Getting a (new) Grip

The Rosewood Grips on the Ruger Single Six are OK but I decided to spice it up a little.

Lil'Gun Powder and the 32 H&R Magnum

On the Hodgdon Powder Company's website they list Load Data for their products.  A powder I've heard good things about is Lil'Gun.  The data shows it producing impressive velocities and relatively lower pressures.

For the 100 grain SPR JHP bullet the MAX load comes in at 19,900 CUP and produces 1208 fps in a 5" Barrel.

I used the excellent RCBS 32-98 SWC with this powder and worked up to this load.  At the MAX charge my 5.5" Ruger Single Six chronographed

1287
1266
1299
1297
1288
1285

The accuracy was impressive.  It was pleasant to shoot though there was a noticeable fireball and the recoil felt similar to a 38 special in a small revolver.

The 1894 Marlin Cowboy this same load produces 1750 fps.  The bore shows no signs of leading despite being a plain based bullet though the bore is left speckled with powder zombies.  The accuracy was also promising though the range was too short to be conclusive.

More testing is required.

CCI Quiet-22

I've been impressed with this ammo in my rifles and decided to give it a try in the Single Six.  The velocity averaged 582 fps and accuracy was nearly as good as HV ammo at 25'.  It will pass through two milk jugs of water and be caught in the third.  The report is greatly reduced.  I'm thinking this may be ideal for Grouse.

A Companion for the 32 Single Six

Marlin didn't make many of these but I happened into one I couldn't walk away from.

32 caliber Marlin 1894 - 32-20 Cowboy Carbine (top) and 32 H&R Magnum Cowboy (bottom)

The Marlin 1894 Cowboy in 32 H&R Magnum has a good reputation for accuracy.  So far that is proving to be true with my copy as well.

 

Likes:
- Aesthetics
-Accurate
-32 H&R mag in a rifle.
-Handy size

Less Thrilled about.
-No loading gate

Using the loads I like in the 32 H&R Mag Ruger Single Six The 32 H&R Mag Marlin 1894 gets a good bump in velocity.

Lyman 311008 (115 gr) over W231 averages 1101 fps (920)

RCBS 32-98 SWC (100gr) over W231 averages 1161 fps (compared to 854 fps in the Single Six) and over Unique it averages 1360 fps (compared 1050 fps in the Single Six).

Early testing gives the accuracy edge to the W231 loads but even the Unique loads were impressively accurate.

Long Range Shooting with a Ruger Single Six

Last weekend I had the opportunity to jet over to a friend's Ranch and do some shooting.  The little 32 Ruger shot so well at the closer targets (out to 200 yards) we decided to see what it would do on the 400 yard dinger.

At this range with these sight settings (50 yard zero) there was a good bit of holdover required.  I was impressed how well those little bullets did at that distance. 

Next time I'll try it Elmer Keith style.

Buckshot in the 32

0' Buckshot is ~.314" and I've used it in 30 caliber rifles for vermin/plinking/gallery loads.  I was curious how it would work in the 32 H&R Magnum. 

The two powders I tried were W231 and Bullseye. 

Point of Impact was about 1.25" lower than Point of Aim at 7 yards using the RCBS loads Zero.  Accuracy was fair.

Velocity average for the Bullseye load.

I'm not certain there is much value in further experimentation.  Casting my own bullets is very inexpensive so there is little economic incentive.  I'm fairly certain the RCBS 32-98-SWC over W231 loads I reported on in earlier postings would cover anything these loads might do better.  The report was reduced but not significantly so.  Both loads left the cases very sooted.

The 32 Afield

Taking a gun afield is a great way to learn its capabilities.  Last week I had three full days and parts of two others with the new to me 32 H&R Magnum Single Six.  The activities included hiking (both trail and cross country), mountain biking and general woods loafing. I enjoyed carrying and shooting (plinking mostly) the 32 H&R Single Six and it continues to exceed my expectations.

A good holster is important for field carry.  I've found the Ruger Holsters available on their website to be a good value and works well with my attire, the environmental conditions, security/retention and accessibility needs. 

Taking the 32 Single Six along is a real pleasure due to its diminutive size and lightweight.

There was plenty of evidence of the presence of Bears on the property.  The 32 H&R would NOT my first choice for an encounter but the local Bear population shows very little interest in me and generally retreat without any prompting.  Few have been indifferent and gone about their business paying no mind to me.  I'm good with that deal.  I do find some comfort having the 32 along just in case I need to discourage any belligerent behavior, unlikely as that is.

I wasn't hunting so a general purpose firearm was well suited for my planned activities and the perfect excuse to take the 32 Single Six along.  When I arrived at a safe and target rich area I did indulge myself.

On paper at longer ranges the RCBS 32-98-SWC does appear to produce better accuracy than the Lyman 311008 in this gun.  Both were quite adequate for slaying pine cones, busting knots, exploding cow-pies, picking off berries and knocking over various reactive targets.  Targets out to 60 yards (the longest shots) were easily hit.  This little revolver has a voracious appetite and I was glad I brought over 200 rounds feed it with.

The W231 loads (854 fps) are noticeably quieter than the faster (1050 fps) Unique loads.  I would say the report of the slower loads are on par with a 22lr round out of a handgun.  Loud but not ear splitting. 

The penetration of the 32 H&R mag was quite impressive too.  Logs that easily stopped the 22lr and 38 special bullets within 2-4" took as much as 6" to stop the little 32.  The 32 bullets seemed to distort less and some of the recovered bullets looked almost as if they could be reloaded and fired again.

I continue to be impressed by this little gun and I'm eager to test it further.