50 rnds really slicked up the action. It wasn't bad out of the box, noticeably smoother after a box of ammo. The only feeding issues (2) were when I didn't fully open the action with the rediculous large loop. The last 1/4" of lever rotation opening the action is important. I took the ramp out from under the rear sight. With the front bead in the bottom of the rear buckhorn it was hitting 2" high @15yd, 4" high@50 yds. I added a 5 1/2" extension to the stock, including a cut down slip on recoil pad. I countersunk 1/4" lag bolts from the back, into pilot holes drilled in the factory stubb stock. All in all, exactly what I was looking for. The shortest legal and practical package to carry with enough power to be useful. 45 Colt reloads are even, or sometimes a bit ahead of 44 MAG loads. No, not beyond max 45 loads, just beyond what old guns and flat top revolvers are good for.
Rossi 92 Ranch Hand 45 Colt impressions
- Thread starter emerson
- Start date
- Location
- Southern Vancouver Island
Hit the range today. Using Ruger, T/C load data has a bit more pop. I'm in the middle of Hogdon's H110 data, no pressure signs. I don't have any other 45 Colt so no confusion about which ammo goes with which gun. It's a bear gun so plinking loads don't do what I need. Holding it firmly is a good idea. I have a rubber butt pad on my "custom" stock extension, it's helpful. With the deeper rear notch if I put the front beed fully visible in the bottom with the rear terraced ramp removed it shoots dead centre @25 yds. Did some 3 rnd groups @50yds, 2 1/2", 3 3/4", 2 7/8", all off a front rest. It was quite foggy so hard to see the black@50 with irons and 40 something eyes. A flat top sight picture using a 6'oclock hold would probably work too, just not a fan of that sight picture.
A half inch tall front sight of your preferred style( fibre optic, Small or large brass bead, white bead, square....) is a good investment.
I filled down my rear notch to work as well, but the sight line ends up quite low basicly along top of the receiver....raising the front sight and using the elevator on the rear sight makes for an easier to acquire sight picture for me.
I filled down my rear notch to work as well, but the sight line ends up quite low basicly along top of the receiver....raising the front sight and using the elevator on the rear sight makes for an easier to acquire sight picture for me.
I"ve been thinking about putting a small red dot on mine.
Are you thinking Epoxy for the rail?
This one looks pretty well made for a no "gunsmith" rail that mounts to existing holes on the receiver andthe rear sight's dovetail. I don't know why Rossi doesn't sell the Ranchhand drilled and tapped with a rail option.
http://www.mod94scoperail.com/purchase.html
I wouldn't want to epoxy on a rail, I don't think. Maybe one like in your link or maybe it's better to drill and tap...I don't know much about these style of firearms. Definitely I'll do some googling on mounting systems.
All I know is that for the role most of these guns play, I think a compact red dot would be ideal. The issue sights work but are not even close to ideal and aperture sights would be an improvement but without consistent cheek/stock contact even those aren't perfect. A red dot would be way faster and easier to use.
A couple of years ago I had very little red dot experience and wouldn't have trusted them on a rough use rifle. Now I think the opposite.
All I know is that for the role most of these guns play, I think a compact red dot would be ideal. The issue sights work but are not even close to ideal and aperture sights would be an improvement but without consistent cheek/stock contact even those aren't perfect. A red dot would be way faster and easier to use.
A couple of years ago I had very little red dot experience and wouldn't have trusted them on a rough use rifle. Now I think the opposite.
If I was to mount a red dot is go with one of these personally. I've seen the horizontal flat of the rear aight drilled and tapped for a pic rail aswell, either choice beats any permanent modification IMO
I've got a SPARC that I don't trust on a "need to work" gun. Spending $300+ on a battery powered appliance for a gun I expect to use at rock throwing distance doesn't work for me. I've use the SPARC on a 22 for grouse, I found it not precise enough. I've also missed a wolf because my scope (Leo, not Vortex) lense had condensation on it. Again, not ideal for a "bear @10yds not stopping" situation.
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I've seen the modified rear sights as well, good choice for a micro red dot for sure.
Pearson's no drill rail gives options for mounting more then just a red dot, a quick release flashlight or laser can be easily added and he even has a rear sight mark built into the rail so that you can use the front sight without optics if you needed to.
There are some great optics/red dots out there, but not cheap. Simple and cheap works for this application for me right now.
If I was to mount a red dot is go with one of these personally. I've seen the horizontal flat of the rear aight drilled and tapped for a pic rail aswell, either choice beats any permanent modification IMO
That's pretty cool. Where do I find one?
It's a goofy looking Hollywood lever action, it's not some classic heirloom grade collectable.
So is that buttstock and aftermarket? Come with the brass butt?
My Ranch hands NEED functional buttstocks.....they are currently fairly silly with the oem mares leg.....I can make hits on human sillouetes offhand centre mass at 20m but anything finer than that is tough.
I have a 44 and 357 version.
The 44 is a great sleeping bag/tent weapon for predator protection and it's size/shape/performance is suitable....altho a 8 or 12in 870 also suits and is a lil more snag proof coming out of a sleeping bag.
Looking for buttstock options for these rifles?
Boyds or ??
LUV that walnut brass butted version .....
- Location
- Behind a large rock
So is that buttstock and aftermarket? Come with the brass butt?
My Ranch hands NEED functional buttstocks.....they are currently fairly silly with the oem mares leg.....I can make hits on human sillouetes offhand centre mass at 20m but anything finer than that is tough.
I have a 44 and 357 version.
The 44 is a great sleeping bag/tent weapon for predator protection and it's size/shape/performance is suitable....altho a 8 or 12in 870 also suits and is a lil more snag proof coming out of a sleeping bag.
Looking for buttstock options for these rifles?
Boyds or ??
LUV that walnut brass butted version .....
God some days CGN makes me shake my head... You keep a defensive gun IN your sleeping bag? Lol
