Super Bearcat ?

[Hammer]

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Are Ruger Super Bearcats considered highly desirable as compared to regular Bearcats ?

Can the original cylinder be rechambered to 22 Magnum Rimfire ?

Can a 85% condition one be rechambered to 22 Magnum Rimfire without the wrath of collectors coming down on one's head ?


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[comanche]

yes?
yes &
yes.

 

[flatgate]

The "most collectible" Bearcats are, in this Collector's opinion, the aluminum framed examples. It's in that group that the really "good stuff" lies. Example you ask? Duplicate serial numbered guns, Factory Seconds (S-guns), out of sequence serial numbered guns, low serial numbered guns, etc.

All Bearcats and Super Bearcats have steel cylinders made from Ruger's high quality steels. Rechambering to .22 magnum has been a rather common modification over the years. I, personally, wouldn't bother since the cost and noise sways me to stick with the .22 LR.

Ruger did indeed make .22 magnum/.22 LR New Bearcat convertibles in the early 1980's. They experienced some trouble but their explanation hasn't convinced me that they were indeed really having trouble......
That's a topic for a different thread.

JMHO,

flatgate

 

[Hammer]

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Not a question as to collectability...

But do you find the all-steel Super Bearcat shoots any better than the regular Bearcat ?


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[rugnelli]

"Ruger did indeed make .22 magnum/.22 LR New Bearcat convertibles in the early 1980's."

Early 1980's? Are you sure?

rugnelli

 

[flatgate]

Are you sure?

OK, I checked my notes.... (darn CRS) ....... late '93. Sorry.

Three in a row.

flatgate

 

[Hammer]

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flatgate,

Are the frames of your 22 LR / 22 WMR convertible Bearcats the same dimensions as other Bearcats ?


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[flatgate]

No, sir, they are not. They are longer. I don't have the dimensions, but ALL the "New Model", i.e. New Bearcats have longer cylinder frames and longer cylinders.

flatgate

 

[Hammer]

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So an original Super Bearcat is not suitable for the 22 WMR conversion ?

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[chet15]

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So an original Super Bearcat is not suitable for the 22 WMR conversion ?

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I would say no, since the reason for making the NEW BEARCAT with a longer cylinder opening was to accomodate the .22 Mag.
Chet15

 

[flatgate]

I dunno. What I do know is that a lot of them have been converted to .22 mag.

The ONLY caveat I can think of is COL vs. cylinder length. I do not know the bore size of the OM Super Bearcat and would assume it's a standard .22 LR unlike the Single-Sixes slightly larger bore.

Now, let's don't forget that several "big name" Gunsmiths do this conversion on a regular basis.....and utilize the original barrel, IIRC.

Click HERE for a GunBlast article.

flatgate

 

[rugnelli]

flatgate,

I wasn't trying to be a wise-guy, just making sure the information was correct.

Of course, it is always a bonus when you post the picture of "Three in a row".

Best regards,

rugnelli

 

[Ale-8(1)]

I just happen to have an original "old model" Bearcat right here, and a typical .22 Magnum cartridge.

Observation seems to indicate the body of the original .22LR cylinder is essentially the same length as the .22 Magnum round. Given manufacturing tolerances on both the gun and the cartridge, I'd not guarantee it would work . . . in all guns. You might luck out on some.

There is adequate room in the cylinder "window" of the frame to make the cylinder body say 1/16" or so longer to guarantee proper fit, and there's more than that of the barrel extending into the "window" so it could be trimmed back to match the lengthened cylinder.

I'd be real tempted to try merely trimming 1/16" or so off the tip of the bullet (!) and re-chambering the cylinder for the Magnum cartridge . . . if I wanted to sacrifice my 'cat to the experiment . . . which I don't.

Doesn't look like rocket science in any event. How well it would perform, I haven't a clue.

 

[5of7]

I would consider the 22 Mg to be a little much for the Bearcat in terms of noise, but the old 22 WRF offers a little more snap than the regular 22 LR, and should be a nice round to shoot in a Bearcar that has been adapted to shoot 22 Mg.s.