UPDATE: Rossi Ranch Hand Mares Leg

dbxdiver said:
just came on and saw the comments my post created I in no way called any person on this forum "dumb" in fact i come on here and have been helped by many on many subjects. I only stated that in my opinion it is not the gun for me, IE: "dumb design" if you like it go for it, for all those that have made refrence to me being bent or too deep too often maybe you are right, But it was all done for your well being, Can-down saw the video and it was 21 sec 3 shots but nothing showing impact.
If I offended anyone I am sorry.

last post on this matter.
Click to expand...

No offense diver, lot's of people feel the same way about it, but until you try one it's best to reserve judgement.
If you click on the icon in the corner of the video to go full screen and look carefully (not great resolution) you can see the spray off the metal plates hitting the ground and if you turn up the volume you can hear the hits.
The can is a lot easier to see not sure how you missed that.

I was not setting any speed records that's for sure and taking my time aiming but this was my second time out shooting the gun after I adjusted the rear sight to my liking so I was still pretty new to the gun.
 
Thunder-Stick said:
Howdy All,

I'm new to CGN... its really a fantastic resource for Canadian shooters & hunters!

I've read thru the Rossi Ranch Hand thread... all 270ish pages worth (took a few days)! I've been looking at the RH for a while (I have yet to place an order… will do as soon as the .44 Mag comes in stock) and this has proved to be a great education. It felt good reading thru this thread as it confirmed some of the ‘issues’ with the RH that I suspected (even without holding one) - e.g. grip/stance, working the action w/o a full stock & sights, etc. I’m primarily interested in the RH for backcountry camping, etc. and wilderness protection… maybe some hunting down the road.

So to summarize the ‘sights’ issue… seems to me that the choices in remedying the ‘shoots high’ problem are:

1) Leave/use the OEM rear sight (with some filing & cutting down) WITH a replacement front sight that is .570” tall (e.g. Brownells Marble Contour Barrel Mounted Front Sight .570” SKU #579-105-731WB)

OR

2) Replace both the front & rear sights (e.g. Brownells Marble Contour Barrel Mounted Front Sight .538” SKU #579-105-331WB AND Marble Dovetail Flat Top Long Rear Sight SKU #579-066-001WB)

OR

3) Replace both the front & rear sights (e.g. Steve’s Gunz - Any Brass/Ivory/Fiber Optic Front Sight AND Flat Top Rear Sight)

OR

4) Replace both the front & rear sights (e.g. Steve’s Gunz - Any Brass/Ivory/Fiber Optic Front Sight AND Bolt-Mounted Peep (Safety Replacement) Rear Sight)

Any more comments and/or personal experience on these options?

Regards and keep posting!
Click to expand...

Thanks Altagunnut, Kanaima & Boomer for the replies & insight. Any more thoughts on sights from fellow 'Ranchers'?
 
Thunder-Stick said:
Thanks Altagunnut, Kanaima & Boomer for the replies & insight. Any more thoughts on sights from fellow 'Ranchers'?
Click to expand...

Go with the highest front sight you can find.....easy to lift the rear sight a bit ( but you probably won't need to), and a higher sight line is more comfortable to aim with these little guys.

A rail and red dot would be perfect.
 
I confess I was one of those "why the heck would you want that" people and then I shot one. I saw the pro's and cons - BUT... It SERIOUSLY fills a place in ultralight usability.

I have a Marlin 45-70 that I LOVE and it is probably 'The' back country defence carry rifle - BUT, for a LIGHT, wearable while working or doing other tasks RIFLE for CLOSE and QUICK reactions - The Mare's Leg WORKS.

I like mine for how 'out of the way' it is.

(**Not trying to hijack holsters Wantstalls - just showing how wearable the rifle is)
[youtube]qMr3oDn7rno[/youtube]

Can-down said:
No offense diver, lot's of people feel the same way about it, but until you try one it's best to reserve judgement.
Click to expand...
 
Can-down said:
Go with the highest front sight you can find.....easy to lift the rear sight a bit ( but you probably won't need to), and a higher sight line is more comfortable to aim with these little guys.

A rail and red dot would be perfect.
Click to expand...

Great. Does anyone know where 'tall' front sights (.570") can sourced/bought in Canuck-Land? Typically, the ones I've seen are not usually that tall.
 
I have been way too busy so I have not gotten out hunting with my ranch hand.
Besides I have been to chicken s**t to drill and tap the barrel for the scout mount myself.
I do not like the Rossi's scout mount it does not take the reflex site that I have for it.
So I am having a custom made scope mount made for it.
I will be on the mainland. This week so I will drop it off at the local gunsmith to have it worked on will post pictures and results with the new mount.
(I have taken out newbies out shooting my other mare's legs and they love shooting them. Especially the ladies love shooting the Henry 22 mares leg! )
 
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What's your intended use Thunder-Stick? Do you want to keep it as a period correct "mares Leg" or is the fiber optic option okay?
 
Dovetail Alert!!

Kanaima said:
What's your intended use Thunder-Stick? Do you want to keep it as a period correct "mares Leg" or is the fiber optic option okay?
Click to expand...

And don't overlook the fact that Rossi dovetails are a slightly different size than the usual dovetails. See the Skinner's Sights website for details. The Rossi is .390 and "Most Rifles" is .375

It wouldn't be an issue if you're ordering from Steve's Gunz ... which is specifically Rossi-oriented ... but make certain of the Rossi requirement if you're getting it from other also-excellent sources like Brownell's or Skinner's Sights.
 
Don't let this question sidetrack the discussion, but after reading a fair number of these posts, I'm now giving this some thought.

It looks like it would be available now on the Wanstalls site in .44LC, but do we often see .44Magnum/Special or .357Magnum/.38Special in stock (same price?)

The loop looks a bit kooky, but that may be largely because of the short nature of the rifle. Is that loop particularly large? The metal looks thin - does it stand up to routine use (I wouldn't be using it as a hammer, but it looks like I could bend it by dropping it).
 
FWIW: to all the people who are put off by the short butt stock on the RH, on a U.S. based gun site I belong to I mentioned this "problem" and I got several responses.
One of them was that since in the U.S.A. you would run into trouble with the B.A.T.F. if you put a full stock on one, (something about a "short rifle" they said) therefore people are putting a sling of sorts attached to the saddle ring and attaching it to the neck/shoulder.
after adjusting the sling length what you apparently do is "push away from yourself" untill sight picture is steadied and then let off your shot.
It works pretty well according to the folk's who are doing it.
HTH
Eric
 
Thunder-Stick said:
Howdy All,

I'm new to CGN... its really a fantastic resource for Canadian shooters & hunters!

I've read thru the Rossi Ranch Hand thread... all 270ish pages worth (took a few days)! I've been looking at the RH for a while (I have yet to place an order… will do as soon as the .44 Mag comes in stock) and this has proved to be a great education. It felt good reading thru this thread as it confirmed some of the ‘issues’ with the RH that I suspected (even without holding one) - e.g. grip/stance, working the action w/o a full stock & sights, etc. I’m primarily interested in the RH for backcountry camping, etc. and wilderness protection… maybe some hunting down the road.

So to summarize the ‘sights’ issue… seems to me that the choices in remedying the ‘shoots high’ problem are:

1) Leave/use the OEM rear sight (with some filing & cutting down) WITH a replacement front sight that is .570” tall (e.g. Brownells Marble Contour Barrel Mounted Front Sight .570” SKU #579-105-731WB)

OR

2) Replace both the front & rear sights (e.g. Brownells Marble Contour Barrel Mounted Front Sight .538” SKU #579-105-331WB AND Marble Dovetail Flat Top Long Rear Sight SKU #579-066-001WB)

OR

3) Replace both the front & rear sights (e.g. Steve’s Gunz - Any Brass/Ivory/Fiber Optic Front Sight AND Flat Top Rear Sight)

OR

4) Replace both the front & rear sights (e.g. Steve’s Gunz - Any Brass/Ivory/Fiber Optic Front Sight AND Bolt-Mounted Peep (Safety Replacement) Rear Sight)

Any more comments and/or personal experience on these options?

Regards and keep posting!
Click to expand...

You would do well with option 2. I've just installed the same set on
my Ranch Hand in .45 Colt and they fit right &tight, so there ain't
no worries about the new Rossi dovetails as far as Marbles sights
are concerned. I get my sights from Brownell's.
watermark.php

I used the same front sight on my .357 Ranchy in conjunction with
a Marbles longblade Bullseye sight and they work great.
It's all up to personal taste.

To answer sulisa's question, yes the large loop lever is a bit kooky,
but is not too thin. I'm gonna modify the one on my .45 to a midsized
lever to accomidate a gloved hand for cold weather conditions.
She'll also be getting a laminate stock set in nutmeg brown from
Opuntia Lake Sports in Sask. There's a bunch of us Nutz that are
in on a group buy for these stocks thanks to Boomer74.
Anyone wanting Canadian made full length stock sets should contact
Rich McCrea at OLS. They have website. ;)
 
Kanaima said:
What's your intended use Thunder-Stick? Do you want to keep it as a period correct "mares Leg" or is the fiber optic option okay?
Click to expand...

I'm primarily planning to use it for wilderness defense. I'm not overly concerned about keeping it 'period correct'... so I'm open to a fiber optic front sight. Having said that, though, I also like the solid front sights as they are a little more durable during hikes/bush-walking, etc.
 
have you guys had a look at (BBTI-ballistics by the inch .)
I do not knew how to post the link .
It is quite interesting looking at the ballistics shooting 44 Magnum, 357 Magnum, 45 colt.
There is not much difference between shooting them out of a 12 inch rifle barrel or a 18 inch barrel.
Example 44 Magnum federal 240 hydra-shock JHP shot out of a 12 inch barrel is doing 1579fps!
The same 44 Magnum federal 240 hydra-shock JHP shot of a 18 inch barrel is only doing 1643fps.
 
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carverk said:
have you guys had a look at (BBTI-ballistics by the inch .)
I do not knew how to post the link .
It is quite interesting looking at the ballistics shooting 44 Magnum, 357 Magnum, 45 colt.
There is not much difference between shooting them out of a 12 inch rifle barrel or a 18 inch barrel.
Example 44 Magnum federal 240 hydra-shock JHP shot out of a 12 inch barrel is doing 1579fps!
The same 44 Magnum federal 240 hydra-shock JHP shot of a 18 inch barrel is only doing 1643fps.
Click to expand...

Interesting numbers! So, a decrease of 64 fps from a carbine to the Ranch Hand is a drop of less than 4%.

That's interesting information to know, Carverk ... thank you. :)
 
boomer49 said:
Interesting numbers! So, a decrease of 64 fps from a carbine to the Ranch Hand is a drop of less than 4%.

That's interesting information to know, Carverk ... thank you. :)
Click to expand...

Google BBTI-ballistics by the inch
you get similar results for the 357 Magnum as well as 45 colt maybe somebody can post a link.
 
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Just finished up a mid-size lever at my buddy's shop. It was easy work for him to
cut, hand bend & cut off the excess metal after cold shaping, Then Tig weld the
joint. Total time for this process was 10 minutes. (Half a beer)
To re-answer sulisa's question, Don't drop the bugger hard onto the lever.
It's easy to bend. Now all I gotta do is blend the weld and re-blue.:D
watermark.php
 
SHELL SHUCKER said:
Just finished up a mid-size lever at my buddy's shop. It was easy work for him to
cut, hand bend & cut off the excess metal after cold shaping, Then Tig weld the
joint. Total time for this process was 10 minutes. (Half a beer)
To re-answer sulisa's question, Don't drop the bugger hard onto the lever.
It's easy to bend. Now all I gotta do is blend the weld and re-blue.:D
watermark.php
Click to expand...

Nice...

I am thinking of doing the exact same thing.

Share a pic once it is back together.
 
Hmm I ordered the exact same sights for my 44 ranch hand as shell shucker has on his 45 from brownells and my front sight fits fine but my rear dovetail is to loose to secure the marbles sight so I had to stay with the stocker :(
 
G.Mitchell said:
Nice...

I am thinking of doing the exact same thing.

Share a pic once it is back together.
Click to expand...

I'll definitely do that fer sure.

To answer Altagunnut's problem with the rear sight being loose,
put a tiny dab of JB Weld on the backside of the rifle's dovetail
and put the sight into the center position and let harden overnite.
Be sure that the sights' dovetail has a proper coating of Johnsons Paste wax
on it before sliding it in and that the rifle's dovetail has been degreased
with alcohol or acetone on a Q-Tip so the goop will adhere proper.
Ensure that the area around the barrel dovetail has a thin coat of
paste wax as well as the bottom flat and front of the dovetail.
Front meaning toward the muzzle.

By a tiny dab, I mean just a small bit on the end of a toothpick and
work it into the back of the rifle's dovetail. If you have any goop
overhanging the dovetail, wait about an hour to let it firm up to the point
where you can slice it off with an xacto knife. The edge of the blade will
also take off any smear of JB left on the barrel.

Oh, the fun of tinkering.;)
 
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