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NEW Rossi single-shot 44mag!

Posted: 05 Jun 2022 01:07
by a.squibload
load gate bites.jpg
How's that for clickbait?
My first post here, hope the pic shows up.
My new 92 16" cycles 44spl 185gn cast HPs just fine (haven't even shot it yet),
but I can't even load one of my 250 gn cast SWCs into the magazine.
Can dump it into the breech, effectively making my new lever gun a single-shot.

I've learned a lot reading this site the past couple of days, pretty sure there's a fix for this.
Didn't want to recreate the original failure to load for a picture as I almost didn't get the round out of the gate!
Nearly got my finger stuck in it loading 44 specials.
Did read about lightening the gate spring, will try that. Hope I can round off the corner of the load port, it's
real sharp. All the edges of that hole seem real sharp.
Also will remove the mag tube and check for burrs, etc.
Seems like SWCs may be no good for leverguns, well I have a few other moulds I can try.

Anyway you can see my style, yak yak yak, I'll try not to over-post!

EDIT: Crap, pic too big & I forgot how to shrink 'em. I'll figure it out...

Re: NEW Rossi single-shot 44mag!

Posted: 05 Jun 2022 05:37
by GasGuzzler
Do the normal mods then try a RNFP.

Re: NEW Rossi single-shot 44mag!

Posted: 05 Jun 2022 07:28
by sandog
Someone once said, in order to have your multi caliber carbine feed well, is to shoot shorter 44 mags and longer .44 Specials.
The same applies to the .38 Special/.357 magnum.
I'd play around with overall length, and seat the magnum loads deeper if you can.

Bullet shape will be a factor too. Semi wadcutter bad, RNFP good.
The best feeding I have seen with my Marlin .44 Mag is with WFN bullets.

Just ordered 1,000 of some coated 180 grain WFN for the Rossi .357.

Re: NEW Rossi single-shot 44mag!

Posted: 05 Jun 2022 07:56
by HarryAlonzo
Welcome aboard! My 44 loads and feeds SWC Spl and Mag all day long, but I did all of the Steve’s Gunz mods up front. Since you’re not able to load, you don’t know if you have a feeding problem. First things first. You’re on the right track with lightening the loading gate spring and smoothing the sharp edges. Go slow and easy.

Oh, and lightening the magazine spring, too.

Re: NEW Rossi single-shot 44mag!

Posted: 05 Jun 2022 13:57
by a.squibload
Thanks guys. I was afraid of that. I do have a 225gn mould that's kind of a RNFP.
Hey, maybe an excuse to buy another mould!
I kinda knew this gun would be a project but that loading port seems so SHORT.

Re: NEW Rossi single-shot 44mag!

Posted: 05 Jun 2022 14:49
by Archer
Shouldn't be a problem with the length of the loading port but you do need to try and keep the cartridge pointed forward as you load them.

Cleaning up the edges of the loading port isn't a bad idea.

Re: NEW Rossi single-shot 44mag!

Posted: 05 Jun 2022 17:18
by Sarge
The rifle obviously doesn't like red bullets.

Welcome aboard.

Re: NEW Rossi single-shot 44mag!

Posted: 05 Jun 2022 18:08
by HarryAlonzo
That’s it! Try another color.

Re: NEW Rossi single-shot 44mag!

Posted: 08 Jun 2022 10:07
by sandog
I had a moment of enlightenment this morning while at the range. The plated RNFP that I loaded 300 of for the S&W M66, don't feed that smooth from the Rossi.
I had 6 lead SWC that were loaded in magnum cases, tried those in the R92 and they fed 10x better than the RNFP.

The bullets I have coming are 180 gr. MBC coated "Pugnose", we'll see how they do.

Re: NEW Rossi single-shot 44mag!

Posted: 10 Jun 2022 01:50
by a.squibload
I lightened the gate spring, put it away & went to bed. Next day started working on a mag spring follower
(for 44, will post pics in DIY gunsmithing), forgot to try loading any rounds through the gate! Will try later.