Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns Ruger Old Army advice needed.

Just picked up a 1995 vintage Ruger Old Army, stainless, adjustable sights, pretty much new in the box. It appears unfired but there is a pinpoint of freckling on the frame which corresponds to a spot in the cardboard box. I think I got an OK deal on it for $459 out the door.

What are some good loads for this revolver? Any particular powders that work best; are Pyrodex pellets worth looking into? What's the best way to clean one of these? I've got a few BP rifles, but have no experience cleaning revolvers shot with black powder.

Also, what molds for conical hunting bullets should I be looking at?

.457 balls work well. 30 grains of 777 (loose powder) makes for a really accurate and reasonably powerful load.

I have not had real good luck with phrodex pellets, number of misfires. I have been told to use loose powder and i wouldn't have this problem but haven't tried it yet.
As to cleaning i use hot soapy water generally with dish water detergent for barrel and cyclinder, and i remove the nipples to do this. And clean the inside of the nipples, air dry all of it followed by clp or some other cleaner, clp as an example. Wife loves it when i do it in the bathroom sink.
I have only shot ball in it, but would recommend you use grease or the little felt covers over the ball to seal them. A poster on here i have seen fire 400grainers from a 45/70 in one. They are quite accurate. I think the balls i have used without looking are about 180grains, and they are moving over 1000fps. Certainly minute of beer can at reasonable ranges. I have been putting that "butter" down bp rifle barrels and do the same on the revolver.

Good article about loading the Old Army...

http://www.dixieslugs.com/images/ROA_complete_.pdf

I use laser cast pre-lubed 45 slugs in mine. Generally the lighter weight variety, works great for me.

Clean up through the dishwasher, always freaks everyone out, but works.

Never shot pellets only loose powder.

I use 41 gr of Swiss FFFG in mine with a round ball for deer. Over 1100 fps and knocks deer right quick.
Use a BPCR lube over the ball, not mush like Crisco.
I remove the cylinder, grip panels and put the gun in the laundry tub to clean. Soap and water all through and then when almost dry, spray with barricade.
Put STP on the cylinder pin, ratchet and front of the cylinder bushing.
777 never worked because you do not want to compress it at all. Pyrodex is better but still sad.
Nipples should be installed with a good anti seize and never need removed.

Chain fires never happen from the front, only from the rear with recoil plate impact to a cap or flame going under one. Ball or boolit fit will never allow flame to pass.
The reason to grease at the front is for bore lube and fouling softening.

+1 on up to the most 777 you can put in the cylinder, around 45 grains, but don't over compress, which leads to misfires. I use a Wonder Wad for the light loads, between the ball and powder but for maximum loads, up to 1200 fps, I don't use a wad, just over seal with Bore Butter and shoot.

Be careful if you try Pyrodex. It's extremely corrosive, more than traditional black powder. Full disassembly and hot soapy water cleaning needed.

Mine likes Lee cast .456 220 gr roundnose, and around 30 gr of 4f.

Lucky bastard. I never thought they'd ever stop making those, so put off buying one literally for decades, till when I decided to finally look into ordering one I discovered they'd been out of production for a couple of years already.

I use .457 round ball over 40 grains of 777 FFg lit off by Remington #10 caps. She sure does shoot good with that load.

Use hot soapy water and bore mops to clean and a tooth brush for nooks & cranny's. Not as hard as it sounds, just a few minutes work. Then dry in the toaster oven ( I have my own in the shop) at 200 degrees for 10-15 minutes, then liberally lube with G96 gun treatment and red wheel bearing grease on the center pin.

Do take the grips off before all of the above!

Figured I'd post a few pictures before I shoot the gun for the first time and get it all dirty

400 gr 45-70 bullet? Damn! Bear Gun ?