I swabbed the barrel between cylinders full. The cylinder gap is tight enough that I occasionally lubed the cylinder face with Ballistol so it was easier to cock the action.
The first cylinder was .451" swaged over 20 grs. Goex FFFg. Four rounds were within 2 or 3 inches with the fifth one a good four or five inches from center. Looked unimpressive so didn't bother with a picture.
The second cylinder I reduced the powder charge to 17 or 18grs by volume of the same powder.
When loading 20 grs on the first cylinder I had to bear down fairly hard when seating the ball so they didn't drag on the barrel face. The cylinder gap is tight.
This is the target from the second cylinder using the slightly reduced powder charge and a swaged .454" ball. The remaining two shots were 3 or 4 inches further away, but these first three show promise.
The third cylinder was the reduced powder charge using a .457" ball from Track of the Wolf that were cast by Rush Creek. The group was centered but a good 6"-8" in diameter - nothing I wanted a photo of. Looking at those cast ball it's safe to say multiple molds were used - I think they'd be fine for general plinking but here I'm trying to see what the revolver is capable of.
The trigger on this thing is fantastic - crisp with no creep. I'm looking forward to an extended range session - initial results are very promising. One of the first things to do is measure and weigh a number of the .457" ball before the next testing. Also want to see what 15 grs powder will do.
I wondered if this gun might have been put together by Hamilton Bowen - so I emailed pictures to him and asked. He said the rear sight is a Bowen but they did not do the work. He suggested Alex Hamilton in Texas who I have also emailed. He already replied and said it wasn't him either - but that it could be something special the factory did. He also related that when Bill Ruger was alive he had lots of special, one of a kind, guns built. The frame on this thing dates from the early 1980's, but who knows what the actual lineage is.
If people are interested I'll provide more range results.
