I bought a used one many years ago with a bunch of inserts. I never really had good luck mounting it and lent it to a gunsmith friend. He loved it! I got it back, sent it to the company and had it all rebuilt. Still havent used it but am close to it now. Went out to the local county range and I see they have installed some nice poured cement shooting tables. Went and bought too small of C-clamps and will get bigger ones today.
I have inserts for the K and N frames, python and colt single action. Also woodsmen and super blackhawk. I have about 22 guns those inserts should fit so if I once get this figuered out it should give me a good new hobby to keep busy with in my waneing years!
I have built up a nice collection but have developed the "shakes" as I got older. It`s a family trait on my dads side with dad and many aunts and uncles. My grandpa shook so bad I understand grandma had to shave him!
Hell haveing guns I cant hit with, a airplane I cant fly because of medical. Wish I had done more of what I liked when I was able to years ago! Maybe others can learn from my bad example.

You did what you could at the time and what you were able to, within the constraints of life. I doubt any man or women does "all" they wish or could have.

Don't shoulda, woulda, coulda yourself. I am sure ya done plenty! I don't have a ransom rest or a plane or know how to fly. I did jump out of a perfectly good one once and only once!

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Still Running Against the Wind

Many years ago I was co-owner of a Ransom Rest, Oly chronograph, and a 6" barrel S&W 28. My buddy decided he would become the worlds greatest
handgun ammo developer, sort of a combination of Roy Weatherby and Elmer Keith all rolled up into one.

He managed to break the firing pin and bulge the cylinder in the 28; shake the Ransom Rest half to death; and put a bullet through the crony. He gave up his dream of fame when he got hired on by Atlanta PD. Police work was far safer than shooting his reloads.

But the Ransom Rest really opened my eyes to the accuracy of most any given handgun. Tight groups, even at long ranges, were pretty easy. I was astounded at the groups I got from my Ruger Blackhawk in .30 carbine. I would like to have another one.

THANKS for planting that thought in my head!

are you sure your buddy wasn't Jug Johnson? Sure sounds like ol' Jug

Ted

I have a Ransom rest and really enjoy it. Got it for myself as a 60th birthday present. Takes the human factor out of load testing. All new guns get a session on the Ransom just to see what they will do. The only inserts I have are N and K frame and 1911 Colt. Your going to have some good times with it. People always sat the 45 Colt round isn't accurate. I put my 25-3 in the Ransom with a 250gr swc over 8.0 of Unique and shot a 5 shot cloverleaf at 25 yards.

Ted

I dont have the windage base that is optional. I see they are $222s. I will be takeing mine for a test run in a few days. Probley will be wanting that windage base.

feralmerril,

A mans just got to do what he's got to do.

HAVE FUN.

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NRA Pistol/Rifle Inst. RSO

Soulds like the fictional character "Shrapnel" who shows up occasionally in articles in The Handloader magazine.

Okay, reporting back in. Today I attempted to use the ransom rest. It was a disaster. First I started to set up on that concrete bench. The ground sloped downhill and I would have had to use a 15 ft high target stand. Then I repaired to another wood bench down t he range where they have sass and that sort of thing. I bolted it up and tried a 24-3. The bullets climbed straight up with each shot but was like a line of bullets on a straight string windage wise. Evidently the wood bench wasnt sturdy enough. Then I decided to attempt the same with a colt single action. On this one I couldnt get the gun to fit in the grip block. I guess those colts vary in grip frames slightly and it just wouldnt fit.
All was not lost. I met another guy from my ATV club and his friend out there also shooting. They were a help, knew more than me and gave me some good tips I will try on my next session.
A lone gutsy antelope walked out of the trees and out on the range about 50 yards from me. That was neat!
I got the biggest workout since I moved to this area carrying that stuff down the range, no windage base for the rest. My colt didnt like my handloads and is all leaded up.
This was a learning trip.

Go to the Ransom site. They show how to mount the rest to a board. 3/4 inch plywood with a 1" runner in the front and back. I have mine made to fit the benches at the local range. Then use 4 large C clamps to hold the board to the bench top. Need a sturdy heavy bench. If I have to use a lighter bench or one not a sturdy I put 4 70lb sand bags on the bench top to hold it down. If you get it right it will humble you with how good your loads and guns shoot. Don't give up. You will enjoy it when it is done right. I will post pics of mine tomorrow. Supposed to rain all day anyway.

Ted

I did all you said, have my rest mounted that way. I also used huge c clamps. I found another concrete bench that I think will work, my friends were useing it when I left. The ground wasnt as steeply sloped in front of that one. I will try it again in a few days.
I have to work farther with my colt saa grip. See if I can make it work. Were I to send it back, what could they do with it if they didnt have my gun? My 24-3 wanted to shoot, but I evidently had too soft cast of bullets loaded too hot and have a real leaded barrel to clean up. I never got into casting but belive my new friend is far more knowledgable in that area. If I can get this going right I will have plenty to keep me busy quite awhile. The county has a nice free range out there. Its close to 20 miles for me, but remote and nice. Both those guys also said they have some ransom rests packed away they havent used in many years. Wish I had taken a camera to show that antelope standing near our targets! I have seen some there before.

Here is some pics (I hope) that I took today of my 47 pre K22 in the Ransom Rest

Thanks! I will have to check and measure my spring. I have my board just like yours.

All 3 screws holding the gun in the frame need to be turned to the same tension.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

Thanks! I will get this thing to work yet! It will be sometime next week before I try again.