Just a pair of Ruger Old Army revolvers...

[The Saint]

Just another pic of a few in the collection, this time a pair of Old Army revolvers. The adj. sight model I've literally a few thousand balls through since I've owned it, and can nail a 6" Shoot-N-C target offhand all day at 25 yards without fail. The other is a first year 1994 fixed sight model that never been fired, and never will be fired. I know you guys out there have some ROA revolvers hanging around, too...so let's see 'em.

 

[joppaj]

Those are gorgeous.

 

[K31]

 

[Alea Jacta Est]

Purdy slick hog legs there fella.

 

[dist1646]

 

[Melnic]

Very nice, not being a cap and ball aficionado, that is the first adjustable sight cap and ball revolver I have ever seen.
My cheap Pietta shoots low but I have never wanted to file the front sight.

 

[Virgil Co.C]

Wish I new / could figure out how to post pictures. Have a fine Colt Walker (replica) that hasn’t been shot and like yours probably never will. Also have army and navy revolvers, (36 &44) . Ya I like BP ,pain in butt to clean . Tinkered with my navy ,springs and little polishing . Shoots great . Was a learning process and a little nerve racking shooting it . Had in back mind messing my hand up but hey I must have did it correct because it is just fine.

 

[j8064]

Those are bootiful Ruger pistols sir! And welcome to the MDS forum. Since you are new you cannot yet access the Water Cooler where Hooligan threads are posted. Become active here and soon you’ll be able to. Out here in Western MD we Hooligans routinely shoot BP in a wide variety of pistols and rifles. Making white smoke is always a ton of fun.

For Virgil: You might reconsider keeping your Walker replica pristine. Uberti replicas are usually available. Walkers are beasts meant to be shooters. And they are definitely fun…

Just a few Walker pics below to whet your appetite.

Enjoy

 

[Muleskinner]

Those are bootiful Ruger pistols sir! And welcome to the MDS forum. Since you are new you cannot yet access the Water Cooler where Hooligan threads are posted. Become active here and soon you’ll be able to. Out here in Western MD we Hooligans routinely shoot BP in a wide variety of pistols and rifles. Making white smoke is always a ton of fun.

For Virgil: You might reconsider keeping your Walker replica pristine. Uberti replicas are usually available. Walkers are beasts meant to be shooters. And they are definitely fun…

Just a few Walker pics below to whet your appetite.

Enjoy

And with ballistics comparable to a .357 mag with a full 60 Grn charge you can hunt with your walker in Md legally if you so desire. It's the only cap and ball that is legal for deer. I regularly carry mine into the woods. I've shot a couple foxes and a coyote with it, I have yet to see a deer within range while I had it with me. That will happen some day.

 

[Virgil Co.C]

I have definitely had the itch to shoot it and also the inclination to hunt with it . I don’t know just haven’t. I want a flintlock next ,think that would be pretty cool .Have a single shot 44 looks like a pirate pistol I guess and easy to clean . Have to get kids show me how to do pictures . ( technically challenged / not much interest)

 

[j8064]

I have definitely had the itch to shoot it and also the inclination to hunt with it . I don’t know just haven’t. I want a flintlock next ,think that would be pretty cool .Have a single shot 44 looks like a pirate pistol I guess and easy to clean . Have to get kids show me how to do pictures . ( technically challenged / not much interest)

There are many ways to shoot BP. Flintlock ignition is fun. Cap and ball rifles & pistols are great. And BPCR’s are awesome.

Don’t know where you’re located but you are welcome to shoot with us Hooligans in Garrett Co anytime.

 

[Batt816]

Wish I new / could figure out how to post pictures. Have a fine Colt Walker (replica) that hasn’t been shot and like yours probably never will. Also have army and navy revolvers, (36 &44) . Ya I like BP ,pain in butt to clean . Tinkered with my navy ,springs and little polishing . Shoots great . Was a learning process and a little nerve racking shooting it . Had in back mind messing my hand up but hey I must have did it correct because it is just fine.

Virgil, if you want to text pictures to me, I can post them for you.

 

[gwfrench]

Bought my Ruger stainless with adjustable sights back in November 1977. Cost $155.95. Haven't shot it yet but want to. I have the conical bullet mould, some of the bullets I cast with it and some .454 round balls a friend gave me. Got GOEX 3F and Pyrodex P, bunch of #11 caps. Powder flask (also from friend) puts out about 30gr of black powder.
Just not sure about whether lubed wads under round ball, or lube over the ball (flash over), or what.

 

[Threeband]

...
Just not sure about whether lubed wads under round ball, or lube over the ball (flash over), or what.

I used to just put a dab of wheel bearing grease over the balls. These days, a lot of people seem to use those fancy lubed wads under the ball.

Either way is fine. No need to overthink it. It really is no big deal.

So what is holding you back? After 44 years, it's time to just load it up and shoot it.

 

[28Shooter]

Very nice OP!

 

[Ptreece]

Very nice! I bet they are fun to shoot!

 

[gwfrench]

For my Ruger 44 Stainless, I have lubed wads (under ball) and 454 balls coming in from Cabela's, Lee dippers already. Going to be at my friends 40 acres next weekend, time to deflower my 44 year old Ruger. Probably start with 30gr of Goex 3F. Finish with 40gr.
I also have 5 of the Colt 2nd generation repros from early 80's. Walker, Baby Dragoon, Pocket Navy, Army, Navy. If I shoot one, it would be the Walker.
I just want to see the smoke.

 

[The Saint]

For my Ruger 44 Stainless, I have lubed wads (under ball) and 454 balls coming in from Cabela's, Lee dippers already. Going to be at my friends 40 acres next weekend, time to deflower my 44 year old Ruger. Probably start with 30gr of Goex 3F. Finish with 40gr.
I also have 5 of the Colt 2nd generation repros from early 80's. Walker, Baby Dragoon, Pocket Navy, Army, Navy. If I shoot one, it would be the Walker.
I just want to see the smoke.

Going to want to go with .457 balls with an Old Army; 454s won't shave a lead ring all the time and almost 100% of the time leave you open to cylinder creep...ask me how I know. 454 conicals WILL work, however I could never get the same accuracy out of them.

 

[dist1646]

Going to want to go with .457 balls with an Old Army; 454s won't shave a lead ring all the time and almost 100% of the time leave you open to cylinder creep...ask me how I know. 454 conicals WILL work, however I could never get the same accuracy out of them.

Out of curiosity, have you measured the mouth of the cylinder and compared it to the bore diameter? I know that some of the old 3 screw .45 LC single actions had accuracy issues due to the cylinder being smaller than the bore.

 

[gwfrench]

Fired my 44 year old Ruger first time today. At 15 yards, the sights were 1 inch high, 1 inch right, a 2.4 inch group, using about 37gr old GOEX 3F, old CVA .454 142gr lead balls that a friend gave me. The cylinders shaved a tiny lead ring from the balls when loading. Used Cabella's lubed wads over the powder.
My old Remington percussion caps (no size on can) are a loose fit on the nipples, had to pinch them on one at a time to stay. The old CVA #11's are very tight, took 2 tries on 4 of the cylinders, couldn't push them down far enough. More elbow grease next time on those caps, maybe a capping tool.

Edit:
Just verified, a manual diagram shows #10 caps (thought I read #11 before). Well, the CVA #11's are really a tight fit, even split one of the caps trying to push it on. May just have to buy some different brands and try them.

Another Edit:
In another place in the manual it says "The suggested cap size for the Old Army revolver is No. 10 or No. 11 (U.S.) or
equivalent."