Accuracy of the Ruger Single Six?

[stash]

Thinking about a 22 revolver and looking at the single six. One question though, I am worried about the accuracy of the single six. I called Ruger and talked to a service rep and he did say it’s bored toward the 22 M and the 22M would have better accuracy than the 22lr. The reason why I want a 22 is because it fun and cheap to shoot. To those who have a single six and have shot both the 22lr and 22m have you noticed a significant difference in accuracy? I wish Ruger would make a plain old 22lr with no conversion cylinders. I did check the Bearcat but I think it's too small for me.

Thanks!!

Stash

 

[MADDOG]

Look for an Old Model. I have a 1958 Single-Six that shoots just fine.

 

[OldMac]

I just got one with both cylinders but haven't had a chance to shoot it yet. I don't expect either to be great but should be good cheap fun. Paid $357 used but LNIB. It was impulsive so I didn't have a chance to compare prices but it seemed fair for the quality.

 

[WC145]

Don't worry about it, they are plenty accurate, especially for a fun gun. Great for plinking, small game, etc. In fact, like most modern guns, a Single Six, using either cylinder, is likely to be more accurate than it's owner.

 

[notbubba]

WC145 wrote:

In fact, like most modern guns, a Single Six, using either cylinder, is likely to be more accurate than it's owner.

That's true of my guns, :banghead:
But I've seen a lot of guys at the range that don't belive it about theirs.

 

[BullRunBear]

I have both an Old Model and the newer version. The Old Model does better with 22LR and the newer with 22 mag. The differences are noticable but not huge. I generally prefer the Old Model/flattops and shoot them better but that is just me. However, as has been said with depressing accuracy, they will both shoot better than I can.

For serious bullseye work I break out the S&W K-22 with the 8" barrel or the Ruger Mk II competition model. Ain't it nice to have choices?

Jeff

 

[45Frank]

This is as accurate as any .22 i've ever shot.

 

[woad_yurt]

I dunno. My H&R is more accurate than my friend's Single Six. We both shot both guns and had better results with mine.

I once had an old flat top Magnum Model and that was a tack driver but it was a magnum-only gun. In the .22LR accuracy department, the few Single Sixes I've tried (all convertibles) left a little to be desired.

 

[madcratebuilder]

If you take the time to shoot different brands of ammo and find what that particular revolver likes, the odds are high that it well out shoot your abilities.

 

[nulfisin]

It is accurate in both calibers. Technically, the tolerances do have to be engineered for the mag. In the real world, I'd be surprised if many people are good enough to notice the difference -- I sure can't.

 

[evan price]

My Single Six shoots as well as a Colt New Frontier somebody let me borrow at the range. I have no complaints!

 

[CajunBass]

Always buy guns "everybody" says are "inaccurate".

That way you can blame the gun when YOU miss.

My Single-Six shoots a LOT better than I do with LR. I've never fired the magnun cylinder so I can't tell you about that one.

You mention the Bearcat. I've got one of them too. GREAT little gun to carry around in the woods, and shooting off a rest it's as accurate as anything I've ever owned. BUT...it's hard to shoot in the field. Short sight radius, small sights, heavy trigger, and small grip that makes it hard to get a consistent grip all combine to make it difficult to shoot well. But it sure is fun.

 

[Confederate]

There's a guy who makes a device that you can put over the bullet and case and tap with a mallet, and it will make the bullet just a tad larger. It also can alter the bullet to various configurations, including making hollow-points and posts-in-hollow-point.

Can't recall the name of the fellow who sells it, but it gets very good reviews For owners of revolvers, it's very nice. Works with autos, too.

Can someone help me out?

Regarding Single-Six accuracy, you're worrying too much, perhaps. These guns have routinely bagged rabbits and all sorts of other small game. If you're a stickler, get one of those bullet tappers. I'll see if I can't get you a link.

Added: Ah, here's a link. Try this:

http://www.303british.com/id61.html

 

[Al Thompson]

Confed, I think you mean Paco Kelly.

 

[Ed Harris]

Look for an older Model. Expect to pay $500 or so for a nice clean one. See:
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/content/community/gun_inventory/inventory/reno/handgun/1363665_ruger.jsp?categoryId=SEARCH_gl

I have an older model Bearcat which averages 2 inches for a long series of 6-shot groups at 20 yards off sandbags. It shoots dead on with CCI Mini-Mag. hollowpoints, but other types and brands of ammo shoot a bit high and left. That's the drawback with a fixed sight gun.

Later transfer bar model Single-Sixes have barrels optimized for .22 WMR and won't do any better than 3 inches at 25 yards with .22 LR. I tried one of Paco's Maxi-4 tools and while it helps expansion of lead HP bullets in the revolver, it didn't help accuracy any for me. My Colt Cobra .22 revolver with 3 inch barrel will shoot 2-1/2 inches at 25 yards with selected ammo that it likes.

Any of my several S&W Models 30, 31 and old Hand Ejector .32 S&W Long revolvers will shoot 2 inches or better at 25 yards with wadcutters or good handloads and are more effective on small game than a .22 LR. The .32 Popguns are fun to shoot, are not hungry for powder and lead and often bargains on the used market because people think they are too small for defense. http://www.castbulletassoc.org/forum/view_topic.php?id=478&forum_id=59

But as a small game gun there is nothing better. My advice would be to seek out a Single Six chambered in the .32 H&R Magnum caliber. It will shoot accurately with either .32 S&W Long or .32 H&R Magnum ammo, and when handloaded is one of the very best trail guns there is.

 

[deputy tom]

Mine shoots just as well with either cylinder.I've read the stories and expected better accuracy with the mag cylinder but was happily supprized when I did well with both.YMMV.tom.

 

[dbb1776]

Me and my dad hit a 12 inch target on purpose at 100 yards, from a bench. He has a Three screw converted to transfer safety, I have a new model with the grooved rear sight, like the Vaquero.
The only time had poor accuracy was when I switched from 22lr to 22mag. Then I cleaned it and both shot great again.
Buy a single six then a boresnake and have fun.