Ruger Single-Eight in .250 Magnum?

[Tom K]

Ruger Single-Eight in .250 Magnum?

The June 2016 issue of Handloader magazine has an article with that title, written by Brian Pearce. Lipsey's and Ruger are considering a new cartridge to fill the gap between the .22WMR and .327 Federal Magnum, to be housed in a centerfire Single-Six (similar to the .327 Single-Seven).

I can't honestly say it would be popular and the likely adopters are probably within the Handloader readership. But it sounds like a fun little round, just the sort of thing a gun bug would go for.

In his article, Brian posits a couple of avenues for a parent case. First a .25ACP with a larger rim, stretched to about 1.1" length. Second, a cut down and blown out .22 Hornet (currently being chambered in custom guns and known as the .25 Flea). Of these two I think that the stretched .25ACP might be the way to go. Even though the .25ACP doesn't have the full rim of a revolver round, it does have the slight "semi-rimmed" configuration and would be enough to headspace in a revolver. Extraction would be no problem in a single action gun, although it might be iffy in a hand ejector style revolver. New .250 Magnum ammo and brass might be hard to come by for a while and being able to shoot the commonly available .25ACP round would be a plus, even if comically underpowered. The intrepid handloader might even make some +P+ .25 Auto ammo for the new gun!

Regarding the configuration of the gun itself, my preference would be blue steel and a 9-1/2" barrel option. When the Single-Seven came out in .327 Magnum I immediately ordered one with the 7-1/2" barrel, simply because that was the longest barrel available. And I can live with stainless steel but it's not as attractive to me as blue. I'd love to have a blue 9-1/2" .327 to go with my similarly configured .22LR/.22WMR and .32 H&R Magnum, and I'd like the opportunity to have one in .250 Magnum as well.

I would also like them to make the Single-Eight as a flattop with a Micro style rear sight, like the other Lipsey's Rugers in the larger calibers. I really like that look, and would be happy to see it spread across the Ruger single action lineup.

 

[dusty3030]

That's a mighty narrow gap to fill, especially out of a handgun.

 

[k22fan]

No need is required. This is a hobby.

An extended .25 ACP limits the gun to the few light .251" jacked bullets and bullet molds available. A small production run of Single 7s likely would never stimulate production of heavy enough bullets or molds to make it a decent longer range cartridge. I do not recall a .251" bullet or mold as heavy as 60 grains. .257" bullets start at 75 grains. .257" would be the way to go.

Also, if an extended .25 ACP was advertised as a dual cartridge revolver the chambering would create too many extraction complaints from double actions or the manufacturers would have the sense to not make them. Since snubs out sell sporting revolvers by a huge margin the new cartridge would have a better chance of becoming established if it were practical in one. Maybe a 7th chamber would make .250 Super J frames and SP 101s sell?

 

[2152hq]

Case Forming / Re-forming

There are a couple threads on the Cast Bullet forum on case conversions about the cartridge or at least some forms of it.

Most make it from 5.7x28mm brass and then in various lengths for rifle or revolver applications.
Lots of case forming stuff involved for those of us who like that sort of thing.Some pics and other info too.

It'll probably end up like the 327 but for those that like the odditys in the hobby, it seems to have a following.
Better than having a nice old rifle stuck in 25RF Long I guess.

 

[Tom K]

Brian Pearce suggested that readers might share their thoughts with Lipsey's and Ruger. The email for Lipsey's is [email protected]. To contact Ruger go to their website and use their "Tell The CEO" form: https://ruger.com/dataProcess/tellTheCEO/

I sent my comments to both and received a reply from Jason Cloessner (VP & Product Manager for Lipsey's) the same day. Haven't heard anything from Ruger yet, don't really expect to.

 

[L Pete]

This is another "no need" idea from someone just trying to sell us something that isn't really needed or wanted. If I need something larger than a .22 mag, I step up to the .38 Special. I've seen a couple of .32s that have been introduced in the last thirty years, that really doesn't do anything a .38 Special or more will do. Call me old fashioned or bull headed, but I have no need or want for anything in which the brass and bullets will be difficult to find, and very expensive when they are found. So, count me out on this endeavor. I'll stick with what is commonplace and available.........

 

[Drm50]

I think there is a gap to be filled with a round like this. There has
been very little new in useful field guns in last 20 yrs. It would
be nice to have a reloadable CF cartridge in 25 cal. No comparing
it to 38s, you may be able to do anything it will do with a 38. The
trouble is you do to much. I hope they design rim so it is adaptable to DAs and autos. And house the cartridge in a pistol
with adjustable sights and decent barrel length. If brought out
in the plastic space guns, it will be just another toy.