Ruger Experts! Question.
I've gotten interested in 45 Colt caliber firearms here lately. I've added a couple of very nice revolvers to the collection- a very nice S&W Model 25-5, an excellent Colt New Service and a superb Colt 1902 Alaskan. The Alaskan is a safe queen, but the New Service and N-frame S&W are both very fun shooters. To the point:
I've discovered a company that offers an excellent +P 45 Colt round (1450 fps with a 260 gr bullet), and want to experiment with it. However, I feel the old guns would suffer from the pounding, although maybe the S&W would be OK. My question: Are any of you familiar with the Ruger Bisley Vaquero? I know where I can get a really fine one, and wonder if it will be strong enough for that hot load. I've never owned a Ruger, but I know that they make some very strong revolvers, and the Vaquero is also chambered for 44 Magnum, which makes me think it would be fine for the hot loads.
What do you think? Any and all input and alternate suggestions welcome. Thank yew!
My mission is to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable.
I've discovered a company that offers an excellent +P 45 Colt round (1450 fps with a 260 gr bullet), and want to experiment with it. However, I feel the old guns would suffer from the pounding, although maybe the S&W would be OK. My question: Are any of you familiar with the Ruger Bisley Vaquero? I know where I can get a really fine one, and wonder if it will be strong enough for that hot load. I've never owned a Ruger, but I know that they make some very strong revolvers, and the Vaquero is also chambered for 44 Magnum, which makes me think it would be fine for the hot loads.
What do you think? Any and all input and alternate suggestions welcome. Thank yew!
My mission is to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable.
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If the vaquero is on the same frame as the 44 it would be fine. However ruger has brought out a "new" vaquero in the last year which is of a smaller frame size, an it should only be used with colt pressure loads(the smaller new model is not available in 44 mag any longer).
I have a pair of stainless Bisley Vaqueros in 44 mag, and they seem to be good guns.
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Since all input is welcome: I've got one, and think it would handle it, but I believe the load is better used in a .454 Casull as a hot .44 Spec. is used in a .44 Mag. Ruger makes some very strong guns, and you'd really have to work at it to blow one up, but you can loosen them up and prematurely wear them out. 0 -
The Vaquero will handle it if the old model, but they aren't too comfortable to shoot with hot loads. They are best suited to the cowboy action loads. 0 -
Hi,
Ditto. IMHO, the Ruger Super Blackhawk and/or the Ruger Redhawk are the Ruger pistols you are seeking.
There are only a handful of revolvers that are recommended to handle heavy loaded 45 Long Colt cartridges. These are the Rugers (specifically, the Blackhawk and Redhawk), the Freedom Arms revolvers, and custom 45 LCs like the Linebaughs and Bowens (5-shot revolvers).
There are three power levels for the 45 LC. The standard or cowboy loads that can be safely fired in first and subsequent generation SAAs, the handloaded 45 LCs that have increased power for hunting larger game and can be fired safely in six shot revolvers like the Rugers, and a handloaded still higher power version loaded specifically for custom-made 5 shot revolvers like the Linebaughs and Bowens.
Hodgdon has developed loads for the six-shot revolvers and they recommend these loads for only the Rugers, Freedom Arms, and T/Cs pistols because they are the only pistols on the market that can take the pressures of these modern 45 LC loads. Here is a link to the loads developed by Hodgdon.
http://www.hodgdon.com/data/pistol/45coltlil.php
I believe the Vaquero could handle handle these loads safely to a limited extent, especially in the Bisley configuration, however, from a practical viewpoint, why shoot a heavy loaded 45 LC from a cowboy gun? I am not disparaging the Vaquero because it is a beautiful and well made piece, but its functionality is not suited to heavy loaded 45 LCs. It is in reality a cowboy action pistol designed to use the lighter cowboy loads and lighter hunting chores. It also has fixed sights.
The 45 LC is a powerhouse - repeat powerhouse- compared to the standard 45 LC and can be handloaded to easily surpass 44 Magnum energies at lower pressures. The heavy loaded 45 LC is a performance hunting load for large beasts and to get the most of out of this cartridge a pistol suited to its intended purpose is needed. Therefore the heavier framed revolvers with adjustable sights or scopes is the correct tool for these loads.
I hope this information will help clarify your question.
Regards,
Heavyiron
"If I don't see you nomore on this world, I'll meet you on the next one, and don't be late!" - Jimi Hendrix0 -
If you fire a 260 gr bullet at 1450 fps from a Smith N frame it will most likely come apart starting with the cylinder, then the barrel and who knows what. 0 -
Thanks for all the excellent responses! Especially yours, heavyiron - you've filled in all of the gaps. Unfortunately, my budget is not of the Freedom Arms variety. The Rugers I can afford, though.
SP45, I've fired several hundred 240 grain bullets at over 1500 fps from my Model 29 without it coming apart. Why would the 45 Colt load be different?
My mission is to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable.0
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