Can't shoot my 83...

[targetshootr]

...worth a darn. Probably the only person alive who can't, but I can't. It's a 7 1/2" 454.

It's been for sale and it looks like it has a taker so I took it to the range again today to empty some reloads and make darn sure I can part with it. And I flat can't hit diddly with it and I know it's not the gun. For whatever reason, I shoot all my others better especially my 44 spl flat top 7 1/2". Don't know if it's the weight or the trigger but I can't get on paper or stay on paper if I do. I start at 25 yds with any gun to see how it shoots (always standing) then out to the 50 yd targets. Once I get a bead it's not hard to stay on 8x11 paper at that range. Cept thisn'.

So off it's going in hopes the next guy can make use of it. It's too much gun for my needs anyhow. I'll stick with Rugers and maybe try a 44 spl 97 someday.

[Redhawk1]

Have you thought about a scope or red-dot for it? I have a scope on mine and it shoots like a dream.  Just an idea.  

[Dusty Miller]

Does anybody else shoot it well?

[palgeno]

DON'T sell it!!!!  As Dusty suggested, see if someone else can shoot it. If something is wrong with the gun, send it to FA and let them fix it. If it is you---more likely---learn to hold it and not flinch--(easier said than done.)That 7.5 inch model 83 is the best thing going as far as I am concerned. Even with the express sights, nearly anyone who has shot mine can put three shots in a pretty good group on an 8 inch paper plate at 50 yards. With a scope and a good rest for your WRISTS---(not the but of the gun) it will do one inch three shot groups at 100yds with Hornady 300 gr XTP hand loads. And wear a shooting glove so you don't have to grip the snot out of the thing. Once you get dialed in, you will love it. It is the only gun you will ever need--(maybe not want)--to hunt with except for a model 97 in 22lr for those rimfire requirements!!! :grin:  :-D   pg

[targetshootr]

I took it  out again Sunday and did better but laid it down after I finished the reloads and shot other guns the rest of the day. It's a great gun, the best ever, but someone who hunts should have it. Last night I was reading Sixguns and what Keith was able to do long range shooting was the clincher. He regularly shot birds and groundhogs at 150 yards with handguns made in the 1920s-60s. They were tweaked but still they were old Smiths and Colts.
Anyhow, I'll pick up the money this week and ship everything off, scope included. Darn near put a deposit on a 44 spl 97 today but decided to hold off till the tax man cometh. And too I'm a little leary it might feel small. hehe.

[alchemist]

I have a number of  FA's.  Like you I'm mostly a target shooter, and a little hunting.  I bought them because of the quality and what I heard about the accuracy.  I'm well into middle age and to my dismay I found the FA's didn't shoot any better for me with open sights than my ruger single and double actions.  You have to realize that Elmer Keith shot hundreds of rounds at least every week if not every day.  If you did the same and I did the same, we would improve.  Peopel just don't do much of that anymore.  The brass dot front sights with the "v" notch rear sights really help the accuracy and of course a red dot or a scope really shows the accuracy potential of them.   I can understand your wanting to sell it to fiannce something else because you failed to get out of it what you expected and became disappointed considering the expense.  However the advice to hold onto it and play with it some more, including puting a scope or a red dot on it was good advice.   Also I added a 45 colt cylinder to my 454 which makes it far more enjoyable to just plink with.  Hope you are not like me and regret selling it soem months later thinking... "if only I hade tried..."

[targetshootr]

Yea I will probably miss it but when I got into Rugers and sold my Pythons I really didn't miss them even though they shot and looked great. And I do need to finance a couple of other things, mostly conversions which shoot great once they're tweaked. Last year I did have a 45 colt cylinder fitted and it comes with lots of extras so I figured I better take up the offer at the listed price. And too, at 51 I'll only be able to shoot another five or ten years unless they figure out how to do eyeball transplants.

[oso45-70]

Yea I will probably miss it but when I got into Rugers and sold my Pythons I really didn't miss them even though they shot and looked great. And I do need to finance a couple of other things, mostly conversions which shoot great once they're tweaked. Last year I did have a 45 colt cylinder fitted and it comes with lots of extras so I figured I better take up the offer at the listed price. And too, at 51 I'll only be able to shoot another five or ten years unless they figure out how to do eyeball transplants.

Targetshooter, I'll be72 years old come Feb 8th and shoot all the time, I do spend more time at the eye doctors office than i would like but he keeps me going. My left eye is blind due to Macular degeneration but the right eye is holding up pretty good. I do a lot of handgun shooting mostly SA FAs and do have a bunch of Rugers. I hate to see you give up and quit your handgun shooting. Hang in there................Joe.................

[SteelEye]

I have a model 83 in 44 mag and have the same problem.  I read a few posts back where this is a common problem that is often corrected with good quality gas checked lead bullets or a good quality jacketed bullet.

I can shoot great groups at 15 yards and so-so groups at 25 but at 50 yards I don't hit the paper.  I'm using Laser Cast bullets on Starline cases with a variety of powders.  Since I rarely shoot my other guns past 25 yards I never noticed the problem.  Also, my other guns shoot well at 25 yards.

I have been looking for some good quality gas checked bullets in the 200-255 range but haven't found any yet.  Most seem to be in the 300+ range.

Good luck,
SteelEye

[targetshootr]

I may get to try some gas checked since the deal hit a snag. But I discovered another gun. I have a 44 flat top with a 44-40 cylinder and I am floored by how accurate it is. I mostly shoot the other 44s and 45s but got away from 44-40 for some reason. Guess it didn't have enough pop. But when all the holes stay togethernothing else really matters. The low recoil probably plays a part in the groups and the reverse with the FA.