Accuracy testing a Single Six

Help Support Ruger Forum:

Hylander

Single-Sixer
Joined
May 1, 2008
Messages
421
Location
California
So took a nice older NM Single Six to the range this morning.
Gun was was thoroughly cleaned before hand.
First experience with a NM Single Six, 22LR and 22 Mag.
Tested a few different brands of ammo.
All groups shot at only 10yds., avg. for 6 shot groups

First .22LR:

First: Win. 555 Bulk 1.69"
Second: Mini-Mag HP 1.23"
Third: Blazer .95
Fourth: CCI Standard .72

Second: .22 Mag:

I fired three different brands and types, they were all bad.
Averaging 4", Shotgun Patterns :(
I really want to like it but the accuracy seems sub par.
I know about the Compromise bore size, but is this the norm for a Single Six ?

.22LR groups .67 and .78

51410429447_66c74aa6e6.jpg


.22 Mag is 4.020 :shock:

51411173296_1fa851c9a2_z.jpg
 

Cholo

Moderator
Staff member
Moderator
Joined
Dec 30, 2008
Messages
8,207
Location
Georgia
You didn't say how you tested so I'm guessing it's off a bench.

35-40 years ago I tested 3 brands of 22LR ​in my '75 SS @ 25 yds off sandbags. I shot 6-6 rd. groups of each brand. I got the following results:

1) CCI Mini Mag HP 1.98"

2) Winchester Western Power Point HP 1.84"

3) Remington Golden Bullets HP 2.6"

I used to be a pretty good bench shooter, but I'm certain it was capable of better groups. I never shot bulk ammo back then.

I did sight it in once off bags with Winchester SuperX 40 gr. 22 Mag. JHP's. I didn't measure the groups, but I remember being satisfied with them so they couldn't have been much different than the 22LR's as far as accuracy.
 

woodsy

Blackhawk
Joined
Jan 5, 2012
Messages
958
Location
Seymour, CT
For me, it's unfortunate that the "ballisticsbytheinch" website did not do accuracy testing. But they did do a whole lot of other stuff, including how inappropriate it is/was to offer .22 Mag for handguns. Said cartridge was designed for rifles, in which the increased powder charge could be utilized by a rifle's longer barrel. In a handgun it simply results in blast, noise, and a lot of light.
JMHO
 

msp2640

Single-Sixer
Joined
Nov 26, 2012
Messages
194
Location
Home of the Pilgrims! MA
Hylander - Just my thoughts....if the revolver was purchased used, see if the 3 etched digits on the 22 Mag cylinder face, match the last 3 of the serial number to see if the cylinder is original to the revolver. If you have a way to measure the cylinder throats in comparison to the LR cylinder? I have 2 different NM Single Sixes dual cylinder models, a 2016 SS with a 4 5/8" bbl, which I purchased new, and a 1990 Blued model with a 9 1/2" bbl, which I picked up used - original box and cylinders, but in very nice condition about 6 months ago. I shoot more 22 Mag ammo thru them, than LR, but I'm a fan of the Mag round. I'm not the greatest shot, but both will go into 1-1.5" at 25yds of a bench and bags, if I do my part - most recently that was with CCI Maxi Mag JHPs. I will say that both have Belt Mountain base pins, which seemed to make the action much "tighter". I did not do any testing with either one, before I swapped the pins, so I have no before and after comparisons. If it shoots your LR well, then just my guess, that it may be an issue with the Mag cylinder. Hope that helps - Bill in MA
 

Hylander

Single-Sixer
Joined
May 1, 2008
Messages
421
Location
California
msp2640,
The mag cylinder is not matched to the gun. I think it is from a 3 screw as it is fluted. All measurements are proper, lockup is tight. Pretty sure timing is off.
 

msp2640

Single-Sixer
Joined
Nov 26, 2012
Messages
194
Location
Home of the Pilgrims! MA
It's funny you mention that, as I'm a fan of the fluted cylinder look vs the non fluted look. After receiving the blued long barreled model, I started to look around for a fluted cylinder, purely for the look. Sticking to the old adage, shoot it first before making changes - I highly doubt a different fluted cylinder would shoot better than the factory non fluted model on mine. After firing it the first few times, I gave up the idea.........doesn't mean I gave up the thought of having the Mag cylinder sent out to have it "fluted" but probably not worth the cost, rebluing, which probably won't match and it would most likely shoot exactly the same! I have read here, that early NM Mag cylinders were fluted as well until 1975 or so, but I'm not sure where I got that info. Thanks, Bill
 

Hondo44

Hawkeye
Joined
Apr 3, 2009
Messages
8,040
Location
People's Republik of California
I have several convertible single sixes and they all shoot well with the magnum cyls. Better with some ammo than others

First you need to fire 4 rounds from each chamber with a separate target for each chamber. That'll tell you if you just have a bad chamber or a couple of bad chambers in the mag cyl.

If you're flinching when shooting the mag ammo because of recoil, noise or both, or even if you're not, have someone you know that shoots well, shoot the gun from a bench rest.

Let us know the results and we'll go from there for solutions.

If the cyl locks up on each chamber when hammer is cocked and you don't have lead spitting from the barrel/cyl gap, you don't have a timing problem.

Are there any numbers at all pencil engraved or stamped on the front face of the cyl (use magnification and clean the surface to see them)? It could be the original cyl, why do you think it isn't?

Serial numbers are not full proof for when the gun was made. Fluted mag cyls were shipped in guns at least thru 1976 and some even later.
 

Hylander

Single-Sixer
Joined
May 1, 2008
Messages
421
Location
California
Hondo44 said:
I have several convertible single sixes and they all shoot well with the magnum cyls. Better with some ammo than others

First you need to fire 4 rounds from each chamber with a separate target for each chamber. That'll tell you if you just have a bad chamber or a couple of bad chambers in the mag cyl.

No bad chambers, I did test each one

If you're flinching when shooting the mag ammo because of recoil, noise or both, or even if you're not, have someone you know that shoots well, shoot the gun from a bench rest.

Shooting is from a solid rest.
No flinching, I shoot 44Mag with full house loads and group under 2" at 50yds. (Scoped)
45 Colt 2"-2.5" at 25yds open sights.


Let us know the results and we'll go from there for solutions.

If the cyl locks up on each chamber when hammer is cocked and you don't have lead spitting from the barrel/cyl gap, you don't have a timing problem.

Lead does Spit with the Mag Cylinder, hits me in the face.
I finally got a chance to check with an Endoscope and timing is off.


Are there any numbers at all pencil engraved or stamped on the front face of the cyl (use magnification and clean the surface to see them)? It could be the original cyl, why do you think it isn't?

Not original, it was acquired separate from a different source.

Serial numbers are not full proof for when the gun was made. Fluted mag cyls were shipped in guns at least thru 1976 and some even later.
 

Hondo44

Hawkeye
Joined
Apr 3, 2009
Messages
8,040
Location
People's Republik of California
I think you meant no bad chambers.

But what does that mean? To me that means each chamber grouped it's 4 shots well, either in the center or off center but still tight. Or did every chamber scatter the shots all over? What were your groups like?

The timing is not off, each time you cock the hammer it rotates the cyl to lock up, right?

It sounds like you have a cyl misalignment problem, therefore the lead spitting. You can not correct that with timing. It's a bad cylinder! The cylinder notch locations are not machined in alignment with the chambers to position them in line with the barrel.

Is the lead splatter on the barrel forcing cone all at the same point; 9 o'clock, 3 o'clock or?
 

Hylander

Single-Sixer
Joined
May 1, 2008
Messages
421
Location
California
Hondo44 said:
I think you meant no bad chambers.

Sorry, Yes I did and corrected

But what does that mean? To me that means each chamber grouped it's 4 shots well, either in the center or off center but still tight. Or did every chamber scatter the shots all over? What were your groups like?

The timing is not off, each time you cock the hammer it rotates the cyl to lock up, right?

Yes

It sounds like you have a cyl misalignment problem, therefore the lead spitting. You can not correct that with timing. It's a bad cylinder! The cylinder notch locations are not machined in alignment with the chambers to position them in line with the barrel.

Yes Misalignment, I used the wrong terminology.

Is the lead splatter on the barrel forcing cone all at the same point; 9 o'clock, 3 o'clock or?

Sorry, did not check that, but got hit in the face with spatter.

Thanks for the input, I am learning a lot.
 

Hondo44

Hawkeye
Joined
Apr 3, 2009
Messages
8,040
Location
People's Republik of California
Hylander said:
Hondo44 said:
Is the lead splatter on the barrel forcing cone all at the same point; 9 o'clock, 3 o'clock or?

Sorry, did not check that, but got hit in the face with spatter.

Thanks for the input, I am learning a lot.

You will see where the splatter marks are on the forcing cone of the barrel and usually one side or the other or at the top inside edges of the cyl window.
 
Joined
Mar 14, 2017
Messages
523
What barrel length? 22WMR is not a pistol cartridge so it's gonna have trouble in a short barrel with comprise bore.
Digging up an old thread but:

Yes, it is a very effective handgun cartridge. I have a number of 22mag revolvers and they all shoot very well, regardless of barrel length. I don't know who started this train of thought, but it's wrong.
 
Top