Advice on loading my ROA

[timelord00]

Hi, I was just reading this thread and I am still wondering about the part of the original question, that mentions that one of the guys at his work loads a wad between the powder and ball and the other places the wad over the top. Which method is correct? Does it matter? Or are these two variations for different reasons? Thanks, G.

[Smokeless Coal]

The wad goes between powder and ball.

Wads or filler dont really matter, in the days these were used in anger they didnt use anything just powder and ball, with grease over the ball to make it a bit more waterproof bearing in mind it could stay holstered for ages. Never use a flask, most clubs ban their use for good reason. My personal choice is cous-cous filler because it has more "give" than finer alternatves.

With regard to balls I cast my own but have now taken to weighing every one to be sure of a matching set, its surprising the variation in weight.

Powder is measured volumetricaly but I then weigh my phials to select matching weights. Had 3 bulls in a 1" group at 25m and the other 3 within a 3" group last week so for me its paying off.

As for putting caps on I dont use much pressure, mostly they dont go off on first strike but the hammer seats them ready for next hit. I prefer it this way, its safer for them to be pushed on with some force by the hammer whilst the gun is in the aimed position than risk using too much force while on the bench. Not good in competition but I dont enter any so ok for me.

[timelord00]

Thankyou very much for that. I will take my recently aquired ROA out to the range next time. I am looking forward to it. Just got to get the oxyoke wonder wads & a powder measure first for loading the cylinder. Will the Hornaday .457 balls be a tight fit and stay in the chamber on their own? They don't sometimes roll out do they whilst the pistol is inverted? Thankyou for the advice. G.

[Smokeless Coal]

.457 is the recommended size for the ROA and no they dont roll out.

Atrixo hand creme seems to be popular ATM at my club as overball grease.

[tim56]

As above, .457" is the correct size for the Ruger old army. Iv got two of them and both use .457". They arnt going to fall out till they go bang.!! As Smokeless says, wads or filler is down to preference. I use remington no11 caps, they go pop everytime and are easy to fit. Dont fall off but do hang on a bit if lots powder is used. Tim

[timelord00]

Thankyou for your advice :-) G.

[lasbrisas]

I hope this thread is still alive and well, Ive just been given a tub of pyrodex, anyone have any advice on how much I should use in my ROA. HAve been using 21 grains of BP till now. Is it a direct substitute or more powerful as 777 is.