This Christmas I got my son the Bisley Flattop 44 Spl for a belt hunting gun. I'd heard good reviews on these particular Lipsey's Exclusive guns. I was wanting to get the stainless version, but couldn't find one anywhere, so I settled on the blued version.

When I opened the box, I immediately noticed the craftsmanship on this revolver.



The blued finish is not that of the old models, but the grip to frame fit is the best I've seen save for Freedom Arms or a custom - It is almost seamless...




The only complaints are the usual horrible grip panel fit that's become standard for today's rugers....




...and the front sight being just a little too short, which is why I was looking for a stainless version with the pin in front sight.

He wanted to shot cast bullets in it and we discussed the standard Skeeter load being the idea load. I first checked all the standard dimensions before loading and shooting. The barrel excepted a .415 pin gauge all the way through with no binding/thread choke...



...and each cylinder throat measured a uniform .431...



After doing an action job on it, we got started with load development.

So with new Starline brass, some 250 gr Keith bullets sized .430, WLP primers and 7.5 grains of Unique, we loaded a few and went to the target. He was wanting it zeroed dead on at 50 yards, but we were unable to attain that zero with the Skeeter load and too short front sight (4" high). After bumping up the load to 8.5 grains of Unique and rear sight bottomed out, we were able to get point of impact at 1" high at 50 yards. With this load combo, he was getting 2" groups at 50 yards from the bench (sorry, no photos of target, we were in a hurry to get it zeroed before dark so he could hunt with it the next morning).

All in all, I think if you're looking for a hip revolver for hunting, these Lipsey's exclusive Flattops are a bargain!

And he did christen it...

That is stinking gorgeous! Great buy for your boy.

what a great gift. looks like he shoots it well!

Nice looking Ruger in a very practical caliber. Looks like it was put to good use already on a very good buck. Congratulations!

Congrats on the gun and deer.

Most excellent!

I?ve so far resisted that gun. But, I have to keep resisting.

Really nice and heck of a Christmas present!

Mine is the 4 5/8 standard gripframe. Absolutely love the gun! Finding the best acceptable load is still an ongoing project. Acme hy-tek coated cast bullets to be tested. 2400 and universal powders are suspects to be tried some more.
I also picked up a pound of HS-6 that i may try sometime as well.

When does he get the new grips and knife that go with it?

As soon as I can find someone willing😜

Very nice Kim, when it shoots as good as it looks that's always a good thing. Tell your boy congratulations for me.

Super nice. I love mine. I went with Keith bullets over 2400. the gun is plenty strong for these loads and the velocity works perfect with the sights. The pic is of an offhand group at 25 yards using the the Magnus 250 Keith over 16.5grs 2400 with a 150 primer. It put 4 in one hole. The two lower shots are my sight adjustments after testing the load. I just haven't done a glamour shot so have to excuse the pic. It does this consistently with this load.

Roy, great shooting! We discussed maybe later on trying some 2400 to bump the velocity a little more. I see it works for yours.

It works great. I have went to 17grs (Elmer's 44sp load) without an issue.

I was fortunate to pick up one of these in the stainless flat top bisley version. I haven't had the time to shoot it yet but I could definitely see it becoming a constant companion around the farm. I can only hope mine shows accuracy even approaching that shown here!

Looks like a great revolver and clearly worked perfectly on that deer!

nice shooter and a nice buck to bloody it.

That's fantastic. Thanks for the info. I really like the lipseys guns. I have one of the .454 casulls and have shot a bunch of deer with it. Good stuff

I really can't wait to shoot mine. I have some Missouri 240gr loaded up with some csb-1. I hope to be able to get about 1000fps with that bullet and powder for a good plinking load. I'm going to try for 1100fps plus with the Lyman 255gc and h110 for hunting. I'd LOVE to convert my new flat top 45 Colt to bisly as well if anyone has a lead on a stainless bisley grip frame.

What is csb-1?

It's an imported maxum powder. Rio uses it in their shotshells. It has a burn rate similar to universal.

Thank you. Hadn't heard of that one.

Nice revolver indeed ! My Flattop is a 5 1/2 inch, also a Lipsey?s with the standard grip frame. I wish I had the Bisley frame.