drag the Ruger old army out to day

[lonewolf5348]

Well the only problem with my ROA is not shooting it but cleaning it.
I ran about 50 RB threw yesterday at the 20 to 25 yard range with 35 gr. triple 777 3F .
Group average 2" 2 hand hold unsupported
I did find it did excellent with out a grease cookie top
The 35 Gr. and a wonder wad and ball that it
I like shooting the ROA but cleaning it is a whole different ball game.
I also drag out the thunder hawk 50 Cal. by t/c
My load 3F triple 777 90 Gr. and the 325 buffalo ssb bullet/sabot all 3 shots inside a half dollar at 75 yards about 2" over center.
I was surprise about the recoil I added a thicker pad and it id improve a lot.
O well this gun never changes point of aim so back in the safe until a rainy day in the BP hunting season.

[bronko22000]

Lonewolf. I always wanted one but seems like such a hassle shooting 5 or six shots then going thru that tedious loading process. I would be nice if you had a half dozen extra cylinders so you could load them all up at home then just cap them at the range. And then, like you said, the cleaning. Sounds like it too would be a hassle.
Also, reading your post - did you not put anything over the ball? If so, that could be a dangerous situation. Isn't the reason for the top wad or grease so as to seal the cylinders so you don't get a spark into the adjacent cylinder possibly setting it off.

[lonewolf5348]

ROA shoot .457 the ball seals itself but I do use a wad over the powder

[cayugad]

I used to hate cleaning the black powder cap and ball revolvers. But since I changed over to Jim Shockey Gold 3f powder, it really has gotten a lot better. I load that powder and use a natural castor oil solid lube to seal the cylinders. I find come cleaning time, I take the nipples off the back of the cylinder, the wood grips off the handle and them make up some good hot dish water using grease free Dawn. Then I take the bore brush cleaning brush for my muzzleloaders and use that in that hot water to scrub the cylinders and the bore of the revolver. In no time at all I have all the fouling off it, and the grease and powder residue is all gone. An old tooth brush cleans up the nipples real good.

Then I rinse the thing in real hot water and kind of shake it dry. After that I spritz it with isopropyl alcohol, wipe it all dry, and then oil it back up..

Without argument these revolvers are a PITA to clean. But they sure are fun to shoot. Lonewolf.. sounds like you have a real good shooter.

[lonewolf5348]

I here some say to remove the grips boil some water and add dawn to it and drop the whole gun into the hot water ,Then oil
I most of the time will strip the complete gun every 6 months (winter time project re lube internal)

[RobertSubnet]

Without argument these revolvers are a PITA to clean. But they sure are fun to shoot

My ROA is fast becoming a safe queen for this very reason. Some interesting ideas on cleaning here, I will have to try sometime. That pistol is a lot of fun to shoot, it is a shame Ruger stopped making them.