224-32 FA case set back?

[swohiomatt]

The idea of a high velocity 22 single action intrigues me, but a bottleneck cartridge in a single action causes me some concern.  I’m worried about case set back tying up the cylinder.  I’ve Googled my question, but haven’t found much info.

Those of you who own a 224-32 FA, have you had trouble with the cylinder getting tied up?  Did you reach some resolution to prevent it?

As this is my first post, some personal history, I bought my first 454 in the late 80s and became smitten with the cartridge and the gun that fired it.  Nothing matched the build quality of Mr. Baker’s wheelgun.  Many Freedom guns were later acquired in various calibers.  When William Tuttle started FACA, I was an enthusiastic member with a membership that guaranteed me a specific serial number for any club issued guns.  I can’t remember if they were #21 or 23.  I lost my range in the late 90s, new interest consumed my time and eventually all the guns were sold.  Firearm interest was renewed a couple years back and my son also got into the game.  As a former FFL holder with an SOT, I had at one time or another some interesting firearms.  But the Freedom guns were always my favorite and garnered the greatest praise when I’d reminisce with my son.  Such praise and desire can’t be long ignored.  Four Freedom guns have now been purchased and since my residence now includes some 60 acres, I need not worry about a place to shoot.  

So that’s my story, I’m glad to be back and happy to be here.

Matt

[Encore64]

Welcome to the forum...

I doubt setback will be an issue. If it was, Bob Baker would not chamber it in his company's guns.

I'm a huge FA-97 fan. Have bought one or two FA-97S from William after he switched interests.

I've spent most of my revolver career proving bottleneck cartridges work in revolvers if done correctly. You can bet that Freedom Arms will be done correctly.

Again, Welcome to the forum. There are guys on here who know much more than I do. You landed in the right place.

Huey

[45MAN]

BOB BAKER (THE SON) TOOK A 224-32 REVOLVER TO THE YO HANDGUN HUNT ONE YEAR, IIRC HE WAS PUSHING 40gr BULLETS PRETTY DAMN FAST AND I DO NOT RECALL ANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT SET BACK. MAKING BRASS WAS A BIG TEDIOUS PIA THOUGH. CALL BOB AT FA AND DISCUSS WITH HIM.

"I THINK" A MODEL 97 IN 218 BEE, OR, MAYBE BETTER, 218 BEE IMPROVED, WOULD BE AN AWESOME REVOLVER.

[Fowler]

I have shot one of Bob’s guns and it is a hoot. I know I did a double take when Bob told me the velocities he was getting in the gun. There wasn’t any case set back in his gun but then it was also with his hand loads as well.

I do know the making cases is a bit involved and they have to be fire formed ultimately. I remember him saying you wanted to use Federal brass, or at least don’t use Starline brass to start since Starline brass is a lot tougher brass and it is very hard to get the necks to size down properly.

It’s not a gun that I would want to own unless I had a prairie dog town nearby that is wanted to work on often. In skilled hands i think you could reasonably hit them out to 200-250 yards with a scope and rest, the guns are capable of the shooter is.

[gjn]

I have one and just started working with it. I have had no trouble forming brass. I take the decapping rod out of the sizing die and run the brass thru. Then replace it and run them thru again, trim, load and off to the range. I have run into set back issues with clean brass and a clean cylinder. I think I have to be more diligent cleaning all lube off the brass. Once the cylinder was a bit dirty I had no issues. Accuracy was excellent using both IMR 4227 and AA 1680 with Berger 40 grain HP’s or Sierra 40 grain Blitzkings. Only other bullet tried were Barnes 36 grain Varmint Grenades but accuracy was terrible. Mine has a 7.5” barrel and velocities ran between 1900 to 2200 fps. Hope to get out soon and see how it performs on gophers and prairie dogs. If your looking for something different it’s a hell of a lot of fun.