Author Topic: learning sixguns (Read 2619 times)

NIL · « **on:** April 13, 2012, 04:26:27 AM »

I'm a real newbie here, both to handguns and this forum.

I can't believe all the fun I've been missing out on (I'm 40 years old). Last October I acquired my first handgun, and after trying out a few makes and models, I connected with Ruger single actions. Last night on an evening stroll I took my third animal with a sixgun, the little cottontail below. I used a .357 with .38 specials. My first two kills were the jacks below, taken with a .44 Special. My goal and dream: to take some big game animals with these SA revolvers, but until then I'm having loads of fun learning with rabbits. Almost got a coyote the other day too, but he saw me too soon and ran. I've been getting a lot of great coaching by Veral Smith. A few LBT moulds just arrived in the mail, that I can't wait to try out. I also started reloading when I got the handguns. Hopefully I'll be casting too real soon. I have the .357, the .44 Special, and a .45 Colt Convertible. No question about it....I'm addicted.

huntswithdogs · « **Reply #1 on:** April 13, 2012, 05:10:23 AM »

Welcome to my addiction and welcome to GBO!

Looks and sounds like you got bit as bad as some of the rest of us. If you can pop a rabbit, you shouldn't have too much trouble with larger game. It's the getting close that'll be the most fun.

Have loads of fun and don't be a stranger!

HWD

Mikey · « **Reply #2 on:** April 13, 2012, 01:20:21 PM »

Welcome aboard. Yep, you're addicted. Join the crowd. Nice wabbits.......

hillbill · « **Reply #3 on:** April 13, 2012, 02:22:57 PM »

casting can be a challenge for the first few times. read a lot and dont give up.look into shotgun powder for your loads and soon yu be shooting for pennies a round! rugers dont always like cast bullets if the cylinder throats aint rite.but yull get it figured out for sure!

t-reg · « **Reply #4 on:** April 14, 2012, 02:35:12 AM »

Welcome to handgun hunting. Small game is the best way to start. Keep at it and you'll stay sharp too.

Good news, you have a couple of fine SA's there made on modern CNC equipment and should not have to deal with throat inconsistencies like some of us have in the past.

jlwilliams · « **Reply #5 on:** April 14, 2012, 02:43:31 AM »

Man, how I wish we had rabbits that size here. I'm in CT where we have little cottontails not much bigger than a coffee cup.

NIL · « **Reply #6 on:** April 14, 2012, 05:58:27 AM »

Thanks for the welcome!

We do have some nice-sized bunnies down here in the southwestern desert...good eating too...at least to me.

Regarding the throats on the guns....the .357 and .44 throats were perfect. Had to borrow a reamer for the .45 throats. They were way too small and I had poor accuracy and leading.

Hillbill, what do you mean about shotgun powder? I've been using Unique. Since I don't have anything to compare it to, I've been real happy with it. In the .45 I use 9 grains for a 250 grain bullet (boy those cases are cavernous!). In the .44 Special I use 7 grains for the same sized bullet. Haven't reloaded for the .357 yet, but ammo is relatively cheap.

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #7 on:** April 15, 2012, 01:36:37 AM »

casting can be an addiction as much as guns are. Youll get even more satisfaction when you make your first kill with a bullet you made yourself!

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #8 on:** April 15, 2012, 02:04:23 AM »

Welcome to the world of handgun hunting.

Lonegun1894 · « **Reply #9 on:** April 21, 2012, 12:45:55 PM »

I wish someone would have told me how addictive Rugers are before I bought my first one years ago. I have about 10 of them now, and always looking for more. They're about as bad as lever action rifles for me. I'm glad you have been picking up my slack for me since I haven't had the cash to buy another one recently, but will if I can just spend a little less on reloading and casting gear. By the way, nice shooting, I miss the rabbit hunting in your area. Spent some time there and it spoiled me a bit.

hillbill · « **Reply #10 on:** April 21, 2012, 12:59:30 PM »

Quote from: NIL on April 14, 2012, 05:58:27 AM

Thanks for the welcome!

We do have some nice-sized bunnies down here in the southwestern desert...good eating too...at least to me.

Regarding the throats on the guns....the .357 and .44 throats were perfect. Had to borrow a reamer for the .45 throats. They were way too small and I had poor accuracy and leading.

Hillbill, what do you mean about shotgun powder? I've been using Unique. Since I don't have anything to compare it to, I've been real happy with it. In the .45 I use 9 grains for a 250 grain bullet (boy those cases are cavernous!). In the .44 Special I use 7 grains for the same sized bullet. Haven't reloaded for the .357 yet, but ammo is relatively cheap.

well unique is a shotgun powder!i use mostly it and reddot.your way ahead of me!

NIL · « **Reply #11 on:** April 22, 2012, 02:09:36 PM »

Thanks, guys. Lonegun, addictions just get me into trouble....I overspent the budget and will be crawling out of the hole for a little while....but the sixguns sure are fun!

Gave casting a quick try this weekend. When I get a chance I'll do it the right way. I have my first bullet and that's it. One side looks decent, the other side has flaws. I don't think I had the lead hot enough. The thrift store ladle did not work at all, so I'm on the lookout for something better.

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #12 on:** April 22, 2012, 11:33:33 PM »

looks to cold to me too. Try dipping your mold right in the lead to heat it up. About 10 to 15 seconds will do it. Dont worry about shinny bullets. Lee aluminum molds work best when there so hot that there right on the verge of smearing lead on the spruce plate. With lee molds your going to want your bullets to look frosty when they come out using ww.

jem44357 · « **Reply #13 on:** April 23, 2012, 09:09:23 PM »

I think a nice heavy cast iron ladle heated up would help to keep the lead at temp also. A little pour spout would make it easier to hit the hole.

I have one that looks like this. It is a smaller and does not have the trough just a spout.

http://www.rotometals.com/product-p/Casting_Ladle_bottom8.htm?gclid=COawppX3zK8CFYe5KgodtyQ7Zg

Jim

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #14 on:** April 24, 2012, 01:36:14 AM »

most plumbing supplies will have a nice laddle to help pour lead. Also antique stores often have them. Enjoy you SA's they are fun ..............

Elwood · « **Reply #15 on:** April 24, 2012, 01:32:22 PM »

Your photos sure look like southern Arizona in the background.
Elwood

NIL · « **Reply #16 on:** April 24, 2012, 05:35:40 PM »

I picked up a little ladle for a couple bucks at the store and gave the casting another try this evening. I threw a little glob of beeswax on the melt for flux. Everything went like a dream and I got 30 bullets with my lbt mold. I'm happy.

Elwood, your locator is spot on.

sixshot · « **Reply #17 on:** April 26, 2012, 12:32:16 PM »

Thats just how I started out 46 years ago & I've enjoyed every minute of it.

Dick

NIL · « **Reply #18 on:** April 28, 2012, 07:10:00 AM »

Yep, Dick, wish I had started even earlier, but at least I'm on the path.

Last night I did a little work to develop an ideal bunny load for the .357 using .38 Special brass. I started with 3 grains of Hogdon Clays, seating the bullets deep. That was more than I wanted, so I worked down ending up with just under a grain. The sound is nice and quiet. The bullets hit where I aim and seem to be going plenty fast enough. I'll try to get out to test them on live targets this weekend.

painted horse · « **Reply #19 on:** May 04, 2012, 05:28:58 AM »

Quote from: NIL on April 28, 2012, 07:10:00 AM

Yep, Dick, wish I had started even earlier, but at least I'm on the path.

Last night I did a little work to develop an ideal bunny load for the .357 using .38 Special brass. I started with 3 grains of Hogdon Clays, seating the bullets deep. That was more than I wanted, so I worked down ending up with just under a grain. The sound is nice and quiet. The bullets hit where I aim and seem to be going plenty fast enough. I'll try to get out to test them on live targets this weekend.

Now thats interesting......

azmark · « **Reply #20 on:** May 20, 2012, 06:18:52 AM »

Quote from: Elwood on April 24, 2012, 01:32:22 PM

Your photos sure look like southern Arizona in the background.
Elwood

Yes, it does. Just like outside my window. Where are you, Nil?

sixshot · « **Reply #21 on:** May 20, 2012, 07:20:14 AM »

Be very careful when going that low with your powder charge, you can stick a bullet in the barrel & bad things will happen, it only takes one. Also, with a full wadcutter you might want to seat those out a bit. Because you are seating deep right now your pressures will be up & are probably ok. One other caution, don't crimp over the top of those full wadcutters the way you are seating them right now, you sure don't want to damage one of your new guns. Good luck, you're going to enjoy every minute of your new addiction.

Dick

45-70.gov · « **Reply #22 on:** May 20, 2012, 11:58:34 AM »

get yourself a 20 pound LEE.....BOTTOM pore

NIL · « **Reply #23 on:** May 24, 2012, 06:12:39 PM »

Thanks for the feedback.

Azmark, I wasn't on the forum for awhile, but we've pm'd. Yes Elwood, it's southern AZ you're seeing in the pics. I'm a desert rat...

So far I haven't stuck any bullets. After a rabbit hunt, I bumped the loads back up a bit to 1+ grain.

A grackle (they've been swarming our yard and devouring our pets' food lately) succumbed to a 30 yard shot with this load. It was on top of an electric pole.

This is what the bullets look like after hitting the backstop while target shooting.

azmark · « **Reply #24 on:** May 28, 2012, 04:50:28 PM »

That's pretty good shooting for someone who says he's new to handguns.

S.B. · « **Reply #25 on:** June 02, 2012, 05:17:22 PM »

Welcome abourd the handgun addiction ride. Keep shooting those Rugers and have fun.
Congrats.
Steve