Some desert fun with the Single Six

ECVMatt · Nov 28, 2021

After reading a couple of threads here about the Ruger Single Six, I decided it was time to take mine up to the desert for some plinking.

My son and I were heading up to the Owens Valley to do some bird hunting so we packed a couple of extra guns to do some plinking and stopped at one of our shooting spots on the way up.

We were mainly shooting our old pumpkins from Halloween/Thanksgiving so this is not really an accuracy report, but I can tell you it worked well on the pumpkins! Although the .22 Mag from the Single Six burns a lot of its powder outside of the barrel, it inflicted noticeably more damage to the pumpkins. The .22 LR just poked holes through it but the .22 Mag was blowing off chunks. Not very scientific, but it was very easy to see the difference.

Here are some pictures of the my old Single Six, a Catch22 ammo holder, and the .22 Mag in all its glory.

They are great little guns and a ton of fun to shoot!

Zebraranger · Nov 28, 2021

The Single Six is a fun gun. I only have two 22's in my collection, and the Single Six is one of the two and just a joy to shoot. Nice pics by the way.

Seedy Character · Nov 28, 2021

Anytime my 10yo grandson is around, he asks, " when are we going to MY gun? "

Single Sixes are Da Bomb

Looks like y'all had any awesome day.

JCooperfan1911 · Nov 28, 2021

There are some personal defense .22 WMR loads out now specifically optimized for handgun.

Loaded in a Single Six you have a potent trail gun capable of everything from squirrel to rabbits loaded with Longs to self defense against human attackers with Magnum.

Riomouse911 · Nov 28, 2021

ECVMatt said:
After reading a couple of threads here about the Ruger Single Six, I decided it was time to take mine up to the desert for some plinking.

My son and I were heading up to the Owens Valley to do some bird hunting so we packed a couple of extra guns to do some plinking and stopped at one of our shooting spots on the way up.

We were mainly shooting our old pumpkins from Halloween/Thanksgiving so this is not really an accuracy report, but I can tell you it worked well on the pumpkins! Although the .22 Mag from the Single Six burns a lot of its powder outside of the barrel, it inflicted noticeably more damage to the pumpkins. The .22 LR just poked holes through it but the .22 Mag was blowing off chunks. Not very scientific, but it was very easy to see the difference.

Here are some pictures of the my old Single Six, a Catch22 ammo holder, and the .22 Mag in all its glory.

View attachment 1040665

View attachment 1040666

View attachment 1040667

They are great little guns and a ton of fun to shoot!

Were you down by the Poverty Hills between Independence and Big Pine? The rocks look a bit like some of the outcroppings in that area.

Love the Single Six convertibles, since I also have a wrangler I usually keep the WMR cylinder on the SS. :thumbup:

The CCI Maxi-mags and Winchester Supreme 40 gr JHP’s both shoot well through my 6.5” specimen.

JCooperfan1911 said:
There are some personal defense .22 WMR loads out now specifically optimized for handgun.

Loaded in a Single Six you have a potent trail gun capable of everything from squirrel to rabbits loaded with Longs to self defense against human attackers with Magnum.

I have some of the Critical Defense .22 WMR left, it shoots very well through my Model 48’s (4” and 6”) as well as my Ruger American rifle. :thumbup:

Sadly I am down to my last 150 of them, with no idea when or if I’ll ever see any again, so I don’t shoot many of them anymore.

I agree that for loading in a trail gun they would be pretty universal for food/pests/defense duties.

Stay safe.

cfullgraf · Nov 29, 2021

I've had my Single Six since 1980. It has been integral part of my inventory. Sounds like the OP had a good time in the desert with his son.

ECVMatt · Nov 29, 2021

Riomouse911 said:
Were you down by the Poverty Hills between Independence and Big Pine? The rocks look a bit like some of the outcroppings in that area.

WOW, you nailed it! That is exactly where we were. We were just north of the dolomite mines off of RTE 136.

I have about 200 rounds of the Critical Defense .22 mag, but am afraid to shoot any for the same reason. I do have a box that I take on my overnights to load into the Ruger for self-defense if needed. It is pretty calm out there so its more for my piece of mind. I have used this load to take an unsuspecting jackrabbit before the lead ban and when this ammo was more plentiful. It dropped them on the spot and had consistent dime sized exit wounds.

My go to .22 mag is some old PMC 40 JSP's. Sportsman Guide had a great sale on them about 10 years ago and I bought an obscene amount. It seemed silly at the time but I haven't really bought any .22 Mag since. I just checked the ammo locker and I am down to about 400 rounds. Hopefully this ammo thing will even out here soon and I can replenish.

ThomasT · Nov 29, 2021

ECVMatt said:
My go to .22 mag is some old PMC 40 JSP's. Sportsman Guide had a great sale on them about 10 years ago and I bought an obscene amount.

I did the same thing when they had Armscor 22 mag soft point and FMJ for $5.65 a box. I bought 4,000 rounds of it.

Nice looking shooting spot. I have two SS rugers one made in 1961 and the other around 2010. Those are some of the best handguns a person can own. I also have two of them in 32 mag. I really enjoy shooting those.

.45Coltguy · Dec 1, 2021

Riomouse911 said:
Were you down by the Poverty Hills between Independence and Big Pine? The rocks look a bit like some of the outcroppings in that area.

Love the Single Six convertibles, since I also have a wrangler I usually keep the WMR cylinder on the SS. The CCI Maxi-mags and Winchester Supreme 40 gr JHP’s both shoot well through my 6.5” specimen.

I have some of the Critical Defense .22 WMR left, it shoots very well through my Model 48’s (4” and 6”) as well as my Ruger American rifle. Sadly I am down to my last 150 of them, with no idea when or if I’ll ever see any again, so I don’t shoot many of them anymore.

View attachment 1040806

I agree that for loading in a trail gun they would be pretty universal for food/pests/defense duties.

Stay safe.

Dang, ECVMatt and you hang out/know that area! Cannot tell you how many times I've been in the area. It is one of my spots[real close, anyway] to where I go for the dove opener.
Wonderful and beautiful area that Owens Valley. I've always liked the Taboose Crk area.

BreechFace · Dec 1, 2021

@Riomouse911 @ECVMatt @.45Coltguy

that’s a beautiful area, I’m partial to north of there. June Lake loop, Crowley Lake area.

What a shame they are all in California.

ECVMatt · Dec 1, 2021

BreechFace said:
@Riomouse911 @ECVMatt @.45Coltguy

that’s a beautiful area, I’m partial to north of there. June Lake loop, Crowley Lake area.

What a shame they are all in California.

I have been going up there since the 1968, well actually 1967. I was in my mom's belly at the time, so I am not sure if that counts. My dad ran the lifeguard boat on Crowley lake during the summers so we would move the family from the beach to the quonset huts in the city yard behind the Green Church on Benton Crossing Road.

I have been fishing, shooting, and hunting up there pretty solid since the 1980's. I love the whole area from Darwin up to Nevada. I am pretty sure I could drive my truck from Helendale to Tahoe and be on dirt roads 99% of the time.

It is a great area with tons of history, hunting, and fishing. I wish I could move the state border over to the west side of the Sierras.

In the early 90's I met some locals out in the Saline Valley and they brought me into E. Clampus Vitus. My chapter is 395 out of Bishop. Those guys knew every nook and cranny of the Whites and the Sierras and showed me so many great spots.

There is still lots of fun to be had up there even if it is in CA.

ECVMatt · Dec 1, 2021

.45Coltguy said:
Dang, ECVMatt and you hang out/know that area! Cannot tell you how many times I've been in the area. It is one of my spots[real close, anyway] to where I go for the dove opener.
Wonderful and beautiful area that Owens Valley. I've always liked the Taboose Crk area.

Along time ago we built up a spring in the Saline Valley using an old bathtub. It was a chore getting it out there, but once it was in it was a magnet for dove, quail and especailly chukar. We would head out there each year to hunt deer and upland game. We had such a great time. Unfortunately we were not the only ones who found the spring and when the government expanded Death Valley 1994 they moved the border just over our spring. That was the end of hunting out there.

We also had some good spots by Darwin, almost to the Barker Ranch. That got taken too. I am all for protecting the desert, but the 94 expansion was out of control.

Anyways, there are still lots of good spots in the Owens and I enjoy hunting there.

Cheers!

Riomouse911 · Dec 1, 2021

ECVMatt said:
I have been going up there since the 1968, well actually 1967. I was in my mom's belly at the time, so I am not sure if that counts. My dad ran the lifeguard boat on Crowley lake during the summers so we would move the family from the beach to the quonset huts in the city yard behind the Green Church on Benton Crossing Road.

I have been fishing, shooting, and hunting up there pretty solid since the 1980's. I love the whole area from Darwin up to Nevada. I am pretty sure I could drive my truck from Helendale to Tahoe and be on dirt roads 99% of the time.

It is a great area with tons of history, hunting, and fishing. I wish I could move the state border over to the west side of the Sierras.

In the early 90's I met some locals out in the Saline Valley and they brought me into E. Clampus Vitus. My chapter is 395 out of Bishop. Those guys knew every nook and cranny of the Whites and the Sierras and showed me so many great spots.

There is still lots of fun to be had up there even if it is in CA.

I know a few of the Slim Princess ECV guys, plus my friends bought Tom’s Place in 2000 so I have a reason or three to head up every year.

I’ve run my SxS just about everywhere you can in the upper Owens: from the Nevada side of Antelope peak to the old stage stop where the wild horse herd roams E of Hwy 120, down to Chalfant, up and over the Whites (using Silver Canyon) to the bristlecones.

I’ve gone all through Casa Diablo and the Tablelands over the top of Glass Mountain and around Crowley.

Here are a couple of my favorite pics taken of the
solidified ash in the shoreline when Crowley was low.

On the West side; through the Tungstens and Buttermilk’s, all through Coyote Flats above Lake Sabrina and all down the valley floor past Tinnemaha and Independence.

I found a nice guzzler in Black Canyon that was set up to water birds, but I haven’t seen any down there to know if it’s a popular one.

Best. Place. Ever.
Stay safe.

1KPerDay · Dec 2, 2021

Zebraranger said:
The Single Six is a fun gun. I only have two 22's in my collection, and the Single Six is one of the two and just a joy to shoot. Nice pics by the way.
View attachment 1040678

What’s the other one?

Zebraranger · Dec 2, 2021

1KPerDay said:
What’s the other one?

Its a 2004 USA Shooting Team Ruger MK II with a 5.5" slab side barrel and fiber optic sight.

Riomouse911 · Dec 2, 2021

Zebraranger said:
Its a 2004 USA Shooting Team Ruger MK II with a 5.5" slab side barrel and fiber optic sight.
View attachment 1041351

You’ve got a nice couple of Rugers! :thumbup:

Stay safe.

ECVMatt · Dec 2, 2021

Riomouse911 said:
I know a few of the Slim Princess ECV guys, plus my friends bought Tom’s Place in 2000 so I have a reason or three to head up every year.

I’ve run my SxS just about everywhere you can in the upper Owens: from the Nevada side of Antelope peak to the old stage stop where the wild horse herd roams E of Hwy 120, down to Chalfant, up and over the Whites (using Silver Canyon) to the bristlecones.

View attachment 1041337

I’ve gone all through Casa Diablo and the Tablelands over the top of Glass Mountain and around Crowley.

Here are a couple of my favorite pics taken of the
solidified ash in the shoreline when Crowley was low.

View attachment 1041333 View attachment 1041336 View attachment 1041334 View attachment 1041335

On the West side; through the Tungstens and Buttermilk’s, all through Coyote Flats above Lake Sabrina and all down the valley floor past Tinnemaha and Independence.

View attachment 1041338 View attachment 1041339 View attachment 1041342

I found a nice guzzler in Black Canyon that was set up to water birds, but I haven’t seen any down there to know if it’s a popular one.

Best. Place. Ever.
Stay safe.

That is too funny! We must have crossed paths up there at some point. Tom's Place is where I like to go after a successful deer hunt for a cold beer. Coyote is my favorite summer spot. It is alway cool up there regardless of how hot it is in the valley. I love to catch Goldens at Baker Creek and I got a nice 3x3 and my biggest coyote ever up there by Coyote Lake.

My favorite fall run is Saline Valley Road from the 190 north to Deep Springs then Wyman Canyon to the ABC forest and then down Silver Canyon to Rusty's! We usually do this over a few days and just put, put along enjoying the solitude and scenery.

Just to prevent thread drift, the last time I did the Saline Valley route I did have my SS with me.

Glad to hear that others love that area as much as I do.

Cheers,

Matt

Riomouse911 · Dec 2, 2021

Mine rides with me on all my runs up there, the perfect trail revolver for sure.,

Sooner or later I’ll get a 16” 1894 trapper or Youth model 336Y .30-30 to ride in a scabbard on the SxS.

If we haven’t crossed paths in the past, I’m sure we will in the future., :thumbup:

Stay safe.

.45Coltguy · Dec 6, 2021

ECVMatt said:
That is too funny! We must have crossed paths up there at some point. Tom's Place is where I like to go after a successful deer hunt for a cold beer. Coyote is my favorite summer spot. It is alway cool up there regardless of how hot it is in the valley. I love to catch Goldens at Baker Creek and I got a nice 3x3 and my biggest coyote ever up there by Coyote Lake.

My favorite fall run is Saline Valley Road from the 190 north to Deep Springs then Wyman Canyon to the ABC forest and then down Silver Canyon to Rusty's! We usually do this over a few days and just put, put along enjoying the solitude and scenery.

Just to prevent thread drift, the last time I did the Saline Valley route I did have my SS with me.

Glad to hear that others love that area as much as I do.

Cheers,

Matt

Matt, I've taken Wyman Cyn Rd. from 168 up into the ABC area. Beautiful drive, glad we had 4WD. That is some wild, open country up there. We would set up deer camp either above Crooked Creek or down in Grandview. Been a while since I've been up there. May have to venture back and take my .45 Colt Taylor's with me. Good times up there.

ECVMatt · Dec 6, 2021

Sounds like it is time for a Rendezvous. I have been fixing up a Marlin 336 LTS and have it ready to go. It was missing some internal parts and the originalinal stock with developing a crack by the pistol grip. I bought the internals from Brownells and found a take-off straight grip stock from a shop in Canada. It is definitely an amalgamation of parts, but it came out great and I wanted a shooter not a collector. Since it is a shorty, I put a Marbles bullseye sight on it. I have also been thinking about taking my Ruger convertibles for mega-caliber comparison.

I think a .45 Colt it the perfect mountain handgun caliber.

Merle1 · Dec 6, 2021

ECVMatt said:
After reading a couple of threads here about the Ruger Single Six, I decided it was time to take mine up to the desert for some plinking.

My son and I were heading up to the Owens Valley to do some bird hunting so we packed a couple of extra guns to do some plinking and stopped at one of our shooting spots on the way up.

We were mainly shooting our old pumpkins from Halloween/Thanksgiving so this is not really an accuracy report, but I can tell you it worked well on the pumpkins! Although the .22 Mag from the Single Six burns a lot of its powder outside of the barrel, it inflicted noticeably more damage to the pumpkins. The .22 LR just poked holes through it but the .22 Mag was blowing off chunks. Not very scientific, but it was very easy to see the difference.

Here are some pictures of the my old Single Six, a Catch22 ammo holder, and the .22 Mag in all its glory.

View attachment 1040665

View attachment 1040666

View attachment 1040667

They are great little guns and a ton of fun to shoot!

I have a 9 1/2" single six, so it really doesn't flash much.

Barbaroja · Dec 7, 2021

I spent some time living in Ridgecrest as a kid. Dad was stationed at the China Lake Naval Air Station. Some of my favorite memories of my childhood were cruising around the mountains and desert in the jeep. The eastern sierras are are beautiful place.

To keep on topic I believe the single six will be my next revolver I purchase. I love .22s and I love ruger revolvers.

flyingtiger85 · Dec 7, 2021

Did you say Single-Six and desert fun.I agree!

I have only used the 22lr.cylinder once or twice.22 magnums are just more fun.

Armored farmer · Dec 7, 2021

Riomouse911 said:
Sooner or later I’ll get a 16” 1894 trapper or Youth model 336Y .30-30 to ride in a scabbard on the SxS.

Yup.
Here's my trusty ol' 94 SRC Winchester in 30-30....... :neener:

(I've only had it a few months and still haven't fired it......)
It rides with me in my sxs......
(I don't have a sxs, but do have a jeep)

No mountain trails or valleys to explore around here....but we do catch a few trout...

(not really a trout, but a nice crappie...especially for Dec 5th.)
And now my admission to this thread...
circa 1974.....and the original hunter holster

5½ inch ruger SSS.

And a little candy for you gearheads...

.45Coltguy · Dec 7, 2021

Armored farmer said:
Yup.
Here's my trusty ol' 94 SRC Winchester in 30-30.......
View attachment 1042354
(I've only had it a few months and still haven't fired it......)
It rides with me in my sxs......
(I don't have a sxs, but do have a jeep)
View attachment 1042355
No mountain trails or valleys to explore around here....but we do catch a few trout...
View attachment 1042356(not really a trout, but a nice crappie...especially for Dec 5th.)
And now my admission to this thread...
circa 1974.....and the original hunter holster View attachment 10423595½ inch ruger SSS.

And a little candy for you gearheads...View attachment 1042360 View attachment 1042361

I have that exact Hunter holster for my old Blackhawk.357 and it fits my Taylor's .45 Colt just fine! Hunter #1100 48. Funny lookin' crappie/trout there. Had me going there for a bit.

Some desert fun with the Single Six

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