CAUTION: This thread includes loading data and/or links for loading data beyond currently published maximums for this firearm. USE AT YOUR OWN RISK. Neither the writer, The High Road, nor the staff of THR assume any liability for any damage or injury resulting from use of this information.
Hi folks, first time here and my apology for a bit longer post, but I hope you will find it interesting, and eventually develop into fruitful discussion. Before posting this, I searched threads here on THR, but I did not find much. Please, feel free to post the link if I missed something.
I am gearing for my first ROA (still looking for one, hard to find it up here), and started looking on internet bit more about ROA and BP revolvers in general. I found that vast majority of shooters are shooting lead balls, and there are plenty of loads for this type of bullet. Considering how strong is ROA, I always felt that this revolver is capable of more powerful loads, much more useful as a backup firearm in the field. After reading this thread http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=34668 I became curious did anybody loaded ROA with heavier bullet than round ball, on the level that will come close to the original load of grand, old 45 Colt. IMO, heavier bullet than a ball is much more useful, and does not loose velocity so rapidly. After further search, I found this quite intriguing thread, showing that ROA could shoot some interesting loads; http://www.rugerforum.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=113059 , here is video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQVu3d3NpxU . Now, we are talking about decent power level. Also, I stumbled upon this thread http://www.shootersforum.com/muzzleloaders/2414-performance-excellence-ruger-old-army.html where Marshall Stanton proposed new bullet design.
After scratching my head, and several ˝what if˝, I decided to see what kind of bullet I can design, trying to incorporate features from several different designs creating some new bullets.
One note; since my intention is to have a heavier bullet than round ball, that will generate more recoil, I came to conclusion that bullet should be designed to have a tight fit along more surface than round ball provides. Existing bullet loading opening on ROA will be too small, and ramming forces are just too high for ROA lever, so some kind of loading press is in order.
Anyhow, here are the bullets I consider as a good starting point;
Lee REAL http://leeprecision.com/xcart/Black-Powder-REAL-Bullet-and-Combo-Molds/ and Dick Dastardly DD/PUK/ROA-II Big Lube®LLC 210 grain http://www.biglube.com/BulletMolds.aspx?ItemID=09d6fdda-c105-4c87-b269-68ebfdaba982 .
First, I made few designs that are basically SWC with multiple driving bands;
Proposal No. 1:
Dia (as cast): .458˝
OAL: .655˝
Meplat dia: .360˝
Driving band (ea.): .026˝
Weight (using WW): 260 grains
Proposal No. 2, with wider front band:
Dia (as cast): .458˝
OAL: .634˝
Meplat dia: .360˝
Driving band, front: .080˝
Driving band, rest (ea.): .025˝
Weight (using WW): 250 grains
Here is proposal No. 3: ROA-260-DG (dual groove)
Dia (as cast): .457˝
OAL: .654˝
Meplat dia: .360˝
Driving band, front: .080˝
Driving bands, rest (ea.): .070 2-nd, .075 3rd
Weight (using WW): 260 grains
This last one is essentially LBT-WFN with 2 grease grooves. The grooves are designed large enough to accept standard O-ring for 7/16 bore. Idea is to get better friction to prevent bullet from moving forward due heavier recoil and heavier bullet, and in the same time seal the chamber to prevent moisture from getting in, as well as cross/chain fire. Also, another combination is to have one groove packed with grease, and another with O-ring. These O-rings are inexpensive, about 2 cents each and could be ordered from several sources.
Please, take a look and let me know what do you think. If there is enough interest for a new design(s), and we have close to 20 potential customers, we can start group buy (GB) for the new mould.
Cheers, Onty.
Hi folks, first time here and my apology for a bit longer post, but I hope you will find it interesting, and eventually develop into fruitful discussion. Before posting this, I searched threads here on THR, but I did not find much. Please, feel free to post the link if I missed something.
I am gearing for my first ROA (still looking for one, hard to find it up here), and started looking on internet bit more about ROA and BP revolvers in general. I found that vast majority of shooters are shooting lead balls, and there are plenty of loads for this type of bullet. Considering how strong is ROA, I always felt that this revolver is capable of more powerful loads, much more useful as a backup firearm in the field. After reading this thread http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=34668 I became curious did anybody loaded ROA with heavier bullet than round ball, on the level that will come close to the original load of grand, old 45 Colt. IMO, heavier bullet than a ball is much more useful, and does not loose velocity so rapidly. After further search, I found this quite intriguing thread, showing that ROA could shoot some interesting loads; http://www.rugerforum.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=113059 , here is video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQVu3d3NpxU . Now, we are talking about decent power level. Also, I stumbled upon this thread http://www.shootersforum.com/muzzleloaders/2414-performance-excellence-ruger-old-army.html where Marshall Stanton proposed new bullet design.
After scratching my head, and several ˝what if˝, I decided to see what kind of bullet I can design, trying to incorporate features from several different designs creating some new bullets.
One note; since my intention is to have a heavier bullet than round ball, that will generate more recoil, I came to conclusion that bullet should be designed to have a tight fit along more surface than round ball provides. Existing bullet loading opening on ROA will be too small, and ramming forces are just too high for ROA lever, so some kind of loading press is in order.
Anyhow, here are the bullets I consider as a good starting point;
Lee REAL http://leeprecision.com/xcart/Black-Powder-REAL-Bullet-and-Combo-Molds/ and Dick Dastardly DD/PUK/ROA-II Big Lube®LLC 210 grain http://www.biglube.com/BulletMolds.aspx?ItemID=09d6fdda-c105-4c87-b269-68ebfdaba982 .
First, I made few designs that are basically SWC with multiple driving bands;
Proposal No. 1:
Dia (as cast): .458˝
OAL: .655˝
Meplat dia: .360˝
Driving band (ea.): .026˝
Weight (using WW): 260 grains
Proposal No. 2, with wider front band:
Dia (as cast): .458˝
OAL: .634˝
Meplat dia: .360˝
Driving band, front: .080˝
Driving band, rest (ea.): .025˝
Weight (using WW): 250 grains
Here is proposal No. 3: ROA-260-DG (dual groove)
Dia (as cast): .457˝
OAL: .654˝
Meplat dia: .360˝
Driving band, front: .080˝
Driving bands, rest (ea.): .070 2-nd, .075 3rd
Weight (using WW): 260 grains
This last one is essentially LBT-WFN with 2 grease grooves. The grooves are designed large enough to accept standard O-ring for 7/16 bore. Idea is to get better friction to prevent bullet from moving forward due heavier recoil and heavier bullet, and in the same time seal the chamber to prevent moisture from getting in, as well as cross/chain fire. Also, another combination is to have one groove packed with grease, and another with O-ring. These O-rings are inexpensive, about 2 cents each and could be ordered from several sources.
Please, take a look and let me know what do you think. If there is enough interest for a new design(s), and we have close to 20 potential customers, we can start group buy (GB) for the new mould.
Cheers, Onty.
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