Author Topic: learning to shoot a big bore single action?  (Read 987 times)

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Offline ccoker

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learning to shoot a big bore single action?
« on: June 05, 2007, 05:17:41 AM »
I bought a Ruger Super Blackhawk hunter 44 w/bisley grip yesterday

I have shot double actions (in SA mode) and autos extensively

any tips on mastering the single action ?

grip style?
firm, right wrist locked?
I know they are designed to roll back under recoil....

short of just going and shooting a bunch and trial and error.. looking for tips
am dry firing to get used to it..


Offline corbanzo

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Re: learning to shoot a big bore single action?
« Reply #1 on: June 05, 2007, 08:21:13 AM »
Make sure the wrist is straight so that it isnt moving from side to side with recoil, helps with fatigue too. 

I usually keep my wrists sort of tight, but not my arms, so they can let the gun recoil naturally.  I'm not a death gripper though, the hard grip always makes me jerk the gun a little bit when I pull the trigger.  I am not bothered too much with a little snap back on the hands. 

I change the grip with my left hand due to the strength of the reciol.  Light recoil revolvers I will just use it as a support underneath the grip, and large revolvers is where I will grab the other hand to make both arms a big triangle with it. 
"At least with a gun that big, if you miss and hit the rocks in front of him it'll stone him to death..."

Offline MePlat

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Re: learning to shoot a big bore single action?
« Reply #2 on: June 10, 2007, 03:05:12 AM »
I shoot both along with Encores.  I use a grip style that is comfortable and one that is repeatable even if I don't do a lot of shooting for a while.  Any grip style that requires you to remember how you did it the last time you shot is harder to learn than one that is comfortable that fits your hand size.  I grip all my guns with a tight grip even a 22 when I shoot one that way I don't have a pansy grip for the 22 and a vise grip for a 500 S&W or even bigger.
The bottom line is if the sights are aligned and you are holding steady as you can and properly operate the trigger the shot will be good no matter what grip style you use as long as you repeat it each shot.
Remember sight alignment can be accomplished with just about any style hold type.  The sights are the steering wheel of the bullet.
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Offline Mikey

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Re: learning to shoot a big bore single action?
« Reply #3 on: June 10, 2007, 11:33:44 AM »
ccoker:  No Problema!  If you have shot double actions in the single action mode there is little difference save the grip style and recoil and there may not be that much of a difference for you at all. 

You are definitely headed in the right direction with your practicing - use empty cases with dead primers to soften the blow for your firing pin but otherwise you are just learning how to drive a different revolver, period.

Recoil - I'm not so sure the Bisley grips are going to roll back in recoil.  As I understand the design it was for target shooting with the older single action Colts and may not roll back but may come straight back. 

Some of the other folk here shoot Bisley gripped single actions and they may be able to help more.  Mikey.

Offline MS Hitman

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Re: learning to shoot a big bore single action?
« Reply #4 on: June 10, 2007, 12:28:58 PM »
The Bisley grips are the grips of choice for the heavy recoiling calibers because they do not roll in recoil.

I disagree with the statement to the effect that there is no difference in the grip when shooting a double action revolver in single action and shooting a single action revolver.  the grips simply are not the same shape, therefore gripping each is going to be different.  Get some actual snap caps for dry firing.  The dead primers will cease to offer any protection after a few cycles of the firing pin hitting them.

Offline Tom C.

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Re: learning to shoot a big bore single action?
« Reply #5 on: June 11, 2007, 02:51:36 AM »
In my experience, the Bisley grip guns roll, but perhaps less than the plow handle single action grips. Not a problem either way. The biggest issue, IMO, with a single action revolver is the long lock time due to the heavy hammer fall. That requires more "follow through" than a good double action revolver shot single action. Dry firing is good practice, but you also probably want to shoot with reduced loads. If you reload, that is easy: load with light cowboy type loads. If you don't reload, you may have to search for inexpensive cowboy type loads.
Tom

Offline ccoker

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Re: learning to shoot a big bore single action?
« Reply #6 on: June 11, 2007, 03:35:05 AM »
thanks
I did the "poor boy trigger job" and it definitely improved it, cleaned and lubed very well...

http://www.gunblast.com/Poorboy.htm

just dry firing it I can tell there is a longer lock time
I ran about a hundred rounds of 240g JSP (winchester and magtech) through it and off hand I was keeping about a 3" group at 25 yards and about 6 at 50 yards, got tighter groups as the session progressed..
took a break for a bit and shot my AR and then shot it some more...

I am sure by hunting season I will be totally dialed in