R92 44Mag - Range Report

[KinleyWater]

Thought I would just drop a quick report on a new R92 I picked up the other day (sorry, no pics). So, I have the Rossi R92 16 inch stainless in 44 Mag. I shot about 40 rounds through it today, all commercial stuff, just to see how it was and if it would shoot. All shooting except one group was done from standing offhand.

WWB 240 SJHP, 25 yards - grouped ~3 inches/ 5 shots (repeated for a total of 10)
LAX Ammo 240 plated, 25 yards - grouped ~5 inches/ 5 shots (repeated for a total of 10)
Fiocci 240 SJFP, 25 yards - grouped ~2-3 inched/ 5 shots (repeated for a total of 10)
Fiocci 240 SJFP, 50 yards - grouped ~7 inches/ 5 shots
Fiocci 240 SJFP, 50 yards *seated* - grouped ~5 inches 5/ shots

So, nothing spectacular, and nothing abysmal (except the LAX, perhaps). I think if I were to slow down a bit, put more rounds through it, and just get a bit more comfortable, I could close most of those groups down. Shooting this rifle is a bit like shooting an AK platform by how the sights are set up - in both cases forward of the receiver, modest sight radius, bead and buckhorn (as opposed to blade and notch). Recoil was fine; very mild with the LAX and surprisingly brisk with the WWB.

The rifle seems well made, with nice redwood (or redwood colored) furniture, and good polished stainless everything else. I had some feeding and ejecting issues, which I expect will clear up once the rifle gets a bit of a workout and I get a bit more used to it (I know some where shooter induced).

Overall, I think I really like it. For me walking though close woods, sitting in a blind, or in a stand, I think this will be a dandy rifle. My original plan to work up powerhouse loads for it has gone by the wayside, and I think I will focus on just building a good, middle of the road load for rifle and pistol. No need to prove anything here, I think it has plenty to get the job done as is.

 

[JD338]

Sounds like you have a fun little thumper. A 44 Mag with a 240 gr JHP from a carbine length barrel is quite decisive on WT deer.

JD338

 

[salmonchaser]

I think the pistol caliber, 73s; 92s and the like are some of the most fun rifles to shoot. Thanks for your report and I’m glad you got out.

 

[KinleyWater]

Thanks! I'm hoping to use it this fall, and if I do, and I'm successful, I'll post another report.

 

[KinleyWater]

Okay, I've found an issue with this particular rifle; It does not want to cycle certain ammunition. I'm sure that doesn't come as a surprise to anyone, but perhaps someone could give some insights I'm missing. With factory Federal AE 240 SJHP, it simply does not want to load the round from the elevator into the chamber. Looks like it is too long, perhaps? Not sire, but if I force it - which only sometimes works - when I eject the round, I see a fairly pronounced, though not deep, scratch down the length of the case. I'm also seeing deformation to the exposed lead at the tip. I tried Sig 240 V-Crown, and it cycles just fine. I tried some mixed weight and mixed brass XTP hand loads, and had mixed issues.

Anyone have any thoughts? I'm already planning on attacking it with a dremel to take down some sharp burs and edges on the loading gate and a couple of other places.

 

[JD338]

I think your approach to the burs is correct.
Hopefully that will correct the feeding issue.

JD338

 

[Alebjohn]

Do you plan to experiment with other ammunition to improve the accuracy of the Rossi R92?

 

[bdbrown66]

Can't help you with the Rossi, but my friend has a Henry 44 mag and he kills deer regularly with it. Three this fall, IIRC. He's using 300gr XTP hand loads.

 

[TexasLife]

I have a r82 also in same cartridge for nearly 10 years. Very fun too shoot! No chrono info on what I shoot, but hopefully the Speer 210's gdhp's will be my go-to's. 20" barrel that should get ne between 1,800 and 2k of muzzle energy.

 

[salmonchaser]

I have had issue with some of the ammunition I’ve loaded over the years being too long, hangs up just enough coming from the tube onto the elevator ramp. The only loading gate damage I’ve seen is to my thumb.

 

[KinleyWater]

I do intend to try other ammo with it, but in my fantasy world, I'd like to have a load that I can carry in both my 44 mag revolver and my rifle. So, I do one hand load up, and carry it in both the rifle and the revolver at the same time. That way, I don't worry about what spare ammo goes with what while I'm in the field. I've got some Nosler 240 Sporting Handgun SJHP, which I think I would like to try next.

I have a Remlin 44 that feeds basically everything, though the barrel is such that it only shoots Hornady bullets with any degree of accuracy. The Remlin has a completely different mechanism for the elevator than the Rossi, and I wonder if it has something to do with the geometry of the elevator that causes the loads to get hung up. I might grind it a bit to see if I can get things to feed more smoothly - suppose I should buy a replacement elevator before I do, though.

 

[JD338]

The Nosler 240 gr JHP is an excellent bullet for deer hunting. I've used it with excellent results in my Marlin 1894 and S&W 629 Classic, both in 44 Rem Mag and a couple of different 50 cal muzzleloaders.
My go to load for the 44 Mags is the 240 gr JHP with 23.5 grs H110.

JD338

 

[bkordon]

I do intend to try other ammo with it, but in my fantasy world, I'd like to have a load that I can carry in both my 44 mag revolver and my rifle. So, I do one hand load up, and carry it in both the rifle and the revolver at the same time. That way, I don't worry about what spare ammo goes with what while I'm in the field. I've got some Nosler 240 Sporting Handgun SJHP, which I think I would like to try next.

I have a Remlin 44 that feeds basically everything, though the barrel is such that it only shoots Hornady bullets with any degree of accuracy. The Remlin has a completely different mechanism for the elevator than the Rossi, and I wonder if it has something to do with the geometry of the elevator that causes the loads to get hung up. I might grind it a bit to see if I can get things to feed more smoothly - suppose I should buy a replacement elevator before I do, though.

I have this setup with a Henry 44 Mag and a Ruger Alaskan 44. Due to the short barrel of the handgun, I tend to go more with mid weight bullets. I have shot 300gr out of it prior to a trip to the Kenai Peninsula and yes, bear defense only, and better make the first one count. SO much muzzle flip.
I have shot some of the Nosler 240 SJHP out of both and works nicely. I believe I loaded H110 (not sure of the dose). It is a moderately stiff load, but manageable from the pistol and pleasant from the rifle.

 

[FOTIS]

At 25 yd that should put them under an inch

 

[KinleyWater]

Thank you all for the inputs, just another reason to love this forum.