Rossi Brawler 45/410 single shot

[lar4570]

I picked up a Rossi Brawler 45/410 single shot pistol up the other day.


I had an old Swift 1.25x4 scope sitting around and mounted it.
I had a box of factory 255gn 45 colt ammo and some light loads that I'd made up for a Judge with a 235 and 6gns of 700X. I also had some heavier loads for my Rugers with a 275 and 2400 powder.

The 235s shot pretty good at 25yds.


I tried the 275s and they keyholed in the target, so I stopped shooting them. The pistol has a 1:24" twist rate, so I'm not sure if it was the twist rate or maybe shallow rifling?
My Rossi 92 rifle in 45 colt has slower rifling and shoots the 275s just fine, so maybe it's the shallow rifling? Maybe I'll do a chamber cast and see just how shallow it is?

The scope base came loose a couple of times while shooting. I tried tightening it down, but it just vibrated loose again.
So I pulled it, degreased the barrel, base and screws and put some Blue locktite on.
It did look like there was some thread locker installed at the factory, but there was also a large amount of oil under and around the scope base, so maybe the thread locker didn't setup properly?

I shot up what little bit of light ammo I had, so I need to load some more, remount and rezero the scope and see if the accuracy will hold at 75 yds from the bench...

[bula]

Saw a youtube video on, I think. What is the trigger like ? No 45 bore stuff here, but I'll throw it out anyway because somebody will...wonder if chamber can handle, safety-wise, a 454 ? 

[45MAN]

so she ain't pretty, but ......

Interesting HANDGUN.

[cdf41]

Looks like a slab sided barrel?

[lar4570]

Yes, it's a slab sided barrel. Also correct, it ain't pretty, lol. But at $219...
The trigger isn't too bad. I'll have to put a gauge on it.
The paperwork says Brawler Poly. The outside of the frame is Poly, but I'm not sure if it has a steel frame inside of it.
The Chamber is cut 1.3" deep, then necks down just slightly, so no 444-45 custom loads in it.
The manual also says to not use slugs in it. Don't know why. It also says to not use 454 or +P ammo. The Ruger loads didn't blow it up, but I only fired 2 until I saw the keyhole in the target.
The action and barrel lockup looks like a mini- H&R handi

[lar4570]

I did a chamber cast and the 45 colt section is .480" at the breach, then tapers to .479" at 1.3".
Then it starts at .469" and tapers to .463" along a 1.710" section.
There is a short .100" section that tapers to the rifling.
The rifling measures .4535" x .4445"

I got some more 235s loaded up with 700X and will see if it holds groups at 75 yds from the bench.

Oh, I also put a trigger pull gauge on it and it breaks just a smidge over 4.5#

[needsmostuff]

Hope it works out for you.
Sure wish they would offer a straight 45 colt barrel. That might be cool.
Already tried and failed with an H&R 45/410 carbine and a Taurus 45/410 revolving rifle.
Ain't getting sucked down that road again.

[bula]

Well, if you find huntable accuracy, a budget way to get into scoped single-shot for hunting. If not, your down to a pest control gun ? The 44mag to 430JDJ Contender I was gifted , it's primary role was garden pest zapper. Most of the loaded ammo was shotshells and it rode in a metal fender box on a tractor. 

[bula]

Bear Creek Supply has a 230gr hollow base cast bullet.. 

[lar4570]

A hollow base bullet might be a great idea.
Thanks

[bula]

You are welcome. You mentioned some accuracy issues may be linked to shallow rifling, so... 

[nhithaca]

Matt's Bullets also has a soft cast hollow base full wad cutter bullet available (in 32, 38, 44 and 45). Makes a Judge 410/45 revolver into a 3-5" gun instead of a 12"+ gun. Good guys, fast shipping and reasonable costs.

[cdf41]

Pretty neat idea kinda like the old Commanche pistols. Fingers crossed for 357 and 44 magnum later on.