The RUGER OLD ARMY Club

[eastbank]

my pre prefix ruger girls are shameless and love to have their pictures taken, for any and all reasons. eastbank proud roa member 14.

[ClemBert]

ROA Club Members:

1. ClemBert 2. Eights 3. kanook 4. kwhi43@kc.rr.com 5. mykeal
6. adaptandovercome 7. 461 8. junkman_01 9. lonewolf5347 10. rcflint
11. MCgunner 12.madcratebuilder 13. AbitNutz 14. eastbank 15. robert garner
16. philuk44 17. HUnter58 18. arcticap 19. BullRunBear 20. theotherwaldo
21. SC Slowhand 22. Prairie Dawg 23. wittzo 24. Tallbald 25. Smokin_Gun
26. OB One 27. jungle 28. plumbernater 29. daveinvegas 30. JanZ
31. George Mabry 32. Benmathes 33. Loosenock 34. higene 35. Rock Island
36. Erich 37. robhof 38. J-Bar 39. Nomad, 2nd 40. TAURUSBOB
41. martindl99 42. Vermonter 43. wasatch 44. fogg64 45. BConklin
46. Howdy Doody 47. bushrod2 48. rdstrain49 49. FirinFlatTop 50. rem1858
51. straight-shooter 52. edorfox 53. KevininPa 54. Ringo1234 55. pohill
56. The Don 57. jeepcoma 58. Dave Markowitz 59. Chazz 60. andrewstorm
61. Steel Wheels 62. Legionnaire 63. NineMilePete 64. 94RUGER 65. Acorn Mush
66. R.Ganister 67. Boom-stick 68. Buddy 69. Ghost Dog

Welcome Ghost Dog!

[TAURUSBOB]

Hi Ghost Dog.......Clements custom gun did the work on this one.

Bob

[94RUGER]

Gotta ask why you had it cut down to a snub nose. Just curious.

[TAURUSBOB]

Hi 94 RUGER,

I have seven ROA's, four are 7 1/2" two are 5 1/2" and one 3 1/2".
I like the Colt sheriff's model so I thought I would make a Ruger sheriff model.
It is a fun gun to shoot and at 15yrds it's awesome. With a ACP 45cal. Kirst conversion cylinder in it with 230 gr JHP. I have to thank David at Clements custom guns he did all the work on it for me.

Bob

[Legionnaire]

No relation to the seller, but there's a nice Bianchi flap holster available on Gunbroker.

[HUnter58]

Adopted two new members into my ROA family. Decided to make them feel special. Added stainless grip frames and new grips.

[ClemBert]

Those look great. What kind of effort went into fitting those grip frames. Grinding, sanding, polishing?

[HUnter58]

Very little was needed. One was almost a perfect fit and the other one needed some work on the ears behind the hammer. About an hour with file and polish.

[BML]

I hope this comes through. I purchased this a week ago in England at an English price of £475.00

[BML]

When I found the ROA forum I saw that the first page was a series of photographs and did not find questions untill a page or so later so I hope I am using the correct way to get onto the ROA forum but if not please tell which it is.
I have a new ROA and am a trifle confused as to the correct loading so would someone please offer me some advice on the following questions:
1. How many grains?
2. Should one use a filler and if which one and how much?
3. Should one aim to set the ball 1/16 below the top of the cylinder of does it matter if its 1/4 below?

[mykeal]

BML,

Welcome to the forum. The 'correct' way to join the THR ROA Club is to post a picture of your ROA, which you have done. The Club 'president', scrat, will be along later to add your name to the list, but fear not, you are already a member.

1. How many grains?

The optimum load can actually vary from gun to gun as it depends on your own personal technique for loading; it involves the amount of force used to ram the ball and thus compress the powder, and the idiosyncrasies of your powder measure. Thus it's something you'll need to find out for yourself - that's the fun part, getting to shoot the gun. However, most of us find anywhere from 25 to 30 grains is pretty good, and even full chamber loads aren't bad.

2. Should one use a filler and if which one and how much?

Again, a personal choice thing. I don't use filler. The of an inert filler is to move the ball closer to the chamber mouth; some folks feel the closer the ball is to the mouth, the more accurate the load is. I have not personally been able to verify that claim - I don't shoot well enough that the small effect that has on accuracy is apparent in my groups. Try it and see how it works. How much depends on how much powder you're using and how close to the chamber mouth you want the ball to be.

3. Should one aim to set the ball 1/16 below the top of the cylinder of does it matter if its 1/4 below?

Same answer as above. If you shoot well enough that you can tell the effect of ball placement in the chamber on accuracy, you need to work out the best location by shooting several rounds varying the placement. No one single answer is right for everyone. Get thee to the range and start shooting.

[ClemBert]

ROA Club Members:

1. ClemBert 2. Eights 3. kanook 4. kwhi43@kc.rr.com 5. mykeal
6. adaptandovercome 7. 461 8. junkman_01 9. lonewolf5347 10. rcflint
11. MCgunner 12.madcratebuilder 13. AbitNutz 14. eastbank 15. robert garner
16. philuk44 17. HUnter58 18. arcticap 19. BullRunBear 20. theotherwaldo
21. SC Slowhand 22. Prairie Dawg 23. wittzo 24. Tallbald 25. Smokin_Gun
26. OB One 27. jungle 28. plumbernater 29. daveinvegas 30. JanZ
31. George Mabry 32. Benmathes 33. Loosenock 34. higene 35. Rock Island
36. Erich 37. robhof 38. J-Bar 39. Nomad, 2nd 40. TAURUSBOB
41. martindl99 42. Vermonter 43. wasatch 44. fogg64 45. BConklin
46. Howdy Doody 47. bushrod2 48. rdstrain49 49. FirinFlatTop 50. rem1858
51. straight-shooter 52. edorfox 53. KevininPa 54. Ringo1234 55. pohill
56. The Don 57. jeepcoma 58. Dave Markowitz 59. Chazz 60. andrewstorm
61. Steel Wheels 62. Legionnaire 63. NineMilePete 64. 94RUGER 65. Acorn Mush
66. R.Ganister 67. Boom-stick 68. Buddy 69. Ghost Dog 70. BML

Welcome BML to the ROA Club!

Originally Posted by BML

When I found the ROA forum I saw that the first page was a series of photographs and did not find questions untill a page or so later so I hope I am using the correct way to get onto the ROA forum but if not please tell which it is.

The THR Blackpowder Shooting Forum is for the discussion of all things blackpowder related but this specific thread is for all things on the Ruger Old Army revolver. It's the place to post pics, videos, questions, comments etc for the ROA. So, you're in the right place. Theoretically, the 69 members of the ROA Club prior to you are subscribed to this thread and can respond to any questions or comments about the ROA.

I have a new ROA and am a trifle confused as to the correct loading so would someone please offer me some advice on the following questions:

1. How many grains?
2. Should one use a filler and if which one and how much?
3. Should one aim to set the ball 1/16 below the top of the cylinder of does it matter if its 1/4 below?

All the answers to your questions are going to be opinions based on observations, experience, or preference. So here's my two cents worth (or is that two pence worth? ).

IMHO, 20 grains is certainly on the low side however you could go lower if you really wanted to. Just make sure the ball is always in good contact with the powder. If you need to use fillers to make sure there isn't an air gap then do so. Personally, I like to keep my BP charges at 30 grains and above. Stuffing 40 grains (or as much is you can get in there) is always fun for maximum smoke-n-boom effect.

You don't "have to" use fillers. Fillers are great if you need to take up some space to eliminate air gaps because you are using a small BP charge and the plunger just won't seat the ball low enough to make contact with the powder. Some people feel that accuracy is improved if the ball is closer to the forcing cone but that's a matter of opinion and debate. Personally, I like to use lubricated felt wads primarily to keep the BP residue soft. It has nothing to do with using them as filler or moving the ball closer to the forcing cone in my case. I like lubricated felt wads much more than the idea of smearing grease/veggie oil over the top of the ball. That my friend is just too messy for me.

Unless you are an ultra sharp shootin' cowboy it is unlikely you'll notice any difference with regards to how close the ball is to the forcing cone. As many here will admit the ROA is generally much more accurate than the person discharging said firearm.

[robhof]

BML, you can go to the Ruger site and get a download of the ROA manuel, with an exploded view and answers to many questions. I found the freeway to do it only after bidding on one on Ebasy.

[Eights]

Stag & Leather. A friend of mine made the holster this spring, and I have been waiting for some time for the elk stag grips. I can't wait to try the grips!

[Legionnaire]

Eights, those grips look great!

[Eights]

Thanks... and very comfy too!

[arcticap]

That holster is a beautiful piece of work too!

[Eights]

The holster was done by a friend of mine who primarily does saddles, but does anything really. He has done some knife leather for me as well. His prices are good and he's local, not to mention a friend of mine. His name is Dave Nay if anyone is interested.

My favorite leather guys (so far) are Dave Nay and Rowe's Leather in AR.

[jeepcoma]

Sure is a beauty!

[ClemBert]

Eights,

Nice holster! One of these days I'm going to stock up on holsters. With all the handguns I own I have yet to buy a holster. Even with a CCW permit I don't carry on my person therefore don't use a holster. I'm gonna have to change that. Your friend does purty work.

[Eights]

ClemBert,

Thanks. I'll pass the word on to Mr. Nay. My ROA is pretty fun to carry. Though I have a CCW as well, I live in an open carry state. I have had her on my hip camping a few times. The only thing that makes me nervous is the capped round on the outside. When the hammer is in the safe notch, the outside cap is more exposed than I would like. My two ROAs are the only wheel guns I currently own. It's a whole different feeling than carrying a small pistol.

Though I don't carry open in the city (currently legal, but begging for trouble), I have open carried on my own property and in my home if I know I'm going to be around for awhile. I don't carry loaded at home as there is only one easy way to unload it, but I do get a kick out of answering the door with the gun at my side.

I don't open carry when the neighbor kids are over, but I am regularly tempted to - for their benefit of course. I'm usually alone, and I am usually only carrying to admire a new piece of leather, bone, wood or steel.

My first OA holster was simply an 1858 Cabela's job for about $20 that the guy told me stretch enough. Nope. Now I'm trying to talk my brother into getting an 1858 during the Cabela's sale so I can give him the holster.

[Legionnaire]

Well, all you ROA fans, I'm officially starting the hunt for a 5.5" specimen. If'n any of you have one you're thinking about parting with, drop me a PM. Same if you run across one for sale that you're not thinking of snatching up yourself. I'd be happy to trade into one, or buy one straight out. I'm looking for a shooter, not a collectible ... NIB would be fine if not ridiculously priced, but a reasonably priced shooter would be just the ticket. Thanks!

[Eights]

Been looking casually for one myself... I missed out on a NIB model a few years ago at a great price.

[R.Ganister]

I recently sold my ROA to another member of this forum, and later I looked at another ROA, 71/2" w/fixed sights for about 160 dollars more than I sold mine, and the thing was filthy whereas mine was near mint and with adjustable sights. I hope I can find another one like my first one, although a clean, well maintained or lightly used roa of any style would suit me just fine.