Traditional Muzzleloading on the Cheap

Firearms => Handguns => Topic started by: Cherrybow1 on March 21, 2023, 10:39:14 PM

Title: Ruger Old Army
Post by: Cherrybow1 on March 21, 2023, 10:39:14 PM
I just acquired my first ROA prty! Do any of you have one and if so, what is your favorite load? Round ball or conical? 
Title: Re: Ruger Old Army
Post by: Patocazador on March 21, 2023, 11:21:41 PM
I have 3 ROAs, 2 stainless and one blue.

My favorite load is a cast .452 swc 240 gr. that I use 2 rasps to increase the diameter with 35 gr. of 3FG. I have killed a deer and a hog with it and would post photos if that feature were up and running.
Title: Re: Ruger Old Army
Post by: Cherrybow1 on March 22, 2023, 03:52:37 AM
What does the "swc" stand for?  Could you elaborate a bit more on how you use 2 rasps to increase diameter please wtch
Title: Re: Ruger Old Army
Post by: Patocazador on March 22, 2023, 02:03:02 PM
SWC =Semi WadCutter

Take 2 rasps, place the bullet between them and roll them in opposite directions. This roughens the sides, increases the diameter slightly, and keeps the bullet from moving in the barrel.
It doesn't do that great a job on keeping gases behind the bullet's base so I use a lubed wad between bullet and powder.

ROAs generally take a .457 bullet but I've never found a swc mold that size in .457".
Title: Re: Ruger Old Army
Post by: Cherrybow1 on March 23, 2023, 02:28:40 AM
Thanks for the explanation  dntn..I'm just learning about black powder revolvers
Title: Re: Ruger Old Army
Post by: Hanshi on March 24, 2023, 09:42:39 PM
I've owned a couple of ROAs back in the dim past and can't recall anything about them.  I've killed lots of deer with modern 6-guns but never with a c&b revolver.
Title: Re: Ruger Old Army
Post by: Hanshi on March 30, 2023, 06:13:35 PM
I have only one at this time, a .50 flint pistol.

(https://i.postimg.cc/ZYXb4gC8/PICT0369-1-zps544bf87a-1.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
Title: Re: Ruger Old Army
Post by: Patocazador on March 30, 2023, 11:10:57 PM
That .50 pistol will kill a deer, Hanshi, if you hit it in the right spot.
Title: Re: Ruger Old Army
Post by: flintboomer on April 02, 2023, 10:26:40 PM
Quote from: Cherrybow1 on March 22, 2023, 03:52:37 AM
What does the "swc" stand for?  Could you elaborate a bit more on how you use 2 rasps to increase diameter please wtch
SWC is for semi wadcutter.
Title: Re: Ruger Old Army
Post by: topbreak on May 29, 2023, 09:13:53 PM
Mine seems to like 35 grains of 3f or Pyrodex P. Powerful and accurate.

Don
Title: Re: Ruger Old Army
Post by: flintboomer on June 01, 2023, 12:52:51 AM
I could never afford one but the guys that had them and worked up a good load did quite well with them.