Ruger Old Army

[Cherrybow1]

I just acquired my first ROA ! Do any of you have one and if so, what is your favorite load? Round ball or conical? 

[Patocazador]

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.

[Cherrybow1]

What does the "swc" stand for?  Could you elaborate a bit more on how you use 2 rasps to increase diameter please

[Patocazador]

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".

[Cherrybow1]

Thanks for the explanation  ..I'm just learning about black powder revolvers

[Hanshi]

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.

[Hanshi]

I have only one at this time, a .50 flint pistol.

[Patocazador]

That .50 pistol will kill a deer, Hanshi, if you hit it in the right spot.

[flintboomer]

What does the "swc" stand for?  Could you elaborate a bit more on how you use 2 rasps to increase diameter please

SWC is for semi wadcutter.

[topbreak]

Mine seems to like 35 grains of 3f or Pyrodex P. Powerful and accurate.

Don

[flintboomer]

I could never afford one but the guys that had them and worked up a good load did quite well with them.