.44 Magnum Ranch Hand at the Range
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- Advanced Levergunner
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.44 Magnum Ranch Hand at the Range
Got the new rig to the range for some initial familiarization. I had three loads, a plinker with 200-grain flat nose case bullet over a case full of Trail Boss, a 240-grain XTP over 25 grains of Power Pro 300 MP, and 10 rounds of 300-grain XTPs over a near-maximum charge of 296.
I took Denis' warning about the recoil characteristics of the Ranch Hand to heart and started with the plinker load. With a two hand hold off a rest, the gun was a bit uncomfortable at it does not have a handgun grip, and the lever wants to rap the fingers a bit as the gun moves backward.
So I got smarter and put on my Uncle Mikes padded shooting gloves. Issue solved.
Next issue: the gun shoots high -- I mean REALLY high. My target was stapled to an IPSC-style cardboard silhouette just above center of mass. I was finally able to get on paper by holding about two feet low, at the bottom edge of the cardboard. Hmmm.
Next up were the full-house bear loads. Because of the increase in velocity over the plinkers, I expected these to impact lower and I was right. By stapling a second target below the first and using a six o-clock hold I was just an inch or two high on the top target with promising grouping. I lost concentration and held on the top target for the last shot, and therefore have only a 4-shot group to show for the bear loads, not a five.
The bench technique I used with the 300s was to cradle the Ranch Hand in a Caldwell Rock front rest with the lever nested in a bag of oats for rear support. I fired the gun with the right hand in the usual position, but I wrapped my left hand thumb-down around the butt. This position worked perfectly. The gun rose off the bag a few inches in recoil, but at 64 ounces, it soaked up a lot of the punch through mass alone.
I used the same technique with the 240-grain XTPs, made the same mistake aiming once at the wrong target and had another four-shot group. Recoil was noticeably milder than with the 300s.
In conclusion, this was only a brief trial, but in the days ahead, I look forward to exploring the possibilities of this interesting firearm, tweaking the sights (I'll probably add one of Nate Kiowa Jones's apertures) and working up loads.
Like many of you, when I first read about it I was skeptical that the Ranch Hand would have any practical use whatsoever, other than the very real fun factor. This outing has convinced me that with evolving technique, practice, additional experience under field conditions and fitted with proper sights, this tool is going to be put to effective use in the deer, bear and elk woods.
- J Miller
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Re: .44 Magnum Ranch Hand at the Range
OK, since we know that ...... um ... weapon is capable of accurate grouping, would it be possible, or legal, to create a pistol grip on it like the original Volcanic pistol had?
That Ranchhand is already an awkward thing so I can't see how a pistol grip on it would hurt it any.
Just a couple of thoughts.
Joe
That Ranchhand is already an awkward thing so I can't see how a pistol grip on it would hurt it any.
Just a couple of thoughts.
Joe
***Be sneaky, get closer, bust the cap on him when you can put the ball where it counts .***
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- Advanced Levergunner
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Re: .44 Magnum Ranch Hand at the Range
Joe: I'm sure it would be totally lawful, as it is by United States Code definition already a handgun. It would require bending and reshaping the tangs, as well as reshaping the lever, though. Definitely not cheap!
- J Miller
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Re: .44 Magnum Ranch Hand at the Range
Ah what's the cost matter? It's only money ......
Joe
Joe
***Be sneaky, get closer, bust the cap on him when you can put the ball where it counts .***
- AJMD429
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Re: .44 Magnum Ranch Hand at the Range
Kind of ironic that of all the leverguns that we have with 'straight' grips and 'pistol' grips, the one they come up with that actually is a 'pistol', doesn't have pistol grips...!Bill in Oregon wrote:Joe: I'm sure it would be totally lawful, as it is by United States Code definition already a handgun. It would require bending and reshaping the tangs, as well as reshaping the lever, though. Definitely not cheap!
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"first do no harm" - gun control LAWS lead to far more deaths than 'easy access' ever could.
Want REAL change? . . . . . "Boortz/Nugent in 2012 . . . ! "
- O.S.O.K.
- Advanced Levergunner
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Re: .44 Magnum Ranch Hand at the Range
I would only want one of these if I were going to SBR it... and install a standard buttstock. As a "pistol" I see it as being strictly a toy. Not dissing them - just that they aren't really a practical piece in terms of use beyond playing around - in as-issed configuration IMHO.
I would switch the lever too.
As an SBR, it would become a very handy defensive piece. It would also be a packable survival gun or excellent bear defense carbine.
I would switch the lever too.
As an SBR, it would become a very handy defensive piece. It would also be a packable survival gun or excellent bear defense carbine.
NRA Endowment Life
Phi Kappa Sigma, Alpha Phi 83 "Skulls"
OCS, 120th MP Battalion, MSSG
MOLON LABE!
Phi Kappa Sigma, Alpha Phi 83 "Skulls"
OCS, 120th MP Battalion, MSSG
MOLON LABE!
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- Advanced Levergunner
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Re: .44 Magnum Ranch Hand at the Range
OSOK:
"As a "pistol" I see it as being strictly a toy. Not dissing them - just that they aren't really a practical piece in terms of use beyond playing around - in as-issed configuration IMHO."
That was my initial impression. The gun in actual use is proving far more interesting, and I've owned a bunch of Contenders and Encores.
Next range session, I'll have a chronograph with me too.
"As a "pistol" I see it as being strictly a toy. Not dissing them - just that they aren't really a practical piece in terms of use beyond playing around - in as-issed configuration IMHO."
That was my initial impression. The gun in actual use is proving far more interesting, and I've owned a bunch of Contenders and Encores.
Next range session, I'll have a chronograph with me too.
Re: .44 Magnum Ranch Hand at the Range
As you noticed, the light ones shoot lower.....a 200gr plinker load would be perfect, and still be a round to be reckoned with as a defense load.
The Rotten Fruit Always Hits The Ground First
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Proud Life Member Of:
NRA
Second Amendment Foundation
Citizens Committee For The Right To Keep And Bear Arms
DAV
- O.S.O.K.
- Advanced Levergunner
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- Joined: Sun Apr 27, 2008 4:15 pm
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Re: .44 Magnum Ranch Hand at the Range
Well, it may be easier to aim and shoot accurately in an agitated state than a revolver.... which would make it a better bear defense piece. But I think I'd still prefer being able to shoulder it.Bill in Oregon wrote:OSOK:
"As a "pistol" I see it as being strictly a toy. Not dissing them - just that they aren't really a practical piece in terms of use beyond playing around - in as-issed configuration IMHO."
That was my initial impression. The gun in actual use is proving far more interesting, and I've owned a bunch of Contenders and Encores.
Next range session, I'll have a chronograph with me too.
NRA Endowment Life
Phi Kappa Sigma, Alpha Phi 83 "Skulls"
OCS, 120th MP Battalion, MSSG
MOLON LABE!
Phi Kappa Sigma, Alpha Phi 83 "Skulls"
OCS, 120th MP Battalion, MSSG
MOLON LABE!
Re: .44 Magnum Ranch Hand at the Range
Glad you're having fun with it.
For bear I'll keep my Redhawks. Quicker to fire accurately, handle recoil much more efficiently, quicker to reload, can be fired rapidly multiple times one-handed if necessary.
If there's an angry bear moving in my direction, I sure don't want to be dealing with working that lever, regaining a firing grip, and regaining a sight picture for each shot after the first one.
Any type of hunting where I want to actually hit something, I won't handicap myself with that platform.
I'm not a "I like it, so I'll MAKE it work whether or not it really does work" kinda guy.
I usually go for the most efficient, not the least.
But, that's just me.
My Rossi in .45 Colt was pretty much on, sight-wise.
I did not like the brass bead, found it hard to get a precise sight picture in the rear notch.
Denis
For bear I'll keep my Redhawks. Quicker to fire accurately, handle recoil much more efficiently, quicker to reload, can be fired rapidly multiple times one-handed if necessary.
If there's an angry bear moving in my direction, I sure don't want to be dealing with working that lever, regaining a firing grip, and regaining a sight picture for each shot after the first one.
Any type of hunting where I want to actually hit something, I won't handicap myself with that platform.
I'm not a "I like it, so I'll MAKE it work whether or not it really does work" kinda guy.
I usually go for the most efficient, not the least.
But, that's just me.
My Rossi in .45 Colt was pretty much on, sight-wise.
I did not like the brass bead, found it hard to get a precise sight picture in the rear notch.
Denis
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- Advanced Levergunner
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Re: .44 Magnum Ranch Hand at the Range
Denis: With my 58-year-old eyes that brass bead is a tough one, I'll agree. I think the smaller ivory or one of the fiber optics would be a better bet.
Re: .44 Magnum Ranch Hand at the Range
My thoughts exactly, I just made a deal on the 357 version of this. Plan to do an action job and replace the safety with one of Steve's sights. Down the road I'm going to look into adding a real buttstock, maybe a set of walnut stocks.O.S.O.K. wrote:I would only want one of these if I were going to SBR it... and install a standard buttstock. As a "pistol" I see it as being strictly a toy. Not dissing them - just that they aren't really a practical piece in terms of use beyond playing around - in as-issed configuration IMHO.
I would switch the lever too.
As an SBR, it would become a very handy defensive piece. It would also be a packable survival gun or excellent bear defense carbine.
- Buck Elliott
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Re: .44 Magnum Ranch Hand at the Range
If barrel length is less than 16", installation of a "reguler" butt-stock creates a short-barreled Rifle, which is illegal...
Regards
Buck
Life has a way of making the foreseeable that which never happens, and the unforeseeable, that which your life becomes...
Buck
Life has a way of making the foreseeable that which never happens, and the unforeseeable, that which your life becomes...
Re: .44 Magnum Ranch Hand at the Range
Not illegal, just requires more paperwork and payment of a "shall not infringe" tax.Buck Elliott wrote:If barrel length is less than 16", installation of a "reguler" butt-stock creates a short-barreled Rifle, which is illegal...
- Buck Elliott
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Re: .44 Magnum Ranch Hand at the Range
Just be sure you do the paperwork and pay the tax Before you make the conversion. The conversion, prior to or without the paperwork and tax IS illegal...
Regards
Buck
Life has a way of making the foreseeable that which never happens, and the unforeseeable, that which your life becomes...
Buck
Life has a way of making the foreseeable that which never happens, and the unforeseeable, that which your life becomes...