Ruger only loads. Do you?

[Action_Can_Do]

Hello everyone. About 2 years ago I bought a ruger blackhawk convertible with the 45 colt and 45acp cylinders. I wasn't the least bit impressed with the available factory ammo for 45 colt. Usually it was anemic compared to most 45 auto loads. The 45 colt was a big reason for why I started reloading. I discovered I really liked the weaker "ruger only" loadings. 19.7 grns of 2400 with a 250 xtp has proven really accurate in my blackhawk. Tonight I will be using H4227 for the first time and I can't wait to try it out.
I have noticed however that quite a few people are very much against the "ruger only" loads. My question is why? Haven't handloaders been doing this for decades? Is this one of those instances where people just don't want to do anything outside of the lines. I have an uncle who refuses to shoot 38 special through his 357 magnum so I do know that mentality exists. Is that the case? Or do the naysayers have good reasons?

 

[evan price]

With regard to .38 in a .357: Some folks don't like to have two carbon lines in the cylinder or clean a .38 ring to get .357 to fit. If you have plentiful .357 brass, why bother?

With regard to Ruger only loads, I do. I have a Super Redhawk. The factory .44 mag loadings are OK but in a big heavy chunky gun like the SRH it feels like a .357 mag, hardly like the .44 Mag I bought. Also I get flatter trajectories at long range with the heavier loads.

Some folks don't need that extra power or want to beat up their (albeit, very well built to take it) Rugers. If all you are shooting is paper it doesn't care how fast the bullet travels when it punchs a neat little hole. Plus some people have weaker hands or wrists and full power loads are painful.

To each his own, that's what makes the USA great.

 

[kanook]

When I didn't have a 44 I would do "Ruger Only" in the 45. Now I have a SRH 454 and don't worry about it now. I still do "Ruger Only" in the 357 due to the fact that I reload that the most and shoot it the most. I'm sending the cylinder off to get converted to 356gnr so that I can get the most out of that 158grain bullet. That will definately be a "Ruger Only" load.

 

[loadedround]

Ruger only loads exist because Ruger single action revolvers are much more stronger than any Colt SAA and reloaders have been pusing 45 Colt loads close to 44 mag pressure. If anyone was stupid enough to fire a Ruger only load thru a Colt you could possibly have the revolver "let go" in your hand with the backstrap coming off and possibly the cylinder or frame splitting. At the very LEAST you will loosen the Colt so badly that it would be useless as a shooter or collector. I'm sure you've seen pictures of single actions blown up in various loading manuals. Regarding shooting 38's in a 357, there is a another minor problem there. both cartridges will build up a ring in the cylinder from lube, lead, and unburnt powder, and if not cleaned out throughly after shooting the 38's, you may have difficulty or find it impossible to chamber 357 cases. That's all there is to that question.

 

[Marlin 45 carbine]

a shooting buddy has a Ruger convertible as yours. I don't recall his .45 Colt loads but since I load for a S&W 625 I do know his loads for the acp cylinder are put into .45 Super brass and loaded to max with Power Pistol.

 

[Mal H]

I have noticed however that quite a few people are very much against the "ruger only" loads.

I haven't ever noticed that so I can't give you an answer as to why. Where are you hearing or reading that?

I have the same feelings as you about commercial .45 Colt ammo and have bought maybe one box of 20 of it. Everything else I shoot in a Vaquero .45 Colt is reloads and about a third is in the "Ruger Only" category.

 

[Remo-99]

'Ruger Only' loadings as such in 45colt are just basically a '+P' type loading(although not officially reconnized as such).
Being that the calibre has been around for such along time, and many older firearms in .45colt calibre still exist(from times when metallurgy was at a lesser standard than it is today) ammo makers tend to keep pressures inline with blackpowder loadings.

With handloading and a strong modern built firearm ie Ruger, some people choose to take advantage of what that calibre can offer, this is why 'Ruger Only' load data can be found in loading manuals, which has been tested in labs with those firearms.

I like to shoot modern high recoilling magnum calibres, but I also appreciate a light target load for doing precision bullseye shooting.
With some calibres/guns ya can do both with the one gun.

 

[Bwana John]

I have a ~17 year old M-700 Remington in 7mm Mauser.

One of my older Hogdens reloading manuals has 7mm Loads "for Ruger only" and thats what I use for my reloading data.
I believe the pressure difference is 10k psi (45k-55k)

I would not want to shoot my heavy 7mm Mauser reloads in an old rolling block.

I have shot new commercial 7mm Mauser made by Nobel that was just as hot as my "for Ruger only" handloads.

 

[ranger335v]

"Ruger only loads. Do you? "

Yes.

 

[philbo]

Ruger only loads? Sure, and I make sure they are prominently labeled so they don't get used with the wrong revolver.

 

[Ben Shepherd]

Yep. Sure do. But all my wheelguns are Rugers, so it works out fine.

 

[hillbillydelux]

Ruger only loads are perfectly fine in the blackhawk you mention. I seriously doubt any reloading manual would print them if they werent 100% sure they would not get sued. Just be carefull if you ever get into the new vaquero/old vaquero category. The new vaquero is NOT as strong as the old model and I would advise against using "ruger only" loads in them.

 

[Mr. Creosote]

Been loading for an early Vaquero. I dont have my logs here but i recall I had been loading around 20 gr of IMR 4227 under a 250gr XTP HP. I loaded some with H110 also. The gun is a blast to shoot with these loads! Nearly 44 mag performance!

 

[RidgwayCO]

The only caution I'm aware of is to ensure you don't use a "Ruger Only Load" in their New Model Vaquero. The new model uses a frame size very similar to the Colt SAA, and therefore they aren't strong enough to contain a "Ruger Only Load".

 

[The Bushmaster]

I have three .357 magnums. A Ruger 6 1/2", Colt SAA 4 3/4" and a S&W Mod 19 2 1/2" barrel.

I have always loaded rounds just for the Ruger and much lighter loads for the Colt (It's over 40 years old). And a completely different load for the S&W. Never thought anything was wrong with that. I thought that's why we reload...Isn't it?

 

[Action_Can_Do]

Mal H
I've heard other members on this forum mention a dislike for the ruger only loads though I can't remember specific names. I do remember one of them claiming that Bill Ruger himself considered it revolver abuse. Don't know if that's true or not.

 

[mgkdrgn]

I intend too ... once we are blessed with primers and powder again. I have a Puma/Rossi lever gun in 454 that should handle those quite nicely.

 

[kludge]

I wasn't the least bit impressed with the available factory ammo for 45 colt. Usually it was anemic compared to most 45 auto loads.

Interesting... the 225gr SWC-HP is accurate in my 4" Redhawk and clocks 950fps.

http://www.natchezss.com/Ammo.cfm?c...WC HP 225 20/BX&CFID=8862456&CFTOKEN=93326755

It'll do about anything that needs done, I reckon.

 

[rcmodel]

I do remember one of them claiming that Bill Ruger himself considered it revolver abuse.

That's odd?

The Blackhawk / Super Blackhawk was designed around the 40,000 PSI .44 Magnum round when it first came out.

Standard .45 Colt loads run 14,000 CUP.

Speer "Ruger Only" .45 Colt loads run 25,000 CUP.

I know some folks load to .44 Mag pressure, but that probably is abuse, due to the thinner chamber walls and more backthrust of the larger "piston area" of the .45 Colt case.

rc

 

[bfoosh006]

And to further complicate matters....most Ruger magnum revolvers have longer then normal length cylinders. I can use the cannalure closer to the base of the bullet (with the heaviest bullets) in my .44 mag Super Blackhawk, hence leaving more space for more powder. Helps in the velocity with the 300 grain rounds.

Visual example; https://www.hornady.com/shop/?ps_session=863914952ea915546d15f023dadb4c02&page=shop%2Fbrowse&category_id=f62052cbc8419dfb03539f2b88a36abb...look at the last bullet, the 300gr ones. And..the 180gr .357...https://www.hornady.com/shop/?ps_session=863914952ea915546d15f023dadb4c02&page=shop%2Fbrowse&category_id=03f5bc0b39f584f443753498359f2f7c

And... the .45 300gr revolver rounds...https://www.hornady.com/shop/?ps_session=863914952ea915546d15f023dadb4c02&page=shop%2Fbrowse&category_id=c824f8a3cf4470d4fa95f4c7b72957e0

 

[Remo-99]

I do remember one of them claiming that Bill Ruger himself considered it revolver abuse.

That's odd?

Yes it is RC, since Super RedHawks/BlackHawks come chambered in calibres such as 454casull and 44mag.

While I don't think pushing the envelope (pressure wise) in a 45colt chambering, is that good of a practice.
The Ruger Only loads would be quite OK with those revolvers.
Sure there would be a little more wear and tear on the action/frame etc. But the same is true with magnum chamberings, if all that is shot in it is crate loads of magnum ammo.

 

[Old Fuff]

I do remember one of them claiming that Bill Ruger himself considered it revolver abuse.

The Old Fuff was the source for that.

Some years ago I had a conversation with him, and mentioned the use of “Ruger only” loads listed in some reloading manuals. He bristled, and among other things I won’t repeat called the practice “revolver abuse.” His opinion was formed by a number of guns that were returned asking for warrantee repair that had clearly expanded (but not ruptured) chambers, although there were a few of those too. He felt that encouraging reloaders – especially new ones – to push the envelope sometimes led to what might be seen as a good thing becoming a much too good thing.

His position was that Ruger firearms were made to use industry standard ammunition, plus a built-in safety factor. The purpose of the safety factor was not to justify overloads. From the manufacturers point of view I think he was right. If you want a Magnum (by what ever name), buy one.

For the record, I don't use "Ruger only" loads, although I'm aware that the revolvers are able to usually withstand them.

 

[lkbenson]

Sure, I load the "Ruger Only" loads. Favorite load is 21.5gr. of H-110 behind LaserCast 300 gr. of lead in .45 Colt Starline brass. I shoot them in my Blackhawk, Vaquero and Winchester 1892.

 

[zxcvbob]

I have several favorite .45 Colts loads ranging from 19500 psi to about 27000. Some people say you can take it to 30000 and beyond, but that cylinder wall looks awfully thin to me, especially where it's notched.

I generally try to keep them below 25000 psi. The load I shoot the most is right at 20000 psi, using 230 grain bullets and Promo (similar to Red Dot) powder.

 

[.38 Special]

An awful lot of people have sent an awful lot of "Ruger only" loads through their Rugers without problem. I have no doubt that some handloaders, in their desire to constantly push the limits and/or "prove" that the loading manuals are all printed by lawyers and that you have to add 10% to get the "real loads", have abused their Rugers. That is certainly true for any gun, however. I am also sure that hotter loads decrease the useful lifespan of a gun, including Rugers and every other gun ever made. But I do not see 25,000 PSI loads in a .45 Blackhawk as "abuse" any more than I see 40,000 PSI loads in a .44 Blackhawk as "abuse". Doubtless the lives of both guns can be extended by shooting only mild loads through them, but... so?

FWIW, as far as I can tell the origin of the "anti-hot load" business was the weak balloon-head brass used in the Colt in the early part of century. But for decades after balloon head brass became obsolete collector's items the myth was kept alive, for whatever reason. Modern .45 Colt brass is at least as strong as .44 Magnum brass, which has been proven so thoroughly that few people repeat the old myth any more -- but the argument against hot .45 Colt loads persists. Can't keep a good curmudgeon down, I guess.

Oh, and to answer the question: Yes. I have fired countless 325 grain bullets down various Blackhawks and Bisleys at speeds exceeding 1100 FPS. This can be done in perfect safety using loads published by Hodgdon. I have never worn out a Blackhawk or Bisley or even caused noticeable wear with these loads.