First post after first time at range with Model P

[bdhuntr]

First of all, hi!

I have long been a rifle shooter and handloader, especially for hunting cartridges. I own several handguns, but with the exception of a Navy Arms 1862 Confederate Navy .44 cal cap-and-ball revolver, I've never owned any handgun, autoloader or revolver, "just to shoot." But as I have always loved the looks and the history of the Colt SAA, I decided to purchase a SAA clone, and after doing some research, I decided to get a Cimarron Arms Model P chambered in (what else?) .45 Colt.

I opted for the 4-3/4" bbl. My first choice was the 5-1/2" bbl, but after thinking about it, I decided that the shorter 4-3/4" bbl was probably better for me. I've had it for a while, but with hunting seasons underway, I didn't have the time to take it out and see what she would do until yesterday.

I think it did pretty well for my first time. I brought two different loads: Magtech 200 grain cowboy action loads, and Black Hills 250 grain cartidges. The 250 grainers shot to point-of-aim at 7 and 15 yards, while the 200 grain bullets struck about 3" low. This group was shot at 7 yards with both cartridges (in high winds, which may be why they hit to the right).

I just ordered some Hornady Frontier 255 grain LFN and Buffalo Bore 255 grain Keith SWC cartridges to try. Once I get enough cases, I'll start handloading for it. I also have a box of 235 grain Goex Black Dawg's to run through it!

If any of you have any suggestions or ideas, please let me know.

 

[dopar66]

Congratulations

My first wheelgun was also a cap and ball Confederate clone. Fond memories.

I'm not that savvy on forum finesse, so I can't link to it, but there is a recent post which diagrams a target and what the different directions of "miss" mean. Best I recall, missing to the right would typically mean a heavy trigger pull.

The only advice I would have is pull the trigger. As soon as you can, get to reloading so you can pull the trigger more frequently. A little bit of warning though, the reloading bug is every bit as contagious as the revolver bug.

(Edit: you also mentioned shooting low. Can't recall the cause, but if it's a consistent point-of-aim vs. point-of-impact, fixed sights can be modified.)

 

[bdhuntr]

I'm about 100% sure it shoots the 200 grain loads low is simply due to the sights being regulated for a 250 grain bullet. Lighter bullets tend to hit lower as they are faster and the time in the bore is decreased (so less barrel jump). Shooting to the right might be more my trigger pull than the actual trigger itself. I just have to practice!

I've always been a handloader (my italics), not a reloader. But that's simple for 20-40 .30-06, 7mm Rem Mag or .338 Win Mag cases. It's going to be a jump for me to churn out 100-200 .45 Colt cartridges at one time. But it is definitely less $$$!