Ruger Old Army shooting low?

[timtriple]

Hi

tried my Old Army for second time at the range today. It is fixed sight model with 7 1/2 barrel I bought second hand but in as new condtion.

I was firing from 25 yards, using 25gr of 777, wad, .457 lead ball then load finished with layer of Trex.

With target & sights 'lollipopped' with wrist benchrested on bean bag it was shooting way low. To hit target I had to aim way above it. Several people at club suggested if it continues to fire low I should file front sight down a bit???

Can anyone suggest anything regarding loads to make it more accurate as I thought fixed sights were set for 25 yards on Old Army

Cheers Tim

[Simon G]

Tim,

First thing, get rid of that layer of Trex over the chamber mouth. With 777 you only need the wad to prevent flash over. (Think how much $hite you're shoving down the barrel!!!)

Secondly, how was it grouping? Is this accurate? If not, don't start filing until you have an accurate load.

You could try uping the load a little to raise the point of aim. Again, develop the most accurate load you can, don't settle for an in accurate load centered.

The fact is, if your accurate load is not centred, then filing of the front sight is what you're going to have to do to raise the point of impact.

[Wobbly 2]

I know that the 5 1/2 " ROA shoots low with 25 grains, but use 32 grains, and it shoots POA. Maybe worth a try.

[John Bedford]

My Pietta Remmington Texas (.44) bought S/H shot way low too when I first tried it. I had to aim so high (at 25m) that my hand obscured the target!

Messing with loads made little difference - I've now settled on 15g by weight 777 + semolina filler + felt wad + lubed (Liq. Alox) .454 ball.

With the foresight Dremelled down to near enough half its original height (in stages) the gun now shoots to point of aim.

[Smokeless Coal]

I'll second what John said, you dont need the trex. The benefit of 777 is its cleanliness compared to black or pyro, so there is no sense adding unneccesary goop.

Hodgdons recommend just a wonderlubed wad but 777 burns slightly faster and hotter and on advice from a great number of experienced American shooters just lubing the ball with alox is ideal and about as clean as you can get with m/l other than a nitro conversion.

They make these revolvers with the front sight a bit long because the only adjustment the user can do to otherwise fixed sights is shortening it.

But as said dont start filing until you have got your load sorted and getting consistant groups.

[Jim McArthur]

Hello, Smokeless! What have you been up to lately?

Jim