|
Post by Burnston on Dec 6, 2017 9:31:06 GMT -5
Have any of you old hands shared Hugh's experience back in the days of the old model? (I trust that all readers understand that 'old hand' is meant as the sincerest of compliments.)
|
|
|
Post by Burnston on Dec 6, 2017 9:15:55 GMT -5
Speaking as a grandson, that'll become his most cherished posession.
|
|
|
Post by Burnston on Dec 2, 2017 9:06:56 GMT -5
I suspect you have a reason for trying to load a particular load into 38 Special cases and shoot it out of a 357 Magnum? I can imagine a few, but just curious as to why. Possibly due to having one of the old 38-44 S&W revolvers? I take a lot of caution to segregate loads/cases between my FA 83's and Ruger's. I do a fair amount of experimenting with different loads just to chase the perfect load, so I understand needing to try different stuff. My motives are similar to yours. Though I've been handgunning my whole life, I've only recently begun to take it seriously, and even more recently begun handloading, so my issues are very likely rookie mistakes. I recently aquired an OM Ruger BH with a 6.5in barrel in .357 and I've yet to find a load it likes. Wanting a reasonably potent load for woods walking, I worked up to 15gr of 2400 under a 158gr SWC from Missouri Bullet company. Even with my rear sight completely de-elevated, I am shooting six inches high, and extremely erratic all over the upper half of the target at a mere 25 yards. It was for this reason that I dug out an old Skeeter article and read of his experimenting with 13.8 (turns out it was 13.5: Thanks Mr. Taffin) grains of 2400 with a 158gr EK in .38 special cases. I am limited on .357 cases, and have an overabundance of .38 special, so I am open to the attempt. I've not tried any of these yet as I've been unable to get my dies to crimp the .38 special cases, but therein lies my motivation. It also seems, according to some of these appreciated comments, that such an experiment is ill conceived.
|
|
|
Post by Burnston on Dec 1, 2017 14:00:49 GMT -5
You are that council and support for a lot of us. Looking forward to seeing the finished product.
|
|
|
Post by Burnston on Dec 1, 2017 10:10:13 GMT -5
I'm just now realizing something after re-reading this thread. The load mentioned above is for a .357, not a .38 handgun. I'm simply experimenting with .38 cases in a .357 Blackhawk because I read it in a book. I say again, THIS IS NOT INTENDED AS A .38 SPECIAL LOAD!! Sorry for the confusion.
|
|
|
Post by Burnston on Dec 1, 2017 9:53:44 GMT -5
Lots of times people refer to a SWC as a "Keith" style bullet & that's covering a lot of ground. What gun are you planning to shoot those little rockets in? Dick Thanks for all the responses. I suppose it's hard to stick to the pros if you misread what the pros are writing. I'm shooting out of an OM Blackhawk, 6.5in barrel. Now that my mistake on the load has been pointed out, I'll give it another try. To your point, Mr. Thompson, the bullet is advertised as "Keith Style" but it is not #358156 mentioned by Mr. Taffin. I suppose it's called "Keith Style" to make rookies like me think we're getting something. Am I to understand that the above mentioned load is too hot because I'm attempting to use a .38 casing, or is it too hot for .357 as well? Thanks again.
|
|
|
Post by Burnston on Nov 29, 2017 18:42:08 GMT -5
Are you using the spacer ring for .357 while trying to load the .38s ? I have seen guys do this before. No, I removed the spacer ring.
|
|
|
Post by Burnston on Nov 29, 2017 17:40:32 GMT -5
Good afternoon all,
My reloading experience is limited to about a year and a half, so it is very possible this is a simple fix that I'm missing. I've been attempting a load from Skelton's book composed of a 158gr EK style bullet with 13.8gr of 2400 in a .38 casing. My RCBS Dies say .38/.357 but I've been unable to crimp a .38 casing after pursuing every adjustment I know how to make. Advice or alternative suggestions would be much appreciated.
|
|
|
Post by Burnston on Nov 17, 2017 12:25:25 GMT -5
I got on the waiting list for two whenever they were first announced and received both when they finally became available after about a year and a half. It's definitely a typical Ruger action that is best served by a trip to a talented gunsmith. Straight out of the box, it shot great with factory loaded Colts and even better with handloads no less than 255 grains at around 60 yards (I'll omit the powder charges for obvious reasons); I've yet to back it up any farther. My experience has been the same as cited above; accuracy suffers slightly at longer ranges with ACP rounds; both with jacketed factories and home grown lead. However, it has been a delight to experiment with, and Ruger is difficult to match.
|
|
|
Post by Burnston on Nov 12, 2017 8:37:52 GMT -5
A shooting pard' and I traveled up to the Wanenmacher Gunshow in Tulsa Oklahoma yesterday. I walked off with an old model flattop Ruger .357 that I swapped for a Smith model 19-6 and he had profanity thrown at him from a dealer who was asked take a Winchester model 94-10 out of the box to examine it and then not buy it. All of that was only part of the fun. I've had some work done on a Colt SA 3rd Gen .44 Special. I can't possibly describe the difference in "Before n' After," but what used to be a standard conversation pieces is now a tac driver to be proud of, especially when spitting oversized Elmer Keiths cast for me by Fermin Garza. It was hand delivered in Tulsa my Alan Harton; my version of a celebrity worth meeting. I ended up standing there listening to him talk longer than I actually walked the show. Time very well spent, and I learned a lot. Mr. Harton is a class act. I figure on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays I'll call it my Harton Handgun, and then on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays it'll be my Garza Gun. Fermin is responsible for making this happen. I owe him big.
|
|
|
Post by Burnston on Oct 24, 2017 17:00:51 GMT -5
My state recently legalized carrying a black powder revolver with your single shot rifle during primitive rifle season. I have a Richland Arms Co. Walker reproduction that I'd like to carry with my rifle but I have no experience with actual black powder, especially not revolvers. This one seems best suited for .451 lead balls, in spite of the Walker repro's tendency to like .454. My questions are twofold: 1. Can someone recommend a black powder deer load for the Walker? I was thinking 60gr of black powder but could use some advice. 2. I use Hodgdon 50/50 Pyrodex pellets for my modern muzzle loader rifle and I'm wondering if there is a safe way to use the same thing, or other smokeless propellants for the Walker. 1. The Walker was said to be good on "Man or beast out to 200 yards" Back off the 60 gr to 50-55 BP with round ball. How do you know the .451" is best? All mine like a bigger ball of .454" or .457". 2. Pellets often give hangfires in sixguns. I do not necessarily know that the .451 is best, but when I tested various round balls, the .451 was the only ball that seemed it would properly seat in the chamber. The others were all must too large. The former seemed small enough to seat, and just large enough to form the proper seal once loaded.
|
|
|
Post by Burnston on Oct 23, 2017 14:24:04 GMT -5
The revolver is required to be a cap & ball "primitive style" handgun and cannot be loaded with cartridges, regardless of content or style.
|
|
|
Post by Burnston on Oct 23, 2017 13:26:50 GMT -5
My state recently legalized carrying a black powder revolver with your single shot rifle during primitive rifle season. I have a Richland Arms Co. Walker reproduction that I'd like to carry with my rifle but I have no experience with actual black powder, especially not revolvers.
This one seems best suited for .451 lead balls, in spite of the Walker repro's tendency to like .454.
My questions are twofold:
1. Can someone recommend a black powder deer load for the Walker? I was thinking 60gr of black powder but could use some advice.
2. I use Hodgdon 50/50 Pyrodex pellets for my modern muzzle loader rifle and I'm wondering if there is a safe way to use the same thing, or other smokeless propellants for the Walker.
|
|
|
Post by Burnston on Aug 19, 2017 11:17:49 GMT -5
I just turned 31 this last July, so I have a lot of shooting ahead of me. If I may say so, older gentlemen who have been there and done that are as valuable as gold to guys like me. We need you fellers to keep shooting. Otherwise, who am I going to call when I have leading on the right side of my forcing cone with no idea how to fix it. Without veteran shooters I'd have never known my 3rd gen Colt SAA .44spec needed specially cast .433 slugs, which tightened my grouping considerably. There is not a single person my age who could have put me in touch with guys like Mr. Taffin, Mr. Thompson, Mr. Garza, and others who have completely changed my perspective on handgunning. The point is, we younger guys hold our elder pistoliers in high regard. We'd be up the creek with no paddle otherwise. So keep it up, and keep your powder dry.
|
|
|
Post by Burnston on Aug 13, 2017 18:50:27 GMT -5
Finally got the an old Ruger Flat Top I took in on trade. Its a little rough and needs restoration. Case in point, it appears that the ejector rod housing was soldered onto the barrel. It seems the hole was stripped and it would not take a screw so the previous owner did what he could. Do I need to find a replacement barrel or can the barrel be salvaged by an experienced gunsmith?
|
|