Rossi 92 44 special accuracy

[SG1]

Hello all,

I tried searching for an answer but my googlefu is not strong today. I recently purchased a Rossi 92 in 44 mag. I haven't put a bunch of rounds through it yet, but I have ran 2 different brands of 44 mag, both 240gr JSP, and 1 brand of 44 special, also 240gr JSP. The 1 caveat is that the 44 special was HSM cowboy action loads, so maybe it was slightly less powerful than a regular 44 special.

My issue is with accuracy. The magnum rounds have great accuracy out to 25 yards. I haven't had a chance to take it anywhere to shoot farther. However, the HSM 44 specials were grouping very slightly high, and about 5 or 6 inches right of the point of aim.

Could this be a result of the specials being cowboy loads? I've been having trouble finding any 44 special locally in any other brand, but my next test will be to see if another brand of 44 special performs better. I don't have the dies and stuff yet to reload the 44's, but I am saving my brass. I'm sure once I get everything together to reload the cartridge I can get better results.

Has anyone had this issue before? Should I just wait and try different brands of 44 special?

 

[AZAndy]

I can understand it being a little high, since a slower bullet will be in the barrel a bit longer, but I'm mystified as to why it would be off to the right.

 

[Bfh_auto]

I can understand it being a little high, since a slower bullet will be in the barrel a bit longer, but I'm mystified as to why it would be off to the right.

Different barrel harmonics cause this. All rifles have this happen to varying degrees.
If you play around with different loads, you can sometimes find ones that are only off vertically.

 

[gotboostvr]

Different barrel harmonics cause this. All rifles have this happen to varying degrees.
If you play around with different loads, you can sometimes find ones that are only off vertically.

Thankfully, my R92 44mag mostly strings different bullet weights/loads vertically.

Mine's a pretty good shooter for a lil 16" carbine. It really likes 240gr XTP's and IMR4227.

Real handy and effective chasing bambi through the thick scrub brush.

 

[Tommygunn]

I have a Browning B-92 in .44 magnum. It's dead on accurate with .44 magnum, but not as accurate with .44 SP. I don't think the OP's situation is unique to Rossi 92s.
My solution is to use .44 magnum. Your solution may be different. Bfh auto's comment on barrel harmonics was likely exactly correct.

 

[Bfh_auto]

Thankfully, my R92 44mag mostly strings different bullet weights/loads vertically.

Mine's a pretty good shooter for a lil 16" carbine. It really likes 240gr XTP's and IMR4227.

Real handy and effective chasing bambi through the thick scrub brush.

Thankfully, my R92 44mag mostly strings different bullet weights/loads vertically.

Mine's a pretty good shooter for a lil 16" carbine. It really likes 240gr XTP's and IMR4227.

Real handy and effective chasing bambi through the thick scrub brush.

My 357 Rossi puts 125gr 38s and 180 gr 357 about 2" up and over. If I run the same bullet at different velocity, it's primarily vertical.
If I mix cast and jacketed, it's anybody's guess.

 

[SG1]

Thanks for the responses. I'm having trouble sourcing much variety in 44 special here locally anyway. I was happily surprised that it cycles both special and magnum equally well. Really, to be straight from the factory it cycles very smooth. Better than I expected.

 

[Bfh_auto]

Thanks for the responses. I'm having trouble sourcing much variety in 44 special here locally anyway. I was happily surprised that it cycles both special and magnum equally well. Really, to be straight from the factory it cycles very smooth. Better than I expected.

They're a under rated rifle

 

[SG1]

They're a under rated rifle

I had a 16" in .357 some years ago that was horrid. Cycling was rough in both calibers, not very accurate. Beautiful though. But with a little work they can run great, I just didn't know that at the time.

So I bought this one with all intention to slick it up myself. But I dont think i need to. I'm replacing the magazine spring and follower with stainless stuff but i dont think I need to do anything to the action, extractor or loading gate.