New to me: Ruger Old Army Stainless 7.5" (1976 Production)

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THREEDFLYER

Bearcat
Joined
Jan 5, 2011
Messages
16
Location
Salmon, Idaho
One of my hunting partners used to own one of these many years ago and I always liked the look/feel and accuracy of these guns.....not to mention how strong they are!

So I put out some feelers out and was fortunate to acquire this nearly new condition 1976 production stainless 7.5" model recently.

The shocking part is how much these ROA's have gone up in price....they were produced from 1972 until 2008 and offered in a blue or stainless version and fixed or target sights were options as well as 5.5" or 7.5" barrel lengths....with some much longer lengths including a buntline model.

These take a .457 diameter projectile and most folks use a standard lead round ball, but conical bullets are certainly out there.

This one is so clean I am almost reluctant to shoot it.....almost.....but it will be shot very soon!

I would eventually like to have a blue version with target sights and a 5.5" version with fixed sights.

I also came across this Bianchi holster that fits well, and I am getting one of the Bianchi flap holsters that are RUGER marked this week from a local connection.

***A LITTLE HELP*** I am trying to locate some lead conical bullets to use in this fine weapon......anyone know of a source??






 
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contender

Ruger Guru
Joined
Sep 18, 2002
Messages
25,141
Location
Lake Lure NC USA
Nice gun there.

A bit of info.
Check the rollmarking on the cylinder. A small number of those have what we call a "reverse rollmark." Basically, the cylinders were marked backwards.

Next,, in your search for conicals,, you may discover that in general,, they shoot less accurately than the round balls.

You answered your own comment about the rise in prices with the fact that Ruger no longer makes them.
 

THREEDFLYER

Bearcat
Joined
Jan 5, 2011
Messages
16
Location
Salmon, Idaho
I'll check the rollmark on the cylinder.
I have not yet shot this one, and I am looking forward to it with the round ball that I have.
Yes, supply/demand is always a factor when it comes to buying quality firearms........these are superb!
 

contender

Ruger Guru
Joined
Sep 18, 2002
Messages
25,141
Location
Lake Lure NC USA
Without going to look at my OA with the "Liberty" markings,, I think it's on top of the barrel. He didn't show that picture.
 
Joined
Sep 1, 2003
Messages
7,095
Location
Richmond Texas USA
Welcome to the smoke and fire world of Gunpowder:)

These are a couple of Modified nickel plated OAs I have shot a weeeeeeeeee bit in SASS matches. Both in 45 Colt and Cap and Ball.
I use a .454 ball rather than the .457 that Ruger recommends. The .454 will still cut a small ring and seal and makes loading MUCH easier. I also do NOT put any GOOP on the face of the cylinder. Most of the SASS Guys I shoot with don't either. Chain fire comes from the rear of the cyl. do to missing and loose caps.
I think I used .454 250 Gr. LFPs once and decided it was way to much work. I'm not to sure that you can find .457 bullets since most are .452 to fit the modern 1911 and 45 Colt. Yes you can get .454s
If you plan on getting serious about shooting the OAs I would suggest you get some Treso nipples and use Remington #10 caps pushed on tight with your push stick if you want it to go bang every time. I use 25 gr. of 3F Gunpowder to make noise and smoke.


1330559475.jpg

1321217468-1.jpg

Notice that my OAs don't have the ram rod attached because I use one of these to load with. Makes life MUCH easier. I also install the caps with the cylinder OUT of the frame using my fingers. I have never found a capper that works worth a crap.
th


With the ram rods in.

1315520971.jpg

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Where did the target go:)
 

larry8

Single-Sixer
Joined
Aug 23, 2011
Messages
432
Location
NE SC USA
I too use the .454 balls, but I have 500 .457 and 500 .454 balls to play with. I us a 30gr. pellet as I could never get the exact same amount of 4f to make every shot alike.
 

weaselmeatgravy

Moderator
Staff member
Moderator
Joined
Mar 28, 2001
Messages
3,081
Location
Colorado native, Vermont transplant
Nice gun. I don't believe there were "some much longer lengths including a buntline model", only 7.5" for years and then 5.5" later (the short ones are scarce and expensive). This one has the standard cylinder rollmark which can be seen in the larger pic when clicked/zoomed. The backward cylinder rollmark was only on a few of the 1975 no-prefix guns. The Liberty rollmark is indeed on top of the barrel on the 1976 models. The introduction of the serial number prefix on the stainless guns happened in 1976 and the prefixed Liberty is actually scarcer than the no prefix Liberty gun.
 

Rclark

Hunter
Joined
Jan 1, 2009
Messages
3,533
Location
Butte, MT
Very nice. Everyone should have one of the finest cap/ball revolver ever made in their stable.

I have several and enjoy shooting them. I've since completed my collection (as far as I want to go) with a blued 5 1/2" fixed sighted revolver (not shown below). I shoot the adjustable sighted blued 7 1/2" more than any of them. I'll never wear them out as long as I keep them clean (which I do of course).

All I've shot is round ball. I do use .457 balls and I don't find them hard to load at all. Accurate enough for some smokey fun at the range.
 

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