|
|
Post by bearskinner on May 22, 2023 19:58:10 GMT -5
If I could only have one handgun for the rest of my days, it would be a FA83, .454. I have killed well over 150 critters with that gun( I have 3) it is just a “killin’ machine” and I can prove it.
|
|
|
|
Post by wyomingnimrod on May 22, 2023 20:27:49 GMT -5
If I could only have one handgun for the rest of my days, it would be a FA83, .454. I have killed well over 150 critters with that gun( I have 3) it is just a “killin’ machine” and I can prove it. Incredible. Wow. Since you have three what are your thoughts on barrel length? And anyone else that wants to weigh in on that please do. I am a middle child in many ways so I have it on order for 6”, but like the looks of 4.75” more (but feel that would preclude future scope usage), and I understand the utility of going longer but cannot bring myself to do so at this early point in the game. |
|
|
|
Post by 500fksjr on May 22, 2023 20:40:53 GMT -5
If I could only have one handgun for the rest of my days, it would be a FA83, .454. I have killed well over 150 critters with that gun( I have 3) it is just a “killin’ machine” and I can prove it. Incredible. Wow. Since you have three what are your thoughts on barrel length? And anyone else that wants to weigh in on that please do. I am a middle child in many ways so I have it on order for 6”, but like the looks of 4.75” more (but feel that would preclude future scope usage), and I understand the utility of going longer but cannot bring myself to do so at this early point in the game. You need at least 2 then a 6 inch and a 4.75 inch...then you will need some good leather to tote them around...and before you know it this slippery slope turns into a real "Hobby"  |
|
|
|
Post by bigbrowndog on May 22, 2023 20:51:16 GMT -5
I’d say you have your shorty in the 97, a 6” 83 is a great length for starting out. It will do everything you need. If you really get into handgun hunting I’d say go 10” and throw a good optic on it, or have a MagnaPort Stalker made from a 10”, they shorten it to 8.375” and it makes an ultimate hunting gun. You can see mine in an article on GunsAmerica Hunt365, it is an SCI special gun that I got from 45man and love it.
Trapr
|
|
|
|
Post by zeus on May 22, 2023 22:11:10 GMT -5
I love the 6” gun and the 10” guns.
|
|
|
|
Post by wyomingnimrod on May 22, 2023 22:59:45 GMT -5
Thanks for the feedback, gentlemen. I should thank forum member Snyd for pointing me in the direction of this platform, and my wife for green-lighting a FA purchase which has allowed me to go down this never-ending rabbit hole. And since I live 45 mins away from Freedom, WY, I’d say I’m going to have a hard time resisting this new “hobby.” The only crappy part is that my newfound revolver obsession is coming at the cost of whittling down my rifle collection in order to fund it. But I’d like to think that I’m refining and upgrading the overall collection as I downsize.
Do all of you guys hunt exclusively with your single actions?
|
|
|
|
Post by paul105 on May 22, 2023 23:14:05 GMT -5
Thanks, gang. I’m confident that I’m on the right road with the .45/.454. Now, I’ll need to learn how to handload and cast bullets/boolits. Heaven help me… In the meantime, anyone know if the Garret Cartridge line of .45 Colt offerings fit FA 97’s shorter cylinder? All of the Garret loads are to long for the M97. Enlarge the cartridge box picture on their website and you can see the listed OAL -- shortest is for the 265gr at 1.635" the M97 is limited to right at 1.600" OAL. Try Buffalo Bore they offer a 225gr Barnes XPB and 300gr JFP (Speer) both are Ruger only level loads. The 225gr shows the M97 as one of the velocity test guns and the 300gr is stated for use in the M97 at 1.585" OAL. Maybe more but I didn't look further. Paul |
|
|
|
Post by wyomingnimrod on May 22, 2023 23:32:11 GMT -5
Thanks, gang. I’m confident that I’m on the right road with the .45/.454. Now, I’ll need to learn how to handload and cast bullets/boolits. Heaven help me… In the meantime, anyone know if the Garret Cartridge line of .45 Colt offerings fit FA 97’s shorter cylinder? All of the Garret loads are to long for the M97. Enlarge the cartridge box picture on their website and you can see the listed OAL -- shortest is for the 265gr at 1.635" the M97 is limited to right at 1.600" OAL. Try Buffalo Bore they offer a 225gr Barnes XPB and 300gr JFP (Speer) both are Ruger only level loads. The 225gr shows the M97 as one of the velocity test guns and the 300gr is stated for use in the M97 at 1.585" OAL. Maybe more but I didn't look further. Paul Thanks Paul, you’ve saved me time and money. I was hopeful Garrett would work because from what I can tell they seem to be just as high quality as BB but for less $ per unit and more rounds per box. BB it is until I’m loading up. Also found out the hard way recently that the HSM Bear Load is also too long for the 97. Anyone know of factory loads that will fit but also be hard cast heavier loads that I can cut my teeth on? Thank you Paul and all. |
|
|
|
Post by sixshot on May 23, 2023 2:47:49 GMT -5
Rey is being very humble here, he has taken many, many African animals with his FA guns over close to a dozen safari's. Not many hand gun hunters are in his class. He tends to favor the 45  My first FA was a 10" 454, I learned a lot from that gun. Dick |
|
|
|
Post by Big Bore on May 23, 2023 5:59:39 GMT -5
They should say on the website if they’ll fit. Garrett is good about making that info available. Fellow Texan BigBore on here or Randy Miller on HHI uses his 97 45 colt as his primary hunting gun he can probably tell you which bullets are too long. Trapr The 250 XTP fits perfectly. So do most variations of the 255-265 cast bullets. The 240 XTP mag is slightly too long for it but I made it fit by shaving .03 off the brass and reducing powder charges by the same percentage. 265 Aframe - too long 300 XTP - too long 250 Barnes xpb - too long |
|
|
|
Post by zeus on May 23, 2023 6:16:00 GMT -5
Thanks for the feedback, gentlemen. I should thank forum member Snyd for pointing me in the direction of this platform, and my wife for green-lighting a FA purchase which has allowed me to go down this never-ending rabbit hole. And since I live 45 mins away from Freedom, WY, I’d say I’m going to have a hard time resisting this new “hobby.” The only crappy part is that my newfound revolver obsession is coming at the cost of whittling down my rifle collection in order to fund it. But I’d like to think that I’m refining and upgrading the overall collection as I downsize. Do all of you guys hunt exclusively with your single actions? Beautiful country when you get into Star Valley for sure!!! I love it when we get to visit the area! |
|
|
|
Post by bearskinner on May 23, 2023 7:55:33 GMT -5
For a primary hunting revolver, I prefer a long barreled, scoped version with a brake. Here’s the Deathdealer. Attachments:
|
|
|
|
Post by wyomingnimrod on May 23, 2023 9:28:00 GMT -5
Rey is being very humble here, he has taken many, many African animals with his FA guns over close to a dozen safari's. Not many hand gun hunters are in his class. He tends to favor the 45 My first FA was a 10" 454, I learned a lot from that gun. Dick The more time I spend on here reading and chatting the more I realize how many of you guys are legendary hunters, shooters and enthusiasts. And soft-spoken the lot of you. It’s an honor to converse with every one of y’all. |
|
|
|
Post by wyomingnimrod on May 23, 2023 9:34:01 GMT -5
[/quote]Beautiful country when you get into Star Valley for sure!!! I love it when we get to visit the area![/quote]
Hit me up the next time you’re out this way, Zeus. Or anyone on the forum, for that matter. I’d love to have a coffee or a beer, talk guns, or shoot. I don’t yet have any local shooting/collecting/handgun/handloading mentors as of yet so I am grateful to for all the answered questions here, but would be equally so to shake a hand and say thanks in person.
|
|
|
|
Post by wyomingnimrod on May 23, 2023 9:36:27 GMT -5
For a primary hunting revolver, I prefer a long barreled, scoped version with a brake. Here’s the Deathdealer. Bearskinner, that is a beautiful set-up, and what a name for it. You must tell me what the grips are made of and by whom, as well as tell about the hide it rests on. Is that buffalo shot by your own hand? Very intrigued. |
|
My first FA was a 10" 454, I learned a lot from that gun.
