Range outing with a few new (to me) revolvers

[Dmc707]

Through a trade with another member as well as a couple of purchases on my own over the past few months i wound up with a few new handguns

So - without knowing if they'll shoot, they are the functional equivalent of paperweights -- so to the range i go - the hours were drawing short so with no time to procure more targets , i just loaded up on some notebook paper as i was just trying to see if the new guns were "close enough" for now

Central OK members will recognize the LExington WMA pistol area

Plus -- if you dont have a method of carrying, they are also just range toys with some exceptions, --- so Bianchi had a decent holster for the short .357 Blackhawk that pares nicely with my recently aquired gunbelt (also Bianchi) --- lost some weight so thought i needed to downsize, but the sizing is pretty unforgiving with Bianchi, so i still have some work to do as its on the last hole - meaning its also too short for reliable IWB carry -- but - thats my carbohydrate problem - looks nice though

Most shots are taken at around 15 yards , best i can step it off to the midrange targets

This would be 5 holes for the 4 5/8 .357 with .38's -- 1st shot wasnt on paper

Everything on paper for the big .45 -- only 4 here as i took a poke at the .25 with the remaining 2 and it was on target there too --- not tight enough for me to trust myself in a hunting situation with it, -- but the pistol has the capability even if i dont

Things were much the same for the double action .357's -- the Ruger Security Six was reliably on paper with .38's but the nut behind the trigger needs a bit of work

Same for an L frame 686 + - hence the 7 holes (also .38's)

-- the model 65 fixed sight -- granted most everything to date has been fired with .38's

Full tilt .357's through this one - 158 gr JSP's - with the small grip panels and the Tyler T-Grip, i was just glad to keep these hand stingers on paper

But good grief - with .38's this one really came into its own ! -- easily my favorite of the afternoon- even with me behind the trigger, this is a shooter -- just really happy with this KISS revolver

In keeping with my mantra of - if you cant carry it, its just a range toy - i dug out an old Bianchi M9 holster for the new to me Beretta - and the BEretta just did what it was supposed to do - I used to curse these when i was in the service 30+ years ago, but now i can appreciate it as a fine shooter ---still not sure about the decocker mechanism for a service pistol, but it sure is a flat shooting piece of iron

This time of year with lots of folks off work and wanting to spend time at the range with friends and family, its tough to get good times to have the range to yourself but i got there late and didnt have much time toi mess around, but getting there late gave me the benefit of having the pistol range to myself --- The 100 and 50 yard ranges however, were still packed at 430 in the afternoon

I hope to get out again with the Blackhawks at least because the .357 is a great size to pack when im doing things on the tractor at home , and the 7.5" .45 Colt would be fun to try out at longer distances

Overall - great day - and as mentioned - i enjoyed having the pistol range mostly to myself, but it was also cool to see a few families out there spending time together at the other ranges

 

[mtngunr]

Through a trade with another member as well as a couple of purchases on my own over the past few months i wound up with a few new handguns

So - without knowing if they'll shoot, they are the functional equivalent of paperweights -- so to the range i go - the hours were drawing short so with no time to procure more targets , i just loaded up on some notebook paper as i was just trying to see if the new guns were "close enough" for now

Central OK members will recognize the LExington WMA pistol area

Plus -- if you dont have a method of carrying, they are also just range toys with some exceptions, --- so Bianchi had a decent holster for the short .357 Blackhawk that pares nicely with my recently aquired gunbelt (also Bianchi) --- lost some weight so thought i needed to downsize, but the sizing is pretty unforgiving with Bianchi, so i still have some work to do as its on the last hole - meaning its also too short for reliable IWB carry -- but - thats my carbohydrate problem - looks nice though

Most shots are taken at around 15 yards , best i can step it off to the midrange targets

This would be 5 holes for the 4 5/8 .357 with .38's -- 1st shot wasnt on paper

Everything on paper for the big .45 -- only 4 here as i took a poke at the .25 with the remaining 2 and it was on target there too --- not tight enough for me to trust myself in a hunting situation with it, -- but the pistol has the capability even if i dont

Things were much the same for the double action .357's -- the Ruger Security Six was reliably on paper with .38's but the nut behind the trigger needs a bit of work

Same for an L frame 686 + - hence the 7 holes (also .38's)

-- the model 65 fixed sight -- granted most everything to date has been fired with .38's

Full tilt .357's through this one - 158 gr JSP's - with the small grip panels and the Tyler T-Grip, i was just glad to keep these hand stingers on paper

But good grief - with .38's this one really came into its own ! -- easily my favorite of the afternoon- even with me behind the trigger, this is a shooter -- just really happy with this KISS revolver

In keeping with my mantra of - if you cant carry it, its just a range toy - i dug out an old Bianchi M9 holster for the new to me Beretta - and the BEretta just did what it was supposed to do - I used to curse these when i was in the service 30+ years ago, but now i can appreciate it as a fine shooter ---still not sure about the decocker mechanism for a service pistol, but it sure is a flat shooting piece of iron

This time of year with lots of folks off work and wanting to spend time at the range with friends and family, its tough to get good times to have the range to yourself but i got there late and didnt have much time toi mess around, but getting there late gave me the benefit of having the pistol range to myself --- The 100 and 50 yard ranges however, were still packed at 430 in the afternoon

I hope to get out again with the Blackhawks at least because the .357 is a great size to pack when im doing things on the tractor at home , and the 7.5" .45 Colt would be fun to try out at longer distances

Overall - great day - and as mentioned - i enjoyed having the pistol range mostly to myself, but it was also cool to see a few families out there spending time together at the other ranges

That .44 framed .357 NMBH is a relative poosykat with .357 in a SA gripframe, and would not have been near the hand stinger as the DA with same loads. It also just oodles of fun with a Keith load shooting a 158-165gr SWC at circa 1200fps. Using .38Spl brass for that load, expect shorter case life than when using Manglem brass. The .45 Colt with 9-10grs Herco/Unique at 900-1000fps with 255grSWCs also fun and able to take most lower-48 critters. The SAs are very sensitive to consistant grip as they naturally rear up when firing, and they rear up differently with slightest change in grip opening groups, where live fire pays dividends on paper or deer/hog. Load up 250rds and shoot them one afternoon and you and the single action will then work well together, and targets will show it.

 

[Dmc707]

That .44 framed .357 NMBH is a relative poosykat with .357 in a SA gripframe, and would not have been near the hand stinger as the DA with same loads.

I have heard this and I guess was in a good position to make a direct comparison, but daylight was short

I look forward to trying it out with 357’s — but gotta admit, may need another range trip or 2 to warm up to full house loads —

- A Ruger Wrangler may be the ticket to some more cheap trigger time (or just provide an excuse to spend more money)

 

[mtngunr]

I have heard this and I guess was in a good position to make a direct comparison, but daylight was short

I look forward to trying it out with 357’s — but gotta admit, may need another range trip or 2 to warm up to full house loads —

- A Ruger Wrangler may be the ticket to some more cheap trigger time (or just provide an excuse to spend more money)

You'll find the reason most heavy kicker handgun hunters use single actions is because they handle recoil far better than DA grip frames, the butt slips down and muzzle rears up, rather than that DA hump putting brakes on any slippage and pounding hand...this works until loads so heavy the trigger guard bops middle knuckle or you plant spur in web of hand (where you then swap to a different custom gripframe) but those would be big bore heavy bullet loads at magnum velocity. A lead SWC will kick less than jacketed due to bullet slips rather than drags down barrel, a 158gr SWC in the .357 loaded to 1100-1200fps about same recoil as standard .38 from a DA...the 158gr magnum is serious, but FAR more comfy than out of even an N-frame Smith. Check the screw tightness on the ejector rod housing several times while shooting, it may require loktite to stay put and even then will eventually loosen, and launching your ejector downrange and losing screw and maybe spring will shut you down in a hurry...fine looking guns, and if you want real horsepower that .45 Colt will do 255s circa 1200fps and 300grs over 1000fps if you go for elk or moose with it...but a 255 @1000fps will go thru a deer like it was made of hot cheese and air, and handles hog right well, too, while kids can shoot that load in a single action.
The Wrangler will hold different, as will the .357 compared to the .45....shoot them a lot with the load on which you settle, and you'll find they outshoot you.

 

[Dmc707]

if you want real horsepower that .45 Colt will do 255s circa 1200fps and 300grs over 1000fps if you go for elk or moose with it...but a 255 @1000fps will go thru a deer like it was made of hot cheese and air, and handles hog right well, too, while kids can shoot that load in a single action.

My second favorite rifle in my collection is my Model 94 .45 Colt trapper (first would be the 30/30 owned by my late dad ) - and i used it this year to get skunked in the woods - Was using some factory JSP loads.

As i was interested in a companion piece to this, the big .45 is really what i was after and the .357 was a split second "impulse purchase" due to a very attractive price on it
After taking a hiatus, my interest in reloading is tickled again so i look forward to working up some loads

 

[mtngunr]

My second favorite rifle in my collection is my Model 94 .45 Colt trapper (first would be the 30/30 owned by my late dad ) - and i used it this year to get skunked in the woods - Was using some factory JSP loads.

As i was interested in a companion piece to this, the big .45 is really what i was after and the .357 was a split second "impulse purchase" due to a very attractive price on it
After taking a hiatus, my interest in reloading is tickled again so i look forward to working up some loads

Well, except for Alliant new owners shutting down US supply to sell ammo to Ukraine, the Unique/Herco loads already mentioned in .45 Colt always accurate, especially the Herco, and get the 900-1000fps from a handgun and 1100-1200fps from a 16.5" carbine...11-12grs 2400 with a circa 160grSWC in that tank of a .357 will push 1200fps, but that another Alliant powder...you'll like both, and the smaller Old Model Blackhawk .357 fun to shoot and your .44-frame New Models sure have you not worrying about not going over those loads by a tenth or three, the .45 load mentioned a max or slightly over, load safe for a SAA, the .357 load safe in any large frame revolver. Looking fwd to further range reports.

 

[1shott]

Through a trade with another member as well as a couple of purchases on my own over the past few months i wound up with a few new handguns

So - without knowing if they'll shoot, they are the functional equivalent of paperweights -- so to the range i go - the hours were drawing short so with no time to procure more targets , i just loaded up on some notebook paper as i was just trying to see if the new guns were "close enough" for now

Central OK members will recognize the LExington WMA pistol area

Plus -- if you dont have a method of carrying, they are also just range toys with some exceptions, --- so Bianchi had a decent holster for the short .357 Blackhawk that pares nicely with my recently aquired gunbelt (also Bianchi) --- lost some weight so thought i needed to downsize, but the sizing is pretty unforgiving with Bianchi, so i still have some work to do as its on the last hole - meaning its also too short for reliable IWB carry -- but - thats my carbohydrate problem - looks nice though

Most shots are taken at around 15 yards , best i can step it off to the midrange targets

This would be 5 holes for the 4 5/8 .357 with .38's -- 1st shot wasnt on paper

Everything on paper for the big .45 -- only 4 here as i took a poke at the .25 with the remaining 2 and it was on target there too --- not tight enough for me to trust myself in a hunting situation with it, -- but the pistol has the capability even if i dont

Things were much the same for the double action .357's -- the Ruger Security Six was reliably on paper with .38's but the nut behind the trigger needs a bit of work

Same for an L frame 686 + - hence the 7 holes (also .38's)

-- the model 65 fixed sight -- granted most everything to date has been fired with .38's

Full tilt .357's through this one - 158 gr JSP's - with the small grip panels and the Tyler T-Grip, i was just glad to keep these hand stingers on paper

But good grief - with .38's this one really came into its own ! -- easily my favorite of the afternoon- even with me behind the trigger, this is a shooter -- just really happy with this KISS revolver

In keeping with my mantra of - if you cant carry it, its just a range toy - i dug out an old Bianchi M9 holster for the new to me Beretta - and the BEretta just did what it was supposed to do - I used to curse these when i was in the service 30+ years ago, but now i can appreciate it as a fine shooter ---still not sure about the decocker mechanism for a service pistol, but it sure is a flat shooting piece of iron

This time of year with lots of folks off work and wanting to spend time at the range with friends and family, its tough to get good times to have the range to yourself but i got there late and didnt have much time toi mess around, but getting there late gave me the benefit of having the pistol range to myself --- The 100 and 50 yard ranges however, were still packed at 430 in the afternoon

I hope to get out again with the Blackhawks at least because the .357 is a great size to pack when im doing things on the tractor at home , and the 7.5" .45 Colt would be fun to try out at longer distances

Overall - great day - and as mentioned - i enjoyed having the pistol range mostly to myself, but it was also cool to see a few families out there spending time together at the other ranges

Its been years since I have been to lexington to shoot, those are some great improvements.

 

[Glock 'em down]

Loves them wheelguns!

 

[Dmc707]

Its been years since I have been to lexington to shoot, those are some great improvements.

Its still pretty casual out there, which is why it is my favorite place to shoot -- but it appears that the days are long gone when people would just drag out their old appliances, toilets and desktop computers to use as targets of opportunity !

 

[turkeyrun]

I have heard this and I guess was in a good position to make a direct comparison, but daylight was short

I look forward to trying it out with 357’s — but gotta admit, may need another range trip or 2 to warm up to full house loads —

- A Ruger Wrangler may be the ticket to some more cheap trigger time (or just provide an excuse to spend more money)

Don't overlook a Single Six, if you come across one, at a decent price.

I am a bit fond of a Blackhawk. Especially of the 4 5/8" variety.

.357, .41, .44 (2) and .45
.30 Carbine 7 1/2"
Single Six (3)

Along with:
S&W M28 4" .357 and (not in pic)
Little Brother S&W M30 4" .32 S&W L

Range toys, YES
But 1 or 2 are are always with me.


Reloading definitely makes make more fun. Herco is one of my favorite powders, as is 2400. Cowboy shooting is Trail Boss. My 12 yo grandson loves telling his buddies about shooting a .44. Though, after our range trip, last week, he can't keep his hands off the .32 S&W.
Bullseye is great, since Unique has become unobtainable.