[1911JMB]

In order to extend the michigan deer season in the future, I want to buy a black power revolver. I would get a rifle, but I am quite accurate with handguns and like the idea of more than 1 shot.

While I don't know much of anything about black powder guns of any kind, the walker has some obvious advantages and I am leaning towards some sort of walker repro, but I have a very open mind. I want it to be accurate, powerful and shootable, and of course I want a good deal because I don't like revolvers and only want one for utility reasons. Anybody have any reccomendations?

Another thing, is it possible or practical with any kind of black powder revolver to pop a fresh cylinder in for a fast reload, or does 6 shots make the gun too dirty to use like I have been told the rifles will get after 3 shots?

[Oldnamvet]

Then again, you could always get a double rifle so you have two shots. AS to the pistol, I would get the most powerful I could find. I regard my 1858 .44 Remington as of the same power category as the .38 special. Not really ideal for deer unless you are really close. The Walker holds a larger powder charge so would be a better choice. If you are planning on doing a lot of shooting at the range, a second cylinder is nice. I never was able to change them as fast as Clint Eastwood in Pale Rider, but it is easier than putting in fresh loads. And my pistol doesn't gum up that fast. I put about 4 to 5 cylinder loads through before it starts binding. Good luck. Michigan deer season this year really sucked on the opening week. Hope the muzzleloader season goes better.

[mec]

Here are two possibilities- both involving loads with the Buffalo .457 diameter 190 grain bullet. Other bullets will behave quite differenty with the same charges.
http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=32242&stc=1&d=1133753221

http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=32243&stc=1&d=1133753185

Results may vary from one gun to the next. For instance, This Ruger will shoot very fine groups with 35 grains of black powder or the same volume equivalent of pyrodex or H777 but looses accuracy if the load is increased.

The obvious choice for somebody who doesn't really like revolvers would be the Ruger in Stainless. Cleanup is easier and you don't have to deal with broken springs etc.
I don't know about your area but some places do not include revolvers in their muzzle loading seasons because they don't load strictly from the muzzle.

[Beartracker]

Agree with Mec here on his choices but I have to say that you can not compair a .38 special to a Remington .44 for several reasons. The wound channel that is left by the round ball from a .44 is very devistating and will rip a hole that you can't believe in a real world sitsuation. Also you can load 40g of fff g in with a .454 ball and get great accuracy and at 20-30 yards it will knock a deer on it's butt. Several of us hunt with them including two police officers that I know of. I have never had a Deer go very far after shooting them with my Remington.
Ceck your laws and keep in mind that many states do not allow you to use a Revolver during muzzle loading season because they are not muzzle loaders they are cap and ball black powder revolvers. Most do allow them during gun season.

[mec]

What Beartracker said!

The remington and colt open top Armies will get over 1000 fps with a full load of pyrodex p or Swiss 3f- a bit slower with goex. My top load is 35 grains and will arrive at that velocity. You might find it rather hard on the loading mechanism to stuff 40 grains in there but I have no doubt it could be done. Jim Taylor- a thoroughly experienced writer with GunWeek, maxed his out with 37 grains and recorded velocities in the + 1000 fps range.

The paper ballistics compare directly with the advertised velocities and energies of the old .38-44 outdoorsman loads for the .38 special but, like beartracker says, the bullet starts out bigger and the round balls do leave pretty good holes.

[Beartracker]

Mec, You can load a Remington .44 with 40g of 3 f Goex,a 1/8" wool wad over the powder, a little grease over the wad and a .454 ball and still have room for grease over the ball to help keep yhings running smooth. I know it doesn't look like it will go but it does with no problem. It's also still very accurate out to 30 yards, never tried it over that distance because I use that load for carrying in the woods or hunting and not for target.
It sure does the job on Deer and I had a friend shoot a bore and drope it in it's tracks with that load.:)

[ArmedBear]

Ceck your laws and keep in mind that many states do not allow you to use a Revolver during muzzle loading season because they are not muzzle loaders they are cap and ball black powder revolvers. Most do allow them during gun season.

Note also that you might not be allowed to load both barrels of a double muzzleloading rifle, either, during ML season.

[mec]

I've probably been extra cautious not wanting to stress the screw and pins on that lever attachement. I suspect that load would top 1100 in some revolvers.

[MCgunner]

I get about 950 fps out of a 200 grain Lee hollow point conical in my Old Army. I guess you could deer hunt with it at very close range, but I'd sure be better off with a good .357, IMHO. I've thought about it, but never tried to hunt with it.

[1911JMB]

At this point I'm devided between ruger and a walker. If I do decide to get a walker, who makes the best repro's?

And about ruger, using my 10/22 as a way of judging the company, I know they make strong guns, but at least with my 10/22 accuracy and trigger pull was not on the quality agenda. How well made are ruger revolvers in that regard?

[mec]

Uberti is the only current maker of good walkers. Palmetto arms makes them too but should be avoided. See this:
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=168811

Note that the loading lever will drop down at every or almost every shot unless taped or tied to the barrel. Also expect substantially better groups than shown as they were all produced in the "duelist" mode and not the standard two handed hunting grip.

[Starter52]

I would not go with the Walker. The sights are terrible. Just about worthless. Not good for hunting at all.

The Ruger Old Army is a much better choice.

[1911JMB]

Old Army it is.

[MCgunner]

I had a stainless Old Army that got stolen when some dirt bag broke into the house some years ago. :cuss: I liked that thing. I had a pachmeyer on it and would come home from the range, strip it down, stick it in the dish washer for clean up. Well, after it got stolen, I was making the rounds of local pawn and gun shops looking for guns that might be mine, when I found a blued one, used, like new, for $97! I asked the guy if it was a typo, he said he just wanted out of black powder and was getting rid of it, so I whipped out a hundred. I'd have bought it regardless of losing the other gun.

One thing I've noticed about both these ruggers is that the front sight blade isn't near tall enough. I have the sight run all the way down on the one I have now and it's not to point of aim. I know where to hold, but wish I had a taller front sight on it.

[eastwood44mag]

Check state laws first. Some states effectively outlaw cap and ball revolvers, by requiring sabots of 200+ grains, etc.

Ruger makes the most reliable. Remington replica's are a lot friendlier on the budget. Either way, get a .45.

[Oldnamvet]

State law for Michigan, from the DNR website:
"Muzzleloading Deer Seasons
During the December muzzleloading seasons, muzzleloading deer hunters can use only a muzzleloading rifle or muzzleloading shotgun or black power handgun loaded with black powder or a commercially manufactured black powder substitute"

I cut and pasted this so the "black power" typo is theirs alone.:D

[Otony]

say, I have a SS Old Army with 7.5" barrel, and adjustable sights that is NIB for sale, lookee hyar:

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=168682

I will sell you the Old Army for $375 shipped.

[Spiggy]

Shameless plug!

http://www.gunsamerica.com/guns/976660978.htm

:D

[MCgunner]

Shameless plug!

http://www.gunsamerica.com/guns/976660978.htm

:D

WOW, that gun is purty! :D Couple more cylinders and I could go around playing "pale rider" with my little .31 replica stuffed in the belt. :D

[1911JMB]

say, I have a SS Old Army with 7.5" barrel, and adjustable sights that is NIB for sale, lookee hyar:

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=168682

I will sell you the Old Army for $375 shipped.

I have an even better offer, but only to myself. There is a store in Michigan called "Guns Galore" which has a used 7.5" stainless Old Army in stock for 200 dollars. If they still have it on saturday, it will become mine.