I walked into the local gun shop….

[hoz53]

I shot the Rossi at the new range today. I have a project! Factory “Cowboy Action” 250 grain cartridges @ 750 fps (written on the box) combined with open sights gave me a shotgun pattern at 50 yards. I’m waiting on bullets so I can reload for it. I think I’ll get a peep sight too. Played with the elevation a little. The high clusters were the first shots at the lowest orange dot, then more as I moved the ramp. Felt like shooting a 22. Finally got it “zeroed in”.

View attachment 1630223View attachment 1630224View attachment 1630225

wowser — made it to new range and shot new gun all the same day— good job!!
those levers arent always the most accurate guns. i dont like to scope them but gotta see some sights somehow. sometimes i do just to test accuracy. is that gun made to shoot .452 bullets? i almost bought a 45 colt smith a month or so ago just to shoot up some bullets i have. looks like ur having fun with it anyway

 

[joshb]

Yup! We’re getting some nice weather. Going into the 80’s by the weekend. Spent 2 days cutting the grass and cleaning up the yard. Figured I deserved some fun. I put a 3-9 on the 44 Magnum Marlin. With cheap plated 240s, it’s shooting a 6” group at 100. I’ll try some jacketed in that and try to tighten it up.
The Rossi is a different animal. I’ve been reading a bunch of posts on Cast Boolits from guys that own them. Hotter loads should help, but it may also do better with .453-4 hardcast. I have a box of 500 250 grain .452s coming, along with some Starline brass. I’ll see if they do better moving faster.

I never expected this gun to shoot 1 inch groups @100. I figured I could work up a fairly accurate load for relaxed plinking and such. I’m not scoping this gun. It takes me back to simpler times.
I had a new 6.5-55 and my Tikka 6br on the bench shooting some test loads. The 6br is driving me nuts with lite loads giving my hard bolt lift. I’m chasing down all the usual suspects. I was shooting the pistol carbines while barrels cooled.
I have to say that it sure was a pleasure not having to deal with other shooters. No worries or distractions from blasters or newbies. I could walk to my targets anytime I wanted. I could get used to it!

 

[joshb]

Rossi R92 45 Colt reload test: As always, reloads shoot better! My bullets came in so I put together some reloads with 250 grain plated from Everglades and A#9. I shot a few groups before I realized I was wearing safety glasses, not my prescription glasses. Stupid me! Red target stickers are 6” diameter.

 

[joshb]

 

[Kracken McGraw]

View attachment 1630721

I wouldn’t want you shooting at me with it!

 

[joshb]

I wouldn’t want you shooting at me with it!

I wouldn’t dare shoot at a fellow upstanding Texan like you!
To say I was worried I bought a lemon is an understatement! I’m very relieved, now.
I’m going to reload the same batch and wait until my new Garmin chrono gets here.
Those heavier loads and the metal buttplate were a little uncomfortable. I might settle on the lighter end.
I had feeding issues with the short factory loads. I increased the C O L to 1.65 inches and it fed much better.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

I wouldn’t dare shoot at a fellow upstanding Texan like you!
To say I was worried I bought a lemon is an understatement! I’m very relieved, now.
I’m going to reload the same batch and wait until my new Garmin chrono gets here.
Those heavier loads and the metal buttplate were a little uncomfortable. I might settle on the lighter end.
I had feeding issues with the short factory loads. I increased the C O L to 1.65 inches and it fed much better.

Glad it’s shooting for you. You can make it your’s now with good hand loads.

 

[ronsatspokane]

I wouldn’t dare shoot at a fellow upstanding Texan like you!
To say I was worried I bought a lemon is an understatement! I’m very relieved, now.
I’m going to reload the same batch and wait until my new Garmin chrono gets here.
Those heavier loads and the metal buttplate were a little uncomfortable. I might settle on the lighter end.
I had feeding issues with the short factory loads. I increased the C O L to 1.65 inches and it fed much better.

Yeah, those hotter loads can start feeling like 44 mag through a lever gun. My brother has a couple of those and they are not that pleasant to shoot, especially the hotter loads. With the 45 Colt when you are tossing 250 grains down range it does not take much powder for the experience to become uncomfortable at the higher end.

 

[joshb]

Yeah, those hotter loads can start feeling like 44 mag through a lever gun. My brother has a couple of those and they are not that pleasant to shoot, especially the hotter loads. With the 45 Colt when you are tossing 250 grains down range it does not take much powder for the experience to become uncomfortable at the higher end.

I know a guy that can whack that steel buttplate off and put a good recoil pad on it. I guess it’s supposed to make the gun “period correct” but I don’t think I’ll lose any collectors value by removing it. I looked for a slip on pad but I can’t find on small enough.

 

[Uncle Bruce]

I wouldn’t dare shoot at a fellow upstanding Texan like you!
To say I was worried I bought a lemon is an understatement! I’m very relieved, now.
I’m going to reload the same batch and wait until my new Garmin chrono gets here.
Those heavier loads and the metal buttplate were a little uncomfortable. I might settle on the lighter end.
I had feeding issues with the short factory loads. I increased the C O L to 1.65 inches and it fed much better.

 

[jcm800]

If your getting any leading try Hitek coated. Missouri coated usually run .001 over the advertised size.
Looks to be coming around, congrats.

 

[joshb]

If your getting any leading try Hitek coated. Missouri coated usually run .001 over the advertised size.
Looks to be coming around, congrats.

I’m using double struck thick plated bullets. I’m not seeing any leading but thanks for the tip. At 20 cents a bullet, they’re fairly inexpensive.

 

[danny]

Yeah, those hotter loads can start feeling like 44 mag through a lever gun. My brother has a couple of those and they are not that pleasant to shoot, especially the hotter loads. With the 45 Colt when you are tossing 250 grains down range it does not take much powder for the experience to become uncomfortable at the higher end.

Wouldn't heavy .44 Magnum and .45 Colt loads through handguns be worse, recoil wise than through a rifle, even if the rifle had a steel buttplate, or am I missing something? I have fired .357 Magnum and .44 Magnum through rifles and handguns. .45 Colt I have only fired in handguns.

Danny

 

[hoz53]

I’m using double struck thick plated bullets. I’m not seeing any leading but thanks for the tip. At 20 cents a bullet, they’re fairly inexpensive.
View attachment 1630904

looks like that thing is shooting pretty good these days. mabie time to try it on a couple those hogs you guys got down there! sometimes i put my cheater glasses over my safety glasses to see my scope adjustments then i wonder y my scope image git so blurry--Duh--wonder about that 6br. (wat the load-pm).
mabie cases a little long- ive put together a 243 from parts i had around but can see no reason for it over 6br- just using 243 to wear out brass i have and use up some miscellaneous bullets-its a 1/2 " gun at 100 though.

 

[joshb]

Yes, recoil is milder in the heavier rifles. The extra weight helps but the rifle directs the recoil backward. A lot of the recoil in a handgun rolls up. I’m loading the 45 Colt round to near 44 Magnum loads. A younger man with more muscle probably wouldn’t be bothered by it, but that steel butt plate isn’t pleasant on this 68 year old shoulder. I’ll find a load that’s accurate but not painful.

 

[ronsatspokane]

Wouldn't heavy .44 Magnum and .45 Colt loads through handguns be worse, recoil wise than through a rifle, even if the rifle had a steel buttplate, or am I missing something? I have fired .357 Magnum and .44 Magnum through rifles and handguns. .45 Colt I have only fired in handguns.

Danny

What Josh said.

I had a TC Contender years back in 44 mag. Also had a Ruger Super Blackhawk. The Blackhawk rolled up in your hand due to the grip being well below the axis of the bore. The TC came back more and rolled up less. Could never tighten the scope down enough on that TC to keep it from moving. Got over those boomers and now I loathe to own anything more than a 10mm or 357 mag in a pistol. The 45 in the Schofield is loaded a lot lighter than even 357 and I'll be shooting the same loads in the 1885. One of the reasons (besides recoil) being that I don't want hot loads for the rifle and lighter ones for the pistol because I don't want family or friends grabbing the wrong box to load their Colt or Uberti single action. A hot load will blow them up.

 

[ronsatspokane]

I know a guy that can whack that steel buttplate off and put a good recoil pad on it. I guess it’s supposed to make the gun “period correct” but I don’t think I’ll lose any collectors value by removing it. I looked for a slip on pad but I can’t find on small enough.

I had three model 94's. One in 32 WCF with a steel buttplate, one in 30-30 with a recoil pad and one in 45 Colt with a hard plastic buttplate. The 32 and the 30-30 were pre-64's and the 45 was one of the well made Japanese guns. I gave the 32 to my nephew (it was a family gun) and I kept the 30-30. That 32 would bring a tear to your eye before you finished a box of ammo. The 45 I sold because I was stupid.

 

[danny]

Yes, recoil is milder in the heavier rifles. The extra weight helps but the rifle directs the recoil backward. A lot of the recoil in a handgun rolls up. I’m loading the 45 Colt round to near 44 Magnum loads. A younger man with more muscle probably wouldn’t be bothered by it, but that steel butt plate isn’t pleasant on this 68 year old shoulder. I’ll find a load that’s accurate but not painful.

My experiences with pistol cartridges in a rifle were .357 Magnum in a Marlin lever action back in the 80s and a Ruger 77 of some sort, maybe a 77/22 based action, I am not really up on it. The Ruger was a .44 Magnum that some guy let me shoot at the range. I doubt that either had metal buttplates. I really enjoyed shooting the Ruger.

Danny

 

[joshb]

I’ve shot and tested the gun some more. I settled on 20.6 grains for the 250 grain bullet. I’m getting around 1700 fps and getting used to the gun. A lot depends on how I put it in my shoulder and hold the gun. The load is comfortable with a good hold and accurate “if I do my part “. Funny to be happy with a 3” group at 50 yards! I loaded up 200 rounds today. More practice needed!

 

[Rubberduckie]

I walked into sportsmans warehouse few weeks ago on my way home from work. Wasn't looking to buy anything. Just wanted to relax before going home from a long day in the office. Sure enough I found something I couldn't live without. A ruger 77/357. I have wanted one for years but never see them for sale. It was used but looked new. Also grabbed a bottle of h110 and some 158 grain bullets. Took it out last weekend just to try it out with cheap 38special loads and a suppressor. Fun to shoot. Quiet and light too. Trying to talk myself into using it on my javelina hunt next weekend.