Got me a Rossi 461

[FergusonTO35]

Went over to Centerfire yesterday and they had a like new Rossi 461 .357 with box and papers for only $230.00. I've been wanting a compact six shot .38 or .357 for quite awhile now (Ruger why won't you make one??!!) so it came home with me. This revolver has a 3" tube and is about the size of an SP-101 or Detective Special.

I put a few rounds of 3.2 grains 700X/158 grain LSWC through it when I got home and I could shoot it just as well as my S&W 637 from the get go. The trigger pull is really good. Unfortunately the oddly shaped factory grips are going to have to go, they are made for someone with much smaller hands and give the revolver a muzzle heavy feel. Already ordered some Pachmayrs for it. Anybody know of a good paddle holster for this gun?

[rintinglen]

You may have issues finding a holster that actually fits.
The Rossi 6 shot frame is about like a k-frame, but with an underlug barrel. S&W didn't make very many like that and even fewer 3 inchers. You may find a holster for an SP-101 that fits, but maybe not. I made my own for several of my firearms, it's not hard, merely tedious if sewing by hand.
That last one, on the Taurus Tracker, is about the size that you want.

[FergusonTO35]

Tried it in my K frame holsters. They could be used but are a loose fit, whereas the J frame holsters are really tight. A local shop has a pretty good selection, I'll go over there and see if any will work.

[victorfox]

I don't know if this is a newer one or kind of a version, my father has the same gun, but 38 only, from the end of the '90s and the grips are those massive wood slabs... It's a really though gun.

[FergusonTO35]

This one is almost brand new, made by Braztech. My understanding is that this revolver can use the same grips as the Taurus 617, other posts I have read suggest that Galco holsters for the SP-101 are a perfect fit. I think a compact .38 or .357 with 6 rounds and a 2-3" barrel is about the perfect carry revolver as long as you don't need something really small. I think Ruger could have had a runaway success if they had given the SP-101 six rounds instead of five, it would have barely added any size or weight as the SP is already pretty big for a five shooter.

[FergusonTO35]

Got the Pachmayrs today, they are an immediate improvement in looks and comfort. I think they give the gun a classy Colt DSIV or Ruger Speed Six look.

[FergusonTO35]

Shot the Rossi more today after work with the same load, 3.2 grains 700X/150 grain LSWC. Resting my elbows on an overturned bucket, this revolver makes nice tight groups that are dead on as far as windage goes. They are on average 2" high at 10 yards though. I'm thinking that the sights were intended for 125 grain slugs which are commonly used in .357 Magnum as well as defensive .38 Special ammo. With my S&W 10-5 the opposite is true: dead on with 150-160 grain slugs, 2" low with the 125's. I poured a bunch of Lee 358-125-RF to try in it. I hope it likes these because I already use bunches in my Marlin 1894C and 9mm's.

[FergusonTO35]

Tried out the Lee 358-125-RF slugs yesterday and they were right on the money, at least at 20 feet. They seemed to group tighter too, although this is probably more just me getting used to the gun. I went ahead and poured a bunch of them for it, hopefully I can add the Rossi to my carry rotation by the time cooler weather arrives. If all the current Rossi revolvers are as nice as this one then they are a diamond in the rough indeed!

[Lefty Red]

I think I read some where that the newer revolvers are sighted in for a 125ish grain bullet. I know about every newer S&W snub I shoot is dead on with that bullet range and about 4-6" high with the 158ish grains bullets.

Glad the Rossi is working out for you. Was looking and found an older Taurus 8 shot with a 2ish" barrel for sale! LOL never knew that made something like that. Would make a good bed side pistol.

Jerry

[runfiverun]

there are no 'current rossi's' except in name only.
there are current taurossi's and probably not for much longer.
Taurus can't keep themselves out of trouble.

[FergusonTO35]

That is unfortunate as the 461 is a darn good sixgun. Mebbe I better buy another one.....

[FergusonTO35]

Still shooting and enjoying the 461 with the Lee 358-125-RF sized to .358 with Tac-X lube. The revolver is very accurate with this boolit, shoots almost perfectly to the sights. I'm looking for an accurate load with a consistent 850-900 fps. This can be difficult with lighter boolits due to all the extra room in the case. My usual charges for 158 grain slugs actually chronograph less velocity with the 130 grain boolits from my mold. Going to try 3.9 grains Bullseye this weekend, hopefully that will get me there.

[Lefty Red]

You have me itching for one!

[FergusonTO35]

It's a good gun to itch for. 3.9 grains Bullseye only produced 749 fps over the chrono, albeit with excellent accuracy.

[shoot-n-lead]

The most accurate load that I have for my old model Ruger .357 is that bullet over 4.5grs of 231/HP38...1000fps and lights out accurate.

[FergusonTO35]

Thanks for the tip. Was that in .38 or .357 brass? How long is your barrel?

[shoot-n-lead]

Thanks for the tip. Was that in .38 or .357 brass? How long is your barrel?

It shoots great in either...naturally, fps is less in the mag case...but it would still be in your desired range.

I have probably shot more of it in .357...but that is only to prevent the carbon ring of shorter brass.

Give it a try in the special case...I think you will be satisfied with the results.

That load is out of the Lee reloading manual. If you would like, I will take a pic of the page and text it to you. Just let me know.

[shoot-n-lead]

I sent it to you in a pm.

[FergusonTO35]

I got it, thanks. Will try HP-38 next. 4.5 Bullseye produced 835.5 fps with an ES of 50. According to the data this is already in +P territory so maybe a slower powder will produce better results.

[Lefty Red]

I got to hold and mess with a new Taurus 85 today. It was a cheap flat black finish, but it was all metal and felt really good. Gun shop owner said he just started carrying Taurus again because they had actually started to make better stuff. He is pretty picky about what he brings in to sell.

Saw a CA Pit Bull in 9mm as well. Wa not impressed. 5 shot and was thicker than my Sp101. Reports of the 9mm cases slipping under the extractor and a pain to empty the cyclinder.