ROA vs Colt Copy

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In between snowstorms and rainstorms I set up a target and fired off a cylinderful of cowboy loads: 225 LRN with 8 gr Unique. From a two handed rest at 25 yards 5 shots were all touching each other, with one flyer an inch away. This was the first time I've fired a ROA. I'm impressed.:D

The group was about 6 inches above POA and I've got the rear sight all the way down. Looks like I've have to build up the front sight somehow. Too bad the front sight blade isn't a separate piece pinned in place. JB weld time?
 
gunboat57 said:
In between snowstorms and rainstorms I set up a target and fired off a cylinderful of cowboy loads: 225 LRN with 8 gr Unique. From a two handed rest at 25 yards 5 shots were all touching each other, with one flyer an inch away. This was the first time I've fired a ROA. I'm impressed.:D

The group was about 6 inches above POA and I've got the rear sight all the way down. Looks like I've have to build up the front sight somehow. Too bad the front sight blade isn't a separate piece pinned in place. JB weld time?
Click to expand...
A lighter bullet will lower the point of impact, as well as using a round ball in a percussion cylinder. Congratulations on acquiring a good one.
 
My thanks to those who advised me to hold onto this ROA!

Thanks for the links arcticap. I ordered a replacement rear sight blade. Once it gets here I'll see how much I can trim off and still have a decent sight picture. My calculations show I need to lower it about .080" with my present cowboy loads. I can always raise it for when I shoot percussion round ball or faster/lighter 45 Colt.
 
Fer fun I shot my Armi San Paolo 44 Navy today. At 25 yards it started to form a nice group. That is if you don't count the first two shots that were needed for me and the revolver to get used to each other.

44Navy1-27-12.jpg

I'll put a taller front sight on it since it's shooting about 8 inches high. The front of the frame where it joins the barrel may not be square. That could be the cause of the group being left about 4 inches.

All in all, this old clunker shot better than I expected.

I'll still keep my ROA though.

Update: the front of the frame was square. Turns out the hammer nose was bent to the left. Probably happened when I was bending it to lower the hammer nose to improve contact with the nipples. Hammer has been straightened so groups should move to the right, closer to POA. Still need a taller front sight post.
 
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A note to J-Bar, I finally shot the percussion cylinder of my ROA today. 6 shots destroyed the 1.5" bullseye I was aiming at, at 25 yards off a rest. It shot right to the sights with 25 gr vol of FFFg black powder pushing a round ball. This gun is nice!:D

I noticed that with 25 gr of powder the rammer doesn't quite have enough travel to really compress the charge. Next time I'll try 30 gr and see what that does.

Rather than adjusting the sights back and forth for 45 Colt and percussion, I'll just remember to let the top of the front sight rest in the bottom of the rear notch for 45 Colt shooting.
 
Thanks for the update, I'm delighted you are having so much fun!!

Some of us who use ROAs in cowboy action competition, where we typically load 20-25 grains, use a modified rammer. A .44 or .45 caliber brass jag is fitted to the rammer to make it about 1/2" longer, which allows the ball to be seated firmly with smaller powder charges. If you don't want to do this yourself or can't find a cooperative gunsmith, I can give you contact info for the fellow who did mine.

Another trick some folks use is to carry a few .38 caliber bullets with you. After making your initial seating stroke with your rammer, drop a .38 bullet on top of the partially seated ball and make another stroke to seat the ball deeper. The bullet will fall out into your hand when you pull the rammer out.
 
Some of us who use ROAs in cowboy action competition, where we typically load 20-25 grains, use a modified rammer. A .44 or .45 caliber brass jag is fitted to the rammer to make it about 1/2" longer, which allows the ball to be seated firmly with smaller powder charges. If you don't want to do this yourself or can't find a cooperative gunsmith, I can give you contact info for the fellow who did mine.

Another trick some folks use is to carry a few .38 caliber bullets with you. After making your initial seating stroke with your rammer, drop a .38 bullet on top of the partially seated ball and make another stroke to seat the ball deeper. The bullet will fall out into your hand when you pull the rammer out.
Click to expand...

Or, use a filler.
 
I just want to add my 2 cents!
I would NEVER get rid of an Old Army.
I acquired mine about 25 years ago as payment for some repro antique tractor parts that I made for a friend.
I've taken several rabbits with the gun, numerous squirrels and once a VERY large whitetail doe that wandered under my treestand.
My pet load is 25 grs. of FFFG under a homecast round ball and the pistol IS by far the most accurate in my handgun arsenal.
The pistol is made MORE desireable because of the fact that it is no longer in production.
 
I'll add my 2 cents worth if that's OK. I developed ROA enthusiasm back in 05 or so. Got a great deal on a stainless 7.5 inch adjustable sight model with lots of accessories. Since then I've gotten 3 more, one of which is a beautiful blued one I'm afraid to shoot because I fear rusting. I hate that they are no longer made, but love their accuracy and the relaxed fun they provide with the whole loading process. I only use BP substitutes because real black is so hard to find in my area. Been shooting handguns 45 years now, and I find my ROA's are the most accurate revolvers I own---don't know why. Don
 
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