Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Cowboy Action Shooting POI needs changing

New pair of Ruger SASS Vaqueros in 45 Colt and new Uberti 1873 20", also in 45 Colt. 200 gr RNFP tested with minimum charges at 25 yds.

Trail Boss; 727, 741, 835 fps.
Titegroup; 622, 676, 807 fps.
Red Dot; 855, 859, 998 fps.

First velocity of each powder was #27 (last 2 digits of the Vaqueros). Second velocity is from #28, the 2nd Vaquero. Third velocity is from the 20" 1873.

Both the Vaquero's impacts were 3" low with the fast Red Dot. Running faster velocities would raise impacts but defeats the purpose of minimum charges and minimum recoil. I could definitely tell the difference between Red Dot and the other two.

Both the Vaquero's impacts were 4" low with the Trail Boss.

Both the Vaquero's impact were 5" low with the slow Titegroup.

The Win 1873's impacts were 5" high with the Trail Boss.
The Win 1873's impacts were 5" high with the Titegroup.
The Win 1873's impacts were 4" high with the Red Dot.

Also, the Vaqueros impacts were all 2-3" left.
Also, I removed the 1873's rear sight "ladder" to lower the rear blade even lower. It only helped so much.

For the Vaqueros, i'm sure I need to file down the front sight a bit to raise the impact. How does none adjust impact to the right 2-3" with the Vaqueros?

The 1873 is what has me stumped. Rear sight is as low as it gets which means the front sight needs to be taller. How does one go about getting a taller, brass bead front sight?

Thanks,

Alan

Actually, slowing the revolver loads will raise impact.
More barrel time with recoil.

But, you are already running pretty slow.

Can you slow the Red Dot down?

I didn't like Red Dot in my 45, it was dirty or didn't burn well. I can't remember.
I do remember 4227 didn't burn for crap.

I have best luck with Unique an Universal, but heavier loads than you want.

Trail Boss and Red Dot didn't really have any or much when it came to "unburnt" powder. I know it' burnt, just still there. Titegroup had plenty in the case. Since I wan't/need to keep the recoil down, I think this is going to be a hardware (gun) fix and not a software (load development) issue.

I'm sure you can put less Red Dot in the case. We'll just get less consistent burns since the powder is sliding all over the place, against the primer then against the bullet with each shot leading to higher extreme speeds though they weren't horrible. Titegroup was the worst offender.

Thanks for info on barrel dwell time.

Agreed, Unique and Universal, which I have plenty of, would take me in the opposite direction I want to go.

Alan

Maybe I didn't like Red Dot because of the case capacity. It's been over twenty years since I experimented with the 45.
I can't remember why I walked to the basement sometimes.

To raise POI in the Vaquero,go to a heavier bullet. I have heard that some handguns can have the barrel turned ever so slightly to adjust windage.Don't know much about that though.

Nope! Keeping the bullet weight at 200 gr or under. I appreciate the advice. I've been reading about twisting the barrel slightly to adjust windage. I'm sure when I send mine off some day to tuned, the 'smith will twist it for me.

Alan

The groups I shot on Saturday were shot, benched, two hand hold.

Last evening, I shot groups, off-hand.

25 yds.
Strong hand only, pinky finger under the grip = 4.5" low, 2.5" right
Strong hand only, pinky finger on the grip = 4.5" low, 1.5" right

10 yds.

Strong hand only, pinky finger under the grip = 2" low, .5" right
Strong hand only, pinky finger on the grip = 1" low, 0" right/left

I'd surmise I still need to file down the front sight a tiny bit.

Agreed?

I received a .5" tall 3/32" white bead Marble Sight from Brownells and it worked perfectly, bring the impact spot on at 25 yds.

Alan

Shooting low is easy to fix with a file if that's the load you want to stay with.