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Post by magman on Nov 15, 2015 13:58:48 GMT -5
Still waiting on my 97. It's over 11 months. Also still waiting on the Barranti holster for it.
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diddle
.30 Stingray
Posts: 470
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Post by diddle on Nov 15, 2015 13:59:46 GMT -5
I am fortunate to have, among a battery of S&W's, USFA's and Colts, several stock Rugers, some FA's and a few custom Rugers. The custom lock work on my custom Rugers (Bowen and Clements) is better (IMHO) than the FA -- they are lighter, slicker and just as crisp and positive. BUT, neither will shoot with the FA's. My Clements conversion is the most accurate "Ruger" I have, but all of my FA's are more accurate. But ... all of them are very good. For me, FA gets the nod for overall functionality and accuracy. The Ruger customs get the nod for buttery feel and looks. FWIW.
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Post by mnimrod45 on Nov 15, 2015 15:27:53 GMT -5
mnimrod45 You can work around the "short" cyl on the .45 Colt M97. There are plenty of bullets available that crimp normally at 1.600" OAL. You can always seat/crimp over the front dr band on SWCs or up the ogive on ohter nose profiles. You can also trim brass, a process I avoid at all costs. Couple of examples: 1. 270gr RCBS SAA seated deep, and crimped over the front drive band over a charge of 8.0gr of HP38/WW231. Load is accurate and clocks a little over 900 fps from my 4 1/4" M97 2. 300gr LFNGC (from MT Bullet Works), seated to 1.595" OAL and crimped along the front ogive over a charge of 21.5gr H110 w/CCI 350s, chonos right at 1,150+- fps from both my 3 1/2" and 4 1/4" guns. Never had a problem with crimp jump (my dies provide great neck tension) and the little 3 1/2" shoots this bullet amazingly well. 3. 300gr (315gr actual) RCBS SWCGC seated to crimp normally will be just below the face of the cyl. If crimp jump is worrisome, you can crimp over front drive band. I've done it both ways. This bullet is one of the most accurate I've run across in the .45 Colt. 4. 300gr Lee FNGC dual crimp grove seated and crimped in the top crimp groove, accurate and powerful. Many other possibilities. FWIW, Paul Paul105, Thanks for the info. That 300 grain LFN load looks just like what I was planning for the gun. I have always also liked that 270 SAA bullet. Since I still haven't gotten off my butt to cast (I know blasphemy) I will be buying bullets. I have tons of them from Laser Cast I bought many many years ago and still haven't used since I have found bullets I like a lot more that don't have bevel bases. I will eventually use them all up though. I buy most of my bullets from Montana Bullet Works or Beartooth. I have bought some rifle bullets from Bull Shop in the past as well. I don't need to make the gun a cannon, it will be warm enough with a 300 grain at 1100 or so in such a small gun. Thanks again, Mark
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Post by savit260 on Nov 28, 2015 18:37:33 GMT -5
Well, I found myself a 5 1/2" 97. Tricky proposition as finding one in state was the easiest way to acquire one. (Mass. laws are nuts). Gun appears clean with just the expected carbon rings on the cylinder. Caliber is 41 Mag, which wouldn't have been my first choice, but the price included dies and about 400 cast Keith style bullets.
Now the bad.
After getting it home, and finding the proper size screw driver to remove the base pin, this thing is leaded up more than any gun I've ever seen in my life !!! Been working on it for over an hour now with a lead away cloth and only have one small spot I can't get out. Going to let it soak for a while in solvent, and then try again. If that doesn't do it, going to let it soak overnight.
Not having an easy to remove base pin CLEARLY has it's drawbacks!! Shame on me for not insisting he pull the base pin for me to inspect before I bought it, but it looked so good otherwise.
Now I just need to find either some factory ammo or some brass and give it a whirl. Hoping the one small lead spot left will bust free.
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diddle
.30 Stingray
Posts: 470
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Post by diddle on Nov 28, 2015 18:42:32 GMT -5
I assume the leaded spot is in the bore. If so, just wrap a bronze brush in Chore Boy (or bronze wool -- NEVER steel wool) add a little solvent and wipe it right out.
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Post by savit260 on Nov 28, 2015 19:22:34 GMT -5
I assume the leaded spot is in the bore. If so, just wrap a bronze brush in Chore Boy (or bronze wool -- NEVER steel wool) add a little solvent and wipe it right out. Yup, in the bore. Finally broke it free. Lot's of Lead Away cloth used up, but it's looking good now. Started on it around 5:30 Eastern Time and it's finally clean !! Wow, what a mess that was. Should have taken a "before" and "after" pic. Going to finish cleaning it up and hopefully post a pic or two.
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Post by Encore64 on Nov 28, 2015 19:36:42 GMT -5
One of the finest, if not the finest revolver ever produced. Your effort will be worth while.
I still have it in the plans to add a 41 Magnum & 44 Special to my collection.
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Post by savit260 on Nov 28, 2015 20:40:56 GMT -5
Well, I've heard good things about the 41 Mag, so I'm interested in giving it a whirl. I'm just glad I was able to find one in my preferred barrel length in Massachusetts! It's very difficult to bring one in from out of state. Here's a pic from the seller. Looks even more spiffy now it's all cleaned up. Tried to take my own pic, but not having any success with the indoor lighting.
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Post by Encore64 on Nov 28, 2015 20:43:16 GMT -5
Exactly the same model I have in 45 Colt, including the black Micarta grips. Believe you have a fine gun there. Congratulations....
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Post by rjm52 on Nov 28, 2015 22:12:53 GMT -5
Savit..I notice you said "Now I just need to find either some factory ammo or some brass and give it a whirl." What ammo did you shoot out of the gun..or was it leaded up and you were now just cleaning it...
What it sounds like is someone fired original Winchester or Remington 210 Lead Semi-wadcutters out of it...they will lead up anything in one cylinder full. 210 grain soft swaged bullet at 950 fps and didn't have a gas check...
If you want to take a run up to NH when I get back home you would be most welcome... I have a little .41 hanging around...
Bob
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Post by rjm52 on Nov 28, 2015 22:30:21 GMT -5
Hunting wise...the "little" .41/4.25" is going for deer next week. It will be backup to a Ruger Frontier .358 with cast bullets but the 97 will sit in my lap and if a deer comes within 40 yards it will get first crack...over 50 then the rifle gets first... 40 to 50..just depends. Load for the 97 is a 220 Speer JSWC-SP at 1300fps...
Next trip out west, the 6.5"/.327 will be the designated Jack Buster...
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Post by savit260 on Nov 28, 2015 22:54:01 GMT -5
I haven't shot anything through it yet. Just purchased it second hand today. After getting home with it , I pulled the base pin, and found the lead mess inside the barrel (again , shame on ME for not having the seller pull the base pin and remove the cylinder to take a peek in the barrel at the time of sale)
It came with 400 Keith style 220gr LSWC sized at .410 with a Rielly's price tag on it. No other info on the bullet. I'm assuming that must be what the previous owner was shooting through it with 2400 (according to the seller)
Just tried the bullet in the chamber throat and it pushes through with very little effort.
My suspicion is that a .411 might be a better fit. Those.410 bullets with 2400 velocity is probably the culprit here.
So as of yet I haven't fired anything through it. Figured if I got a box or two of factory ammo, that would get me shooting, and then I'd have some brass to work with for reloading. A set of dies was also included in the sale.
I may just take you up on that offer if you're not way up in the North Country! Much appreciated! I'm close enough to the N.H. boarder to smell the freedom.
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Post by rjm52 on Nov 29, 2015 9:12:28 GMT -5
You may want to put a caliper on those bullets to make sure they are really .410. My two FA .41s will not let most cast bullets just pass through... I have to go to a .409 die before I can get most loaded ammo to even chamber. I get no leading at all in my guns...
I'm in Rochester just 22 miles north of the Portsmouth Traffic Circle...have two ranges we can shoot at...will be home in about two weeks.
Bob
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Post by rjm52 on Nov 29, 2015 9:16:58 GMT -5
...also...real Keith bullets will not work in a .41 unless one deep seats the bullet and crimps over the forward driving band. Really the wrong bullet for a 97...
Bob
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Post by savit260 on Nov 29, 2015 10:22:08 GMT -5
You may want to put a caliper on those bullets to make sure they are really .410. My two FA .41s will not let most cast bullets just pass through... I have to go to a .409 die before I can get most loaded ammo to even chamber. I get no leading at all in my guns... I'm in Rochester just 22 miles north of the Portsmouth Traffic Circle...have two ranges we can shoot at...will be home in about two weeks. Bob My folks live up that way, so I'm actually in that are somewhat regularly. Really appreciate that offer!
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