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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Ruger Old Army Nitro

Posted: 2/26/2015 6:21:21 AM EDT

I'm considering getting an Old Army that has had a cylinder conversion done to allow the use of shotgun primers and Herco powder. They're popular here in England.

Can hard cast lead bullets be used rather than lead balls? I ask as I have numerous .454 bullets I use for .45 Colt loads.

Thanks

Posted: 2/26/2015 8:47:38 AM EDT

[#1]

I'd want to slug the bbl. and find the bore diameter first. Never tried it with mine since I shot black powder.

They are built pretty stout.

Posted: 2/26/2015 10:29:15 AM EDT

[#2]

I'm gonna need some pics and a source on this conversion. This is a conversion I was not aware of

But I shoot cast bullets out of mine with blackpowder. I have had good results with the Lee brand REAL bullet in .45 caliber and the traditional type cap and ball bullets.

Lee REAL Bullethttp://www.midwayusa.com/product/153994/lee-2-cavity-bullet-mold-45-250-real-45-caliber-467-diameter-250-grain-real

Traditional cap and ball bullethttp://www.trackofthewolf.com/Categories/PartDetail.aspx/1198/1/LEE-90382

My Old Army shoots the REAL Bullet so well I never bothered to get the other mold.

Posted: 2/26/2015 11:15:58 AM EDT

[#3]

Just make sure they seal the chamber well so you don't get a chain fire. I am not familiar with the pressure curve of Herco, so this isn't an endorsement for that.

Post up a link to the conversion, that sounds interesting.

I have considered a .45 Colt conversion, but the price plus buying reloading dies makes me think twice. I have only shot my Old Army twice since I got it about 15 years ago.

I sure do like the feel of it.

Posted: 2/26/2015 11:16:53 AM EDT

[#4]

Quote History

Quoted:
I'm gonna need some pics and a source on this conversion. This is a conversion I was not aware of

But I shoot cast bullets out of mine with blackpowder. I have had good results with the Lee brand REAL bullet in .45 caliber and the traditional type cap and ball bullets.

Lee REAL Bullethttp://www.midwayusa.com/product/153994/lee-2-cavity-bullet-mold-45-250-real-45-caliber-467-diameter-250-grain-real
http://media.midwayusa.com/productimages/880x660/Primary/153/153994.jpg

Traditional cap and ball bullethttp://www.trackofthewolf.com/Categories/PartDetail.aspx/1198/1/LEE-90382
http://leeprecision.com/images/T/t-85.jpg

My Old Army shoots the REAL Bullet so well I never bothered to get the other mold.

View Quote

Thanks. Do you use pure lead or do you add tin?

Some machine the cylinder and others use a screw in nipple replacement.

Here's some details of the Gunsmiths that do the conversions.
http://www.anvilconversions.co.uk/index_files/Page564.htm
http://kershawguns.co.uk/smokeless_cyclinder_conversions.php
http://westlakeengineering.com/4640/4694.html

Any cartridge firearms with a barrel less than 12" and an OAL of 24" fall into restricted category. Hence the popularity of muzzle loaders.

Posted: 2/26/2015 11:41:01 AM EDT

[#5]

This is cool. I shoot mainly wheelweight alloy with tin in it with no problems. One of the things I like about the REAL bullet is the large lube rings hold a lot of lube. This and the.467 cast size trims a lot of lead off those rings and really seals the mouth of the chamber.

Posted: 3/4/2015 10:06:40 PM EDT

[#6]

the barrel is sized for a .458 lead ball. the lead ball will shoot to point of aim. the bullet will shoot a lot lower in a target (it's heavier and slower so will hit lower) (I've shot them and I reload for long colt and cap and ball. the ball might be a little more accurate. if you don't want to shoot black powder try Trail boss. it's a bulkier powder . I shoot a 1871/72 open top colt rep. in .44 and it's quite accurate(with 2F black powder.) the old army Ruger likes 3 F powder(you mail age may vary)

Posted: 3/5/2015 6:11:09 PM EDT

[#7]

Quote History

Quoted:
the barrel is sized for a .458 lead ball. the lead ball will shoot to point of aim. the bullet will shoot a lot lower in a target (it's heavier and slower so will hit lower) (I've shot them and I reload for long colt and cap and ball. the ball might be a little more accurate. if you don't want to shoot black powder try Trail boss. it's a bulkier powder . I shoot a 1871/72 open top colt rep. in .44 and it's quite accurate(with 2F black powder.) the old army Ruger likes 3 F powder(you mail age may vary)

View Quote

Not the it matters to the OP's question but quite often heavier slower bullets hit higher due to the longer barrel time as the barrel rises under recoil.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Ruger Old Army Nitro

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