I just did up some cast loads for a friend today, With the winchester factory loads this gun is shooting 1 foot groups at 25 yards, my cast loads are shooting 3 inch groups at the same distance, My question is, is 3 inches as good as they will get ?....I am a rifle shooter, very rarely shoot pistols, so I just dont know..the gun is a ruger 44 remington magnum, single action.. I come about these results, shooting the gun resting on a sandbag. After seeing Bob Munden hitting a gong a 200 yards with a snubnose pistol, I really wonder how accurate a good pistol can be up close.

I just did up some cast loads for a friend today, With the winchester factory loads this gun is shooting 1 foot groups at 25 yards, my cast loads are shooting 3 inch groups at the same distance, My question is, is 3 inches as good as they will get ?....I am a rifle shooter, very rarely shoot pistols, so I just dont know..the gun is a ruger 44 remington magnum, single action.. I come about these results, shooting the gun resting on a sandbag. After seeing Bob Munden hitting a gong a 200 yards with a snubnose pistol, I really wonder how accurate a good pistol can be up close.

It can get better.

Even if the load stayed the same, more practice by itself would improve the groups to some extent. Just as in rifle shooting, have to master the biologic side of shooting first, then tune to loads....think you'll find that 3" at 50yards won't be too unusual.

You are so right about shooting it more, getting used to it, that thing about broke my wrist with the factory loads, i am sure the recoil is moving the bullets, I had no idea they kicked like mules like that.

You are so right about shooting it more, getting used to it, that thing about broke my wrist with the factory loads, i am sure the recoil is moving the bullets, I had no idea they kicked like mules like that.

Is one theory of shooting: jump in the deep end and learn to swim.... or drown.

As a rifle shooter, you probably started with .22's, and progressed upward in calibers...getting comfortable along the way,moving in steps...short range targets, to long range targets, and them (hopefully) moving away from the bench for some position shooting.

ON the other hand, jumping into handguns with a full charged .44mag. is a sink of swim situation...will have to work pretty hard and take the improvemnt-gratification reward in smaller bits...but in the end, if you've the will, it just may be faster.

1 foot groups at 25yds is likely due to flinching.

With a Ruger single action .44 (Super Blackhawk) a 1" group at 25yds is very attainable. I have found that with my Super Blackhawk, consistency of hold is critical. I try to keep my grip and squeeze and finger position consistent between all shots.

One very worthwhile item to get for that gun would be a Wolff spring kit. It greatly improved my ability to shoot my .44 well.

I certainly do better than 3" at 25yards with my SA Ruger. If I do my part, I can get sub 1" with either .44Mag or Spc - but the Spc is easier for me to do my part. Start practicing with those (I like CCI Blazer for this) Spc rounds and the flinch should be helped a lot! Then see what groups you get, and slowly move up to full Mag loads. Start with the softer mag loads and move up in power until you can shoot your hunting (or whatever) load well.

[Thanks for the help guys, I think the trigger was worked on, it has hair trigger for sure, the action is extremely smooth and easy. I just am not used to shooting a pistol. I'll stick with the current load and see how good we can get those shooting before I change anything.

How about the grip? All Ruger's have a grip to small for me, so I buy a impact absorbing grip in the large size. As far as springs go for a SA I can't imagine the need. If it lets off crisp like touching a icicle to break-off thats it. I have springs replaced in my Redhawk for the double action part.
Jim

Its not my gun, so I will let my pal handle all that, I was just trying to work up a decent cast bullet and load for her. I think with both of us being not so expierenced with pistols, that 3 inch group is fine for a while.