wisecane

Hi all,

I'm new to the forum and SA revolvers in general. I did my research and wanted a dependable revolver in 22 Mag to carry when I'm just out messing around in the woods. I decided a Single-Six Hunter was for me and found a good deal on one "new to me" that came with both cylinders, two sets of Ruger rings and a 2x8 Konus pistol scope and a Millet red-dot sight. During my research, everyone commented on the outstanding accuracy of the Hunter line.

I received the Hunter and love the feel and finish of it. I cleaned it thoroughly and set out to my range to do some shooting. I had two different mag loads and box of bulk 22 lr ammo. I also had a boresnake with me to pass through the cylinders and bore if it fouled up too quickly (I have had experience with a S&W Model 48 that gets "sticky" after the 4th or 5th cylinder worth of shooting). Anyway I set up a target at 25 yards and started shooting.

What I got was more of a pattern than a group. Didn't matter what ammo or cylinder, the best I could do was 6" to 8" "groups". Granted I was shooting out of my truck window with the sill as a brace, so I thought well maybe I'm just not that good with this pistol. I am a good shot with a rifle and with my Glock 17 but I don't claim to be a world champion or anything.

I decided to try and remove myself as a variable as much as possible so I shot approximately 20 to 30 groups over the next 3-4 days to familiarize myself with the feel of the pistol. I boresnaked it after every 3-4 groups or between ammo brand/cylinder changes. Things didn't get any better accuracy wise.

I then set up a shooting bench with sandbag rests at 25 yards and took three different brands of 22 mag ammo and two more brands of 22lr with me. I spent 3 hours or so carefully shooting multiple groups with each. I had mounted the red dot to the gun so that I could be sure that it wasn't my eyes betraying me. All shooting was done from sitting at the bench off of sandbags. This is what I found:

For every six shots with the mag ammo regardless of brand I would have a group approximately 4-6" with shots low and left, high and right, and some in the inner ring. There would be 2 low and left, 2 high and right, and a couple in the "middle".

One of the 22lr brands produced a group that was about 3" outside to outside but strung along horizontally. The other was 4-6" patterns like the mag ammo.

From reading the Hunter threads on this forum it seems to me that I have a lemon. I don't know what recourse I have with Ruger since I didn't buy the gun new. What suggestions would you guys give me? I love the pistol, but if it doesn't get any better than this, I may have to look at something else.

Thanks for reading my long-winded post, all advice and criticisms are welcome.



Sincerely,

wisecane

killaguhrilla

I don't have a hunter, but I do have a .22 LR Single Six. I experienced a huge loss of accuracy and discovered massive lead fowling in the barrel. I think I had a round did not line up perfectly and rather than travel where it was intended, it left about half its mass in the barrel, destroying any chance of accuracy for subsequent rounds. Check for lead spalling around the forcing cone. It could be an indicator that the cylinder is not lining up correctly, probably due to wear and tear on the gun. I'm certain Ruger can repair this, but it would probably cost you a little.

wisecane

The 22 mag cylinder had no drag marks and was still in the bubble wrap. Previous owner claimed it as unfired and also said he only had 200 rounds or so through the 22lr cylinder (very faint drag marks) so I don't think the issue is wear and tear.

The cylinder faces of both cylinders are black after just a few rounds. I was taught to clean my my guns after each shooting, but this thing is a beast to keep clean, lol. Also to get POI somewhat centered to POA (as centered as a 6-8" group can be) I have the rear sight almost all the way up and moved to the extreme right.

weblance

There are many variables, ammo, damage, bad scope, bad shooter...
If all else fails and you decide nothing has worked, Ruger will fix your Hunter. They have the best customer service in the firearms industry. Theyt will fix your Hunter no matter who bought it, or how old it is.

RAYMOND

Welcome from northern Wyoming

North country gal

+1 on killaguhrilla's comments

I have had new, out of the box, Ruger revolvers that didn't line up the cylinders, correctly. It's happened to me. It would take an awful lot of shooting and wear and tear on a Single Six to do this on its own.

Those dang flyers are one of the symptoms. Just when you think you've got a group going, a flyer - and I do mean a flyer, as in a shot out in left field -pops up, even when you know you did everything right in terms of form and follow through. It can drive you nuts. Try marking the cylinders to see if you can isolate the chambers that are causing these flyers.

That heavy leading, even after only a cylinder or two of shooting, around the forcing cone and cylinder gap is another sure sign. Your revolver may also be spitting lead, slitting cases and so on.

Usually, it's a matter of the timing being off, but, now and then, you get a cylinder that was bored, incorrectly. Either way, I would visit with Ruger on this. Worst that can happen is that charge you a bit to take a look. Sure beats second guessing yourself and the gun.

wisecane

Thanks all for the advice. I am going to call Ruger tomorrow and see what they say.

weldernewt53

I have a Single Six Hunter that is very accurate. It will shoot 2" groups at 25 yrds with a sand bag rest. When I mount my 2 X Burris it will shoot dime size groups. My mag cylinder is a different story. Not quite as accurate with any type of 22 mag. ammo. Overall this gun will shoot better than I can any day of the week. Call Ruger . These are pretty nice revolvers. They can fix it.

North country gal

Also, by leading, I mean as in being able to scrape off flakes of lead around the back end of the barrel, either using a bore brush or even the tip of a knife. It will be obvious and not easily confused with powder residue, which is completely normal. Check for leading.

TMan51

Well, sadly, lemon does come to mind.

I'd have somebody check it with a bore scope to start. It could also be a divot in the forcing cone or something.

I have a pair of working class Single Sixes with 6.5" barrels. Both will shoot <2" at 25yds even mixing ammo brands in the cylinder. Both shoot .22 Magnum stuff as well as .22LR. The new one is 30 years old. Iu used it on trips out west to shoot prairie dogs when I had an antelope hanging.

Based on the number of SS lemons, a real lemon is so unusual that it might get some consideration. Call Ruger and explain the situation.

fungun

Very interested in this situation since I'm currently shopping for a single six hunter

wisecane

Update-

Called Ruger and described my problems. The very nice lady I spoke to gave me shipping instructions and a RA number in less than 5 minutes. Gun is on its way to Ruger as we speak. I will update again once I hear from them and get it back.

Thanks again for all of the advice/opinions.

TMan51

I have yet to send anything back to Ruger, but the consensus is that it will come back in top shape, and fairly quickly.

staff3704

I guess lemons can happen but I have never had to send anything back to Ruger and I've had 10/22s, MK IIs, MKIIIs, Mini 14/30s, SP101, and SR22P. Weldernewt53 you may want to look at that 22 mag cylinder. The barrel was made for 22 Mag (.224) not 22 LR (.223) although both should shoot well. In theory the 22 Mag should shoot better on single sixes that have both cylinders.

TMan51

That could well be true, but I cannot find that difference with an un-scoped SS.

What I CAN say for sure, is longer shots with the .22M, are a lot easier than they are with a .22LR. The difference in drop past 50yds or so ramps up quickly, and gophers and groundhogs are at hazard even at 100yds from a sitting position, or rested over a log or berm.