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I got a ruger old army BP revolver---its stainless,8 inch barrel---it doesn't have any markings on the caliber is.Whats a ball park on theses for value?Alos its loaded--is there any way to unload it or do i have to shoot it,I haven't been able to get the cylinder out

The ROA are all 44 caliber.

You can use a ball screw to pull the balls from the cylinder, but it's kind of pain.

If you can find a nipple wrench to remove those nipples you can push the ball out. Best I remember The ROA had hex head nipples. So a proprietary hex head wrench is what you need.

Could you hold an air nozzle on the nipple hole and push the ball out with compressed air.................. being careful of course!

Thanks Dan---hows life on the Withlachoochee

They are actually .45 caliber. .457 roundballs are the proper size and get shaved a bit when seated in the cylinder. If, as is quite possible, the cylinder has become pitted from being left loaded and/or fired without cleaning, you can get a cartridge cylinder that accepts .45 Colt/.45 S&W or .45 ACP from Midway or others for about $290. Even if the cylinder is okay, the cartridge conversion is well worth doing. The manufacturer recommends only lead bullets and standard pressures, NOT the Ruger/TC loads that may be as high as 30,000 psi. At least one writer has listed loads with jacketed bullets, but you’re on your own there.

The cylinder is a “part”, and doesn’t require a background check, so far anyway. I’ve seen alleged ATF opinions that the Rugers do need to be treated as firearms because they are so easily converted, but they remain for sale all over. You may NOT sell the gun and cartridge cylinder together because you “manufactured” a firearm when you assembled them.

Prices run from $600 to $900+ on GB. Fine guns.

To unload, put the hammer in half-cock, remove the caps from the nipples, turn the base screw counterclockwise about a quarter turn, then pull the base pin/loading lever out. The cylinder should then be free in the frame. I’d soak it good with the nipples removed to kill the powder before trying to get the balls and powder out. Even then, go easy, and don’t point it at anything you don’t want a hole in. The compressed air idea is a good one too if you have what ‘s needed, but those balls have been rammed in pretty good. If you have caps, you could try shooting it, but that’s up to you🤔

Just read the manual Dan linked. Never tried that. If you do, use a brass rod and be very careful not to damage the nipple threads.

Just hoochie coochie.

You’re on the Withlacootchee ?

https://www.amazon.com/TREATISE-RIFLE-N-BOSWORTH/dp/B0012F5TNU Point of interest......

Bosworth in his 1848 “A Treatise on the Rifle....”

https://www.amazon.com/TREATISE-RIFLE-N-BOSWORTH/dp/B0012F5TNU

quotes General Edmund P. Gaines 1836 report to the War Department in which he states that the Seminole Indians were scoring hits “at between 400 and 500 yards” at the Battle of Withlacootchie, December 31 1835.

Longest hits ever recorded with roundball flintlock rifles.

I'd shoot it empty then clean it .