Bowen Bearcat .22 Mag

[dougader]

Next you'll want one converted to 38 Special!

Cool gun, but I'd want better all around accuracy, too.

I see the link in your sig line for TN bullets. I've ordered from them and their bullets are good; the hand cast bullets are excellent.

 

[Erich]

The Single-Six in .38 (or 9!) would be pretty neat. Jessie at TVB really knows what he's doing, all right.

 

[AR1911]

Looks to me like boring out the cylinder would be pretty simple work.
It's what, .001 larger?

 

[Kevin]

awesome. I bet it is as nice to hold as it looks. Thanks, money well spent in my opinion.

 

[Erich]

Thanks - I'm hoping to get it back out to the range on Friday.

 

[Erich]

Just ran across this thread again. Some more pix:

 

[Larry from Bend]

Nice. Sure looks to be well-regulated to POA. I'm assuming 25 yards?

 

[Epishemore]

Could you please post some close up pics of the serrated/reshaped front sight blade?

Thanks in advance.

 

[hr2lrn]

Beautiful little gun. Great job! Wondering, how much does she kick?
RayG

 

[Bkat]

If memory serves me right...

John Linebaugh makes a 32 conversion of the Ruger Bearcat.

Think either the 22 WMR or a 32 Bearcat makes a neat little package expanding the potential of the gun.

Just curious--has anyone seen a Bearcat converted to .32? Could an original Bearcat cylinder actually be reamed to .32 or would you have to start with another type of cylinder?

Bkat

 

[flatgate]

Yes, I've handled John Linebaugh's .32. IIRC, he made a new cylinder from scratch. He also said "Nevermore"....

flatgate

 

[WIL TERRY]

If memory serves me right...

John Linebaugh makes a 32 conversion of the Ruger Bearcat.

Think either the 22 WMR or a 32 Bearcat makes a neat little package expanding the potential of the gun.

Just curious--has anyone seen a Bearcat converted to .32? Could an original Bearcat cylinder actually be reamed to .32 or would you have to start with another type of cylinder?

Bkat

YEP, worked fine. Same cylinder rechambered.

 

[Bkat]

YEP, worked fine. Same cylinder rechambered.

Thanks, Wil. I was a little surprised that the cylinder walls would still be thick enough. Guess it helps that the Bearcat cylinder is unfluted. Was it an OM, Super or NM?

If you ever have nothing to do, would love to see some pics of the conversion, especially the cylinder.

Thanks,
Bkat

 

[djw54]

If memory serves me right...

John Linebaugh makes a 32 conversion of the Ruger Bearcat.

Think either the 22 WMR or a 32 Bearcat makes a neat little package expanding the potential of the gun.

Just curious--has anyone seen a Bearcat converted to .32? Could an original Bearcat cylinder actually be reamed to .32 or would you have to start with another type of cylinder?

Bkat

Alan Harton has done them as well. Here's a thread with pictures of one: http://www.rugerforum.com/phpBB/viewtop ... on+bearcat

 

[Erich]

Proving that I have good taste, but maybe more money than sense (one certainly doesn't need one of these in a .22 Mag!) I did get the Belt Mountain base pin from Kelye Schlepp ; thanks to online amigo Wil Terry for the heads-up on the #5's availability for the Bearcat.

Loaded for bear . . . well, cats anyway!

A fellow asked me for close-ups of the front sight, so I thought I'd post them here as well in case anyone cares. (They're poorly done b/c my cheap camera's not good at such things.)

 

[Erich]

Oh, and Ray - the recoil is hardly noticeable.

 

[Groo]

Groo here
Hi Erich
That 22 mag hurt real bad..
I have a colt with both cylinders and found the LR was ok for plinking
but the mag was the way to go for trail..
The 22 mag is a most overlooked round ..
These customs get into your blood so be careful!!!!!!!!!!!
Started with a NV 357 to 41mag custom then found I "had"
to get a 475 linebaugh!!!!!!!!

 

[Erich]

LOL - uh oh, Groo!

 

[461]

I had my daughters Bearcat rechambered to .22Mag and while it was a rough project, I'm thrilled with the final product.

I started with a very well know smith whose name I will never utter in public again and then had Alan Harton fix and finish the job. Alan made it special and I have a ball with it.

Is there a reason to rechamber the Bearcat? Not really, but the fireball coming out of the barrel is a lot of fun, as is the loudcrack when you touch it off.

 

[Erich]

It's a dandy .22 Magnum, all right.