Got to shoot a Rossi Circuit Judge...

[John Wayne]

Has anyone else shot one of these, or has the OP had a chance to test it at 100 yards? I held one in the store the other day and really like the uniqueness of the gun as well as the handling. To me it seems to make the perfect truck/camping/brush hunting gun, but the 100 yard requirement is going to be a deal breaker for me.


Also, being a rifle, can it handle .45 Colt +P ammo, or the "Ruger/Contender only" .45 Colt loads? I'd heard Taurus had plans for a .454 or .460 Judge, and that would really make for a versatile carbine. The cylinder looked waaaay too thin for me to want to set off a hot .45 round though.

My first impressions, haivng held but not shot one:
I have also not been particularly impressed with Taurus products in the past, and from what I've read, Rossi is a step below even them. The gun I held was decently fitted though, and the bluing looked nice. Stock was terrible, but could be easily refinished. Price point seems about $150 too high. Trigger and timing are better than I thought it would be. As a DA revolver shooter, I prefer this carbine to a lever action as it seems much quicker and lighter.

All said, if it can shoot a decent 100 yard group and handle warmer loads, I'd probably go buy one.

 

[griff383]

I loaded some hot loads for his 6" judge and thats what we shot through the circuit judge and it handled them just fine. He can pull 2-3" groups at 35-40 yards with the pistol so Im guessing by tripleing the length of the barrel 100 yard groups with the right ammo will be ok.

 

[John Wayne]

Just curious, but what do you consider "hot" loads? Max standard pressure loads? +P? Ruger/Contender only?

 

[griff383]

Got to shoot a Circuit Judge from the Bench..

I finally got to shoot my father-in-laws Circuit Judge from the bench this last week and thought I would share results because some had asked for shots at 100 yards on paper.

The sight used was a red dot, I didnt catch the make / model but it looked similar to a Tasco Propoint.

First we put it on paper at 50 yards to sight in with 45LC loads. He started using some weak cowboy loads just to get it close, once that was done we did a few 3 shot groups just to see if they would group at all, they didnt do so well. They were all in a 8-10" circle, but again they were weak lead cowboy loads and we kind of expected this.

Second we put some Hornady Leverloution 225 grain 45LC to see how well they grouped. They stayed in a 2-3" group when we did our part. I imagine one could get 1-2" groups with this ammo and some practice, maybe even smaller.

After that we shot some handloads, 240 grain XTP over 20.4 grains of 2400 with WLP(NOTE: This data was taken directly from Hornady's 7th Edition reloading manual and is for T/C and Ruger ONLY i.e. STRONG ACTIONS!!) which should be about 1200FPS. They were the same as the Hornadys as far as accuracy and recoil are concerned.

We went to 100 yards next and before we put up paper (we had to wait for an all clear to put up targets) we decided to see if we could ring the 10" gong. First shot hit the dirt just below it so I told him to aim about 8" high and the next shot rang the gong.

He tried both the Hornady and handloads on paper and did pretty good, his shots were all in a 10-12" circle but I think that has something to do with him not shooting much in the last few years. My wife sat down and shot two rounds (not sure which rounds because he loaded the rifle), and both holes were touching 3" low of bullseye and dead center. I shot two of the handloads and again both holes were touching 2" low of bullseye dead center. We went out and looked at the next all clear and measured drop, I was aiming at the top of the target and we measured roughly a 10" drop at 100 yards.

Hopefully this answers some of your questions, I had a blast shooting it and now the wife wants one.

 

[goon]

My problem would be two-fold: deciding which version to buy and the price of ammo for either. I'm now curious as to whether the options will be expanded and what you guys think about long term accuracy with putting shot through the rifled barrel.

They do look fun, I think my dad would be lovin one of those.

The price of ammo is not cheap for .45 Colt or .410, but reloading is your friend.
It's a revolver so you won't have an excuse for lost brass.
Magtech makes brass .410 shotshells - some of them are actually on my wishlist.

I've said in a couple other threads I'd be worried about the gun getting out of time eventually (revolvers often do) and shaving lead, which would then go into my hand or wrist (which is a head of the cylinder). Apparently a shield has been fitted to protect the shooter's hand from the hot gases that escape between the cylinder and the barrel, so that may be enough protection. Guess it's a wait and see type of thing.
My other problem - it's made by Taurus. My friend who manages a gunshop told me that he sent most of the Judges he's sold back for repairs. He even tells people that they're likely to malfunction, but people keep spending the money on them. So my other concern (for now) is Taurus's QC.

 

[336A]

After that we shot some handloads, 240 grain XTP over 20.4 grains of 2400 with WLP(NOTE: This data was taken directly from Hornady's 7th Edition reloading manual and is for T/C and Ruger ONLY i.e. STRONG ACTIONS!!) which should be about 1200FPS. They were the same as the Hornadys as far as accuracy and recoil are concerned.

Acording to this review the Circuit Judge is to be shot with standard pressure .45 Colt loads only, I'd adhere to that advice strictly.

http://www.gunblast.com/Taurus-CircuitJudge.htm

 

[griff383]

Thats good info, Ill let him know to keep using the Hornadys only until we get some more info on what , if any, higher pressure loads can be used safely. Thanks

 

[goon]

The problem with the Taurus/high pressure load isn't the load, it's the revolver.
Some loads are listed for T/C and Rugers only because they are the only guns strong enough to handle the pressures. I'd just stick to standard pressure .45 Colt loads for safety.

 

[fireside44]

I'd just stick to standard pressure .45 Colt loads for safety.

Pretty much kills it for me. I'd rather have a nice levergun that can handle Ruger loads than a revolving rifle unable to handle hot loads and is simultaneously a mediocre shotgun.

They need a .454 casull or .460 S&W version for it to be a worthwhile purchase IMO.

 

[griff383]

They need a .454 casull or .460 S&W version for it to be a worthwhile purchase IMO.

Couldnt agree more, me and the in-law talked about how they should have made it a .454casull in the first place. I imagine that will be an offering in the future though as they are supposed to have a handgun version available sometime.

 

[Panzercat]

They need a .454 casull or .460 S&W version for it to be a worthwhile purchase IMO

Motion carried and ratified. I'd be all over this in the 454... The Supreme Court Judge, as it were.

On a side note, how does that funky grip feel when you hold the rifle?

 

[griff383]

I guess I didnt really focus on exactly how the grip felt, but, everyone that held it and shot it really liked it. If it were uncomfortable I would have noticed, I thought it was a very comfortable feel all around with a great balance.

 

[John Wayne]

I would buy one today if they were made in .454/.460. This carbine is truly unique and has great handling and ergonomics. My only reservations are previous experience with Taurus/Rossi and the limits of the standard pressure .45 LC cartridge.

I have virtually no interest in shooting .410 shotgun shells out of it--if they could make the rifle more accurate at the expense of eliminating the shotgun feature I'd be all for it.

Some nicer wood, a tighter/stronger action, removable sight rail and 2-3" groups at 100 yards and I'd say we'd have a winner. Lighter, more compact, and faster than a comparable lever action and it will feed and fire all types of ammo, regardless of bullet shape.

What are the legalities of having such a carbine custom built from a S&W X frame revolver (fitting a barrel and adding a stock)?

 

[MKosak]

Rifled chock for shotgun pellets makes no sense to me

I had the Rossi Circuit Judge (before my tragic boating accident) and I was confused by the instruction manual that said to use the RIFLED choke for the 410 shotgun shells, and use the NON-RIFLED choke for .45 bullets and 410 slugs.

This seems totally opposite to me- Rifling is made to spin solid bullets, which makes them more stable in flight (like a well thrown football spiral)

It seems like you would WANT to use the rifled choke for the solid slugs and the 45 ammo, the opposite of what the instructions say.- what am I missing here?

The rifling on shotgun pellets would tend to send them spinning to a wider pattern (bad for longer distances) wouldn't it?