oldfart1956

Fellers, stumbled unto a Ruger Blackhawk ca. 1970 in .357 for a price I couldn't pass up. It hasn't been modified and has a single mark on the barrel from shuffling about in a gun safe but other than that seems pristine. I didn't buy this to collect. I'm gonna shoot it until it croaks or I do so I'm not concerned with collectability. Anyways, years of sitting around has let a lot of junk accumulate in the action and I'd like to clean it out before shooting. Likely the owner sprayed it down with WD 40 and just shoved it back in the safe. Now, mind ya, I'm not the one to go doing a complete teardown on a revolver. Trust me. I've seen the videos, read the write-ups...this gun is better off if I don't dis-mantle it. I've got all the usual gun cleaning stuff along with spray cleaners (gunblaster/CLP/etc. etc.) but I'm wondering is a 24hr. soak in a light solvent such as K-1 kerosene or something similar might help this along. (Grips removed...of course!!) I just want to be careful not to damage the finish any more. I have some Ed's Red mixed up but used it on a Savage/Stevens 1500 once and it did affect the blueing on it and that's why I'm asking. Going to go see my Dad today so I'll check back on Sun. for any tips and suggestions. Thanks in advance. Audie...the Oldfart. (p.s just to avoid any fears.... I've been shooting&cleaning for 40yrs. so I am not an idiot..)

Buckstone

What about a kerosene soak for a few days?

Spike12

Ya, I'd go with the soak idea. Can't hurt.

Blow it out with compressed air when you're done and see what you got. May take multiple soaks.

All else fails, take it to a 'smith and let him go through it for safety's sake.

(Nice find, it will most likely out last you)

MarsStar

There's no trick to getting an OM apart... Just use the right size screwdrivers so you don't marr the slots!! A lot of the 'junk' is probably old gun grease. Should clean up nicely!

Good luck!

opos

Kano Kroil....Kroil will absolutly free any gunk up and is the king of penetrents. I have restored antique farm engines (the big old hit and miss engines from the turn of the century) for years....when nothing will free up a rusty old engine, a slow soak with Kroil has never failed to free up about anything....I've heard of some folks using Kroil in making Ed's Red in place of Kerosene but I don't know for sure....I think anything liquid that you soak wood in for a long time might be an issue....I have an old model Super and I'd use very proper fitting screw drivers and maybe just dab a little kroil on the screws (it creeps like crazy) and then slowly and carefully lightly tap tap tap to loosen the screws...then with the wood off I'd give it a Kroil bath....bore, inside the action and all....let it really soak, blow it out and lightly lube. I de cosmolined and cleaned a bunch of Makarov's that were really a mess..washed them with lots of really hot water and soap, rinsed and then soaked them in kroil...they came sparkling bright and like new. Treat the "old girl" gently and she'll act like she's ready for the prom.

Gray wolf

I'm with Opos, if Kroil can't clean it or penetrate it, it can't be cleaned!

Clippers

What a great find!

Frank V

Audie

I'm still laughing at your going to shoot it till it croaks....... This is going to take sooooommme doing..... Congratulations on your find. I know you are going to enjoy it, but if you are going to shoot it till it croaks, you'd best get started.
I'll bet we'd all like to hear a range report when you get to it.
Thanks & CONGRATULATIONS.
Frank

oldfart1956

Well Frank this is a puddy out of date post but you asked for a range report so here it is. I've been taking turns wailing away at the backstops with the OM Blackhawk .357 and a NM .45 Colt. I just picked up a 2nd. box of primers (1000) as the first box is getting low. (CCI small pistol for the .357 of course) I've got 7 different molds for .358 boolits (couldn't afford to shoot this much without casting) and I'll be running tests from now till judgement day even at this rate. The 158 wadcutters and semi-wadcutters work tolerable well at 25yds. and I've dropped the groups down from 8/10 inches to 4 inches. The limiting factor is definatly my eyes. The 120gr. rnf's and the 125 rf Berrys suck. I don't think the Ruger can stabalize the short/light bullets. The 125gr. Hornady XTP didn't fare much better. And I couldn't afford to shoot them anyway. Unique seems to be the powder of choice with this gun with Universal Clays running a close second. Trailboss sucked. I learned real quick to keep the speed below 1000 fps with the lead boolits. (12 to 20 bhn.) Using Recluse 45/45/10 or Saeco lube. (recipies available at the Cast Boolits website) Last weekend I went up to northwestern Pa. and purchased 750 pounds of lead ingots to keep up with the guns and got 20 more molds in the deal!! Last night cast up 40 pounds of lead into boolits. (.45 and .358) Working up loads as we speak for Sunday. Hope that answers it Frank. No real "special loads" to relate for now just standard low to mid-range velocity stuff. Audie...the Oldfart...

Frank V

Audie

Keep at it, I can't help but to believe that one load one day will just go bingo I'm it & shoot really small groups.
The mid loads are where the fun is at & a lot of times the accuracy too.
I believe you'll get the right load one day.
Thanks for the report. Good shooting.
Frank