Calling Ruger Old Army Experts, Please

[Blaine]

A fella is talking about a ROA that has been "backbored" and he's using 53gr and getting 41 Mag performance........Now, I want to hollar BS, but I'm just not sure of myself......That Walker Colt could get into that realm of power, but the Ruger?? What say you?

[AmBraCol]

A fella is talking about a ROA that has been "backbored" and he's using 53gr and getting 41 Mag performance........Now, I want to hollar BS, but I'm just not sure of myself......That Walker Colt could get into that realm of power, but the Ruger?? What say you?

Blaine, the ROA is capable of incredible performance. I believe it is Clements who does up a five shot 50 cal ROA. I've never had a chance to play with one, but those who have are tickled pink.

Now, as for how much powder, etc can be crammed into one - I'm not sure. I'm not sure what they mean by "back boring" but the standard cylinder will put up with all kinds of abuse. Don't ask me how I know, but a ridiculous charge of fast (close to Bullseye) powder under a Lee Conical will give incredible performance. The idiot who showed it to me didn't have a cronograph so we'll never know how fast it was - but it dug DEEP in the targets compared to standard BP loads. The recoil was similar to a heavy loaded 45 Colt Blackhawk and occasionally the ram would snap loose under recoil. And it kept coming back for more. This is NOT an endorsement for such practice - merely an "I saw it done" observation for educational purposes. Again, I'm not sure what's involved with "back boring" - but I've a LOT of respect for Ruger's now discontinued charcoal burner. I'd like to get my hands on another one some day...

[Blaine]

There is a gas station/general store/gun shop across the street from Shilo in Big Timber, MT and they had a stainless and a blued.....they were both about 600 bucks.... I suspect BP can be mailed without FFLs involved??

[Hobie]

Yep. Since the ROA was discontinued (apparently due to lack of sales) collector prices seem to apply. Most haven't been shot much AND you can get a conversion cylinder.

[bigbore442001]

To the best of my knowledge, Dave Clemments will deepen the chambers of the factory cylinders to increase the velocity by 75 to 100 fps. Also, there is a company that makes aftermarket cylinder with an increased powder capacity to gain power. I want to say it is classicballistix.com

If I can get some spare change, I'd like to get one of the aftermarket cylinders to play with. I like the idea of a cap and ball revolver with above average power .

[Sixgun]

In the Wison book on Rugers, he writes how Bill Ruger filled a chamber in the ROA with Bullseye and the gun held together. I find that hard to believe--maybe it really was only a half chamber/.---------Sixgun

[Blaine]

A friend who travels alot tells me that a loaded C&B revolver may me carried loaded in your vechicle legally in all the states......I have no personal knowledge of this, but my friend usually researches these things before saying them.....

I'm not a fan of making something do more than it was orginally designed to do....Just asking for trouble, IMO.

[Hobie]

A friend who travels alot tells me that a loaded C&B revolver may me carried loaded in your vechicle legally in all the states......I have no personal knowledge of this, but my friend usually researches these things before saying them.....

I'm not a fan of making something do more than it was orginally designed to do....Just asking for trouble, IMO.

I don't believe that is true. I can't remember which state(s) but there are/were several in which even a pellet pistol so carried and used could get you in dutch. I sure wouldn't do it in NY or IL!

[J Miller]

A friend who travels alot tells me that a loaded C&B revolver may me carried loaded in your vechicle legally in all the states......I have no personal knowledge of this, but my friend usually researches these things before saying them.....

I'm not a fan of making something do more than it was orginally designed to do....Just asking for trouble, IMO.

In IL If you're caught you'll be charged with unlawful use of a firearm, or some similar phrase. And that's a felony.

Joe

[bigbore442001]

Same is true of Massachusetts. You can own one and keep a cap and ball revolver in your home but if you take it out to shoot or carry you better have a class a or b license.

The statement that you can have a loaded cap and ball revolver in your vehicle without worry may be true of many states in the West but it is a different story in the northeast or upper midwest.

[Rusty]

I believe the "backboring" referred to would be actually just "cleaning up" the cylinder a bit. If you look inside the chambers towards the rear there is a little step. In other words the cylinder isn't cut straight. If that little step were removed it would allow for a little more power.

[Ysabel Kid]

A friend who travels alot tells me that a loaded C&B revolver may me carried loaded in your vechicle legally in all the states......I have no personal knowledge of this, but my friend usually researches these things before saying them.....

I'm not a fan of making something do more than it was orginally designed to do....Just asking for trouble, IMO.

In IL If you're caught you'll be charged with unlawful use of a firearm, or some similar phrase. And that's a felony.

Joe

Heck, in IL, if you are caught with a straw and some spitballs I think it is a felony!

I believe the "backboring" referred to would be actually just "cleaning up" the cylinder a bit. If you look inside the chambers towards the rear there is a little step. In other words the cylinder isn't cut straight. If that little step were removed it would allow for a little more power.

That is correct.

Blaine -

Given that the model has been discontinued and aftermarket cylinders are readily available that will hold the extra charge, if it were me I wouldn't touch the original and just get one of the aftermarkets. And an R&D conversion cylinder! You'd want an extra cylinder anyway!!!

Actually, since I purchased a ROA from rjohns94, I will need to do the same!!!

[Blaine]

Slightly veering back to the topic : Can the altered cyl hold 53 grains, provide .41Mag numbers and would it be safe to do so if possible....It is not my shooter (wish it was), but I don't think those numbers are possible or advisable.

[Ysabel Kid]

The ROA frame is extremely strong - but I don't think I'd be willing to press my luck by attempting to duplicate .41 Magnum performance in one.

Then again, YouTube is repleat with videos of people doing just those kinds of things - much to our entertainment (and their heartache).

[Blaine]

We think alike, YK........I've had my fingers and eyes for nearly 58 years and would like to continue that trend in the future

[AmBraCol]

Ysabel,

After watching folks hunt anything and everything in the Amazon basin with a piece of curtain rod for a barrel on their muzzle loader I have a bit different perspective on black powder than most. I'm still amazed at the sheer mass of US muzzle loader barrels. What most folks don't realize is that BP really generates relatively little pressure when compared to smokeless loads. I'd never suggest anyone repeat the smokeless loads I've seen in an Old Army, but there's more than enough steel there to handle any charge of black powder you can stuff in. Some folks have even played around with FFFFg and the OA. Ruger has always "over engineered" their products. The same basic frame as the OA is routinely used for building 475 and 500 Linebaugh guns, I'd not worry about anything you could stuff in it in the BP realm. What they mean by "41 magnum realm" is a round ball at a high enough speed to equal the foot pounds generated by the 41 on paper. Now, if you venture into the smokeless area (which I'd NEVER encourage anyone to do) then you can get a CONICAL projectile to a high enough velocity to probably leave the 41 mag gasping for breath trying to keep up. Black powder will still give you roughly the equivalent of an old original 45 Colt load in the OA - without reaming or backboring or otherwise altering the cylinder.

[Old Ironsights]

The biggest problem with using 4F in a ROA is the fat flash holes in the nipples... 4F falls out when loading more often than not.

Get the premium nipples with the small holes and all will be well.

With all the 4F I have (pounds and pounds) I shot 4F in mine exclusively - both when it was a .45 and after Clements made it into a .50.

[AmBraCol]

The biggest problem with using 4F in a ROA is the fat flash holes in the nipples... 4F falls out when loading more often than not.

Get the premium nipples with the small holes and all will be well.

With all the 4F I have (pounds and pounds) I shot 4F in mine exclusively - both when it was a .45 and after Clements made it into a .50.

Aaaahhh.... so you have one of the fabled fifties. Sweet. I always thought that would be a neat piece to own. What kind of velocity do you get? Have you used any kind of conical or simply used round balls? I hope one day to get a chance to play with one a bit. I sure miss my old ROA, the fifty is just more gooder yet - at least in my imagination.

[Old Ironsights]

The biggest problem with using 4F in a ROA is the fat flash holes in the nipples... 4F falls out when loading more often than not.

Get the premium nipples with the small holes and all will be well.

With all the 4F I have (pounds and pounds) I shot 4F in mine exclusively - both when it was a .45 and after Clements made it into a .50.

Aaaahhh.... so you have one of the fabled fifties. Sweet. I always thought that would be a neat piece to own. What kind of velocity do you get? Have you used any kind of conical or simply used round balls? I hope one day to get a chance to play with one a bit. I sure miss my old ROA, the fifty is just more gooder yet - at least in my imagination.

Had. I needed $1500 more a while back and it was only a "toy". I can't afford "toys". All my gun s have to have an active khunting/competition purpose.

I only used Round Balls, but it was really cool.

Biggest reason for NOT getting the .50 is because you can't use a conversion cylinder... which doubles the usefulness of the ROA and makes it a legal hunting gun where I am.

[AmBraCol]

Biggest reason for NOT getting the .50 is because you can't use a conversion cylinder... which doubles the usefulness of the ROA and makes it a legal hunting gun where I am.

Hmmm.... Maybe Clements needs to make up some 500 Wyoming conversion cylinders to go with his 50 cal conversions...

[awp101]

Hmmm.... Maybe Clements needs to make up some 500 Wyoming conversion cylinders to go with his 50 cal conversions...

You must be related to a carpal tunnel specialist...