Rossi 92 16” 44 Magnum: First Impressions

by rob , Saturday, October 28, 2017, 17:19 (2585 days ago)
edited by rob, Saturday, October 28, 2017, 17:31

Got a chance to get out to the range with the Rossi today. At 25 yards I tried a few loads I like:Skeeter load with 240 Oregon Trail SWC, the same bullet over 9 grains Unique, 240 XTP over 18.5 grains 2400 and the 300 XTP over 19 296 seated in top crimp groove. All rounds fed flawlessly and shot well at 25 yards. It shot about an inch left and I got it centered after much trial and error. The only feeding issue is me and not the gun. I have been a professional auto mechanic for over 32 years and little things most people can do sometimes hurt this old man. The tendons for my middle and ring finger really feel it when I manipulate the lever forcefully enough to eject the spent round and raise the cartridge lifter to feed the next one in line. I’m sure it will loosen up a bit with use and I will adapt by maybe getting a bit more pinky finger into the action. At 100 yards I shot this target:

IF the image uploaded right side up, there will be a three shot group in the lower right. I fired the two bottom right, raised the ladder one notch, fired the two top rounds, followed by the two middle, followed by the one just left of the first two. I have a feeling that it took two shots to move the sight ladder forward under recoil and it dropped just a bit. Then after firing the two in the middle it was back where it started putting the last round right beside the first two. The reason I say this is when I got it home and wiped it down to put it away, the sight ladder was back on the bottom rung where it started, and the only rung to have a heel to catch it and prevent forward movement. The load above is 18.5 2400/240 XTP and one way or another, regardless of what happened with the sight ladder, I’m extatic with that group considering the condition of my eyes, my outdated glasses prescription (really need to deal with that!!!) and the fact that the front bead literally covers that entire 12” shoot-n-c target! I was doing my best to put a semblance of orange on top of my bead. So at this point I’m gonna investigate sight options. I believe XS makes a set for this gun but it has to be drilled and tapped. Skinner has a set that utilize the dovetails sorta blending traditional sights with a peep. I’m not sure how that would play out with a stigmasim but Skinner swears they work even that far away from the eyes. I’m certainly open to suggestions on sights but the rifle is definitely a keeper. I don’t live but a few miles from XS Sights in Ft. Worth. Maybe I can drop the rifle off and let them d&t and install some sights for me.