Single Six for smallbore hunter class?

[Ned]

Good day:

Planning to start silhouette handgun in the smallbore hunter class.

I prefer revolvers and like single actions so am seriously considering the Ruger Single Six with either 5.5 or 6.5 inch barrel.

Just ordered the NRA rulebook so will wait until that arrives before purchasing anything but would welcome opinions on the suitability of that gun for this sport.

Might anyone know if Rugers are drilled and tapped for scope mounts? Don't see any mention on their website.

Thank you.

Ned

[yooper77]

I would suggest a Freedom Arms Model 83 Silhouette and Competition Models revolver if you want to actually win the silhouette competitions.

http://www.freedomarms.com/m83sc.htm

Very expensive, but worth every penny and will build your confidence beyond measure.

I own a Ruger Single Six, but it will not compete with the stellar match revolvers from Freedom Arms.

yooper77

[Graybeard]

Once long ago when my best friend (now deceased) and I were deeply involved in NRA small bore hunter class competition we often used revolvers to shoot and even to win local matches. I used a S&W 17 with 8-3/8" barrel and he a Ruger Single Six with 9.5" barrel and we were quite successful locally with them using iron sights.

BUT when you move to more serious competition as we did going all over the state to compete and moving into the state championship level competition the iron sighted revolvers really didn't cut it anymore and like the rest we had to go with the TC Contender and a scope held in a manner now called a Taco Hold by some for what reason I have no clue. We began in those long ago years using rifle scopes on them and began using 6X or 3-9X Leupold scopes with AO feature and they worked quite well. I actually settle on 5x on the 3-9 as best for me personally.

So if you just want to have fun and shoot more sure go for it with the Ruger you mention but don't expect to take any trophies home with it. If you want to get serious in NRA competition I think the TCs and rifle scopes are still taking home all the wins but in IHMSA the Freedom Arms guns I think are what's doing it.

[bilmac]

I have a soft spot in my heart for single sixes, but really when it comes down to it, I haven't had much in the way of accuracy from either of the two I've owned. The first would shoot pretty good if I fed it 40 gr Rem golden bullets, but the one I have now just doesn't shoot anything very well.

[19 Turkeys]

I would strongly suggest attending a match & talking with folks.  The discussion concerning the Single Six & Freedom Arms is correct.  However, the FA will break the bank, and I think trying the sport with any .22 LR handgun you have would be preferable to investing $1,200 (used) to whatever the retail price is now (new) on an FA.  This is not disparaging the FA.  Heck, I have two and will not part with them.  It is just the investment.  Remember, your main competition is yourself.  You want to try to do better every match regardless of your handgun.  Have fun & keep us posted.

Steve W.

[Ned]

I appreciate the replies.

I was not sure if the 9.5 inch barreled model was legal for silhouette but apparently it is.

I posted this question at rimfirecentral.com and received similar replies.

I would use a scope so that might help but the consensus seems to be that the Single Six is marginal in terms of accuracy.

I freely admit however that budget is a factor and I got a bit weak in the knees when I saw the Freedom Arms prices.

Tough decision but at least I have some idea of the limitations if I go with the Ruger.

Thank you again.

Ned

[Graybeard]

I've never shot IHMSA so if that's what you're asking about I just dunno but 10" barrels are OK in NRA matches. For the money and especially if you plan to scope it I'd go with the Ruger MKIII over a revolver especially a Ruger revolver.

[bilmac]

Is S&W still making their 22 on a K frame? I would imagine that they would make a pretty straight shooter, chances of finding a good used one are probably pretty slim though as I have never seen one.

[Nobade]

I concur with GB here. I personally shoot NRA hunter pistol with a single six. But it's more for grins than anything now, I don't expect to win against the scope sighted Contenders and Exemplars. I just have fun trying to be a better shot with a revolver. But if you want to use a repeater, the Ruger autos are mighty tough to beat. BTW, a scope sighted revolver can be a painful thing to use with a rifle scope, and with a pistol scope you give up too much control since you have to hold it at arm's length. 

[Steve P]

If you have an exceptional single six with a good trigger job, Bomar/Lansing sights and the right ammo, you can compete quite well in Hunter Pistol class.  I have never shot one scoped.  I have a 9.5" barrel and shot it until I got an FA.  My shooting partner still shoots his single six and beats me most of the time.  (but he about out of his ammo stash...). 

For scoped hunter pistol, you cant beat the Ruger Mark II with a scope.  If you use a B-Square mount, you can even leave your sights on it and shoot both open sight and scoped class.  If you are a good shot, you will be competitive. 

You don't always have to have the high $$ guns to win (but a lot of times it helps).  An exceptional lady shooter was using a Contender in 7TCU with a scope on it and beat all of us guys with our high dollar bolt action guns at a match a couple of years ago.  She won handily.  It may have been the same match and a guy with a scoped Savage striker ($169) bolt action pistol beat out the contenders, Anschutz, etc. 

Get a single six, have a good trigger job done to it, and find some accurate ammo (CCI green tag, Winchester T22, PMC Zapper, Wolf Match Target, Eley Pistol Match)  Do a little practice and you will have a BLAST....ESPECIALLY when your scores become higher than the $300-$1500 guns!!

Have fun.....

Steve

[bilmac]

thats one nice thing about silhoete shooting, with a decient gun a good shot can be very competitive. I was at a match one time when a guy shot with an 03A3 Springfield completely unmodified. He didn't win, but he was probably in the top 80%. To most of us watching, he was the moral winner.