Well, this Sunday I used my ROA for the first time with 24gr of TS2 a wonderwad which I soaked in lard followed by a .457 ball. No filler, no stuff on top.
Wasn't a great kick, but lots of flames and smoke.
I didn't have any chain fires, loading was amazingly easy.
I removed the cylinder to load powder ( premeasured ) and insert the wads.
Then loaded the cylinder back and loaded the balls then caps.
Easy peasey, non of the faffing about with stands and lazy loaders etc..
Only thing I will do different next time is use more powder!
Cleaning was incredibly easy with just a jag and bits of kitchen towel.
Mark
Uberti Walker.
40 grains Krank's Medium, gently tamp down flat with a close-cylinder-fit dowel. Then gently, fill over the powder with semolina powder to level with the top of cylinder. Then squeeze down a good soft 457 Round Ball to just level with the cylinder top.
When I wear my robot eyes, I really have done 1.5 inches at 25 yards for 5/6 - always seem to get 1 'flier' no matter what I do, no point fibbing.
That's good enough for what is a very powerful load. Semolina is the ticket, but not many indoor clubs allow it.
(robot eyes - a rubber iris stuck on my glasses with a small 1.5mm hole, without that, the sights and target are just blurs, eyesight after 40 sucks)
here's the link to the MLAGB winning loads,
http://www.mlagb.com/wp-content/uplo...2002-loads.pdf
ROA load of 20 gr Swiss no 2 as the Club doesn't like loud bangs, upsets the neighbours. Current average 88.
I use T7 only.
In a standard ROA cylinder with the standard rammer and 3mm wad even 15grn by mass/24grn BP equivelent will leave airspace,poor ignition being the main side effect but safety should be a concern.
I have a spout marked 28grn that gives 2mm compression but the accuracy isn't good,also get some creep that doesn't happen with well compressed lead.
My best load is 15grn mass of T7 with a lubed wad and .457 RB,crunched down firmly in a press.
Fillers are a problem on a damp indoor range as they grow mould.
BP indoors is also a bit rich.
I measure everything.
Don't have much confidence in the numbers marked on spouts,they vary too much.
Today (another really nice day BTW) I thought I would try Tac's favoured load in my ROA. OK I am using .457 swaged balls rather than cast per Tac's advice, and I confess that I was somewhat sceptical, but I found that 25 gn of VLC actually worked rather well. Scored 90 dead with it, and not as punishing on the elbow as I had expected.
So Tac, you were right and I was wrong (not for the first time either).
It does seem to me that the ROA is particularly insensitive to load - perhaps this is why it is so popular.
It also seems to me that a lighter load works better when the weather is warmer, and a heavier one when it is cold. Anyone else get that feeling? This calls for further experimentation.
True freedom includes the freedom to make mistakes or do foolish things and bear the consequences.
TANSTAAFL
Must be near the oldest at 73, still working. Army Cadets 1955. TA. long break family and then grandkids. Club shooting 2004 break due to family reasons 2013. Now back with BP and Bench rest. Now back on learning curve, but thank god eyesight still 100%, very good as I work on the pc most of the day.
happy birthday tac for yesterday
pietta ss .44 20gr by vol and semolina ,.451 an e45 lubed
pedersoli .36 15gr by vol and semolina .360 ball and patch
pietta.36 12gr by vol and semolina .375 ball and e45 lubed
pedersoli derringer .36 12gr by vol and semolina .360 ball