Author Topic: Strongest load for a 45-long colt in a Ruger? (Read 2501 times)

Kenneth in NC · « **on:** September 28, 2005, 11:04:22 AM »

My wife bought me a Ruger Vaquero Stainless Steel SA 5.5" barrel (45-Long Colt) for my birthday. What is the strongest load this pistol can handle?

Is the PMC 45-Long Colt Plus P ammo to hot for this pistol?

Thanks for your insights.

Kenneth in NC

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #1 on:** September 28, 2005, 12:13:54 PM »

first thing youd have to know is if its one of the new small framed guns or the older large framed guns. The small framed guns should be kept at colt levels and for the older large framed guns theres loading data specifically for them in most loading manuals.

Robert · « **Reply #2 on:** September 28, 2005, 02:03:27 PM »

Just a note here....if you have a Vaquero....does it have the little 'birdshead' grips? Or does it have a nice Pachmyr grip. Hot 45 Colt loads with hard 'birdshead' grips can work up a blister real quick. Now if you have nice comfortable grips....I can help you work up some really nice loads. I don't have a Ruger, but the reloading data for Rugers and Contenders are the same. I have the Contender manual that has extensive load data for 45 Colt with many different bullets and powders. Would be glad to help.

Kenneth in NC · « **Reply #3 on:** September 28, 2005, 03:27:35 PM »

My Vaquero is one of the older models. I'd like to get one of the New models and may later on. It has the full wood grips.

I bought some cowboy loads and some HP rounds. The gunshop guru said the PMC 45 Long Colt +P ammo was to hot for pistols. I had heard and read that the Rugers were beefy enough to handle hot +P loads.

Kenneth in NC

Steve P · « **Reply #4 on:** September 28, 2005, 03:28:06 PM »

Looking for the strongest load? Going to blow up your new gun? Everybody duck!!

My Vaquero likes 8 grains of Unigue with 245 cast bullet. Good mild load. It also likes a large amount of 2400 for the heavier, hunting, stop that bear load with same bullet.

You do have to be careful. There is not a whole lot of metal between the holes in that cylinder. Loads that get too hot are going to want to expand. Expanding brass = expanding cylinder walls = cracking metal = flying pieces.

You also have to watch for barrel twist. High pressure loads with heavy bullets can cause the barrel to try to twist in the frame. Watch your front sight blade. If it starts leaning.......

Good luck, shoot a healthy load, less than max, and enjoy that gun!!

Steve

Lone Star · « **Reply #5 on:** September 28, 2005, 03:48:44 PM »

I've been shooting the .45LC for over 30 years, in Rugers, Dan Wessons, S&Ws, T/Cs, M94s....all but the S&W would accept "Ruger-level" loads. These are not at all dangerous in the appropriate revolver - there is plenty of metal between the cylinders, the problems are at the latch cutout - most revolvers fail at the top of the chamber, blowing off the top strap. But the Rugers (except the newer Vaqueros) are plenty strong for tested loads.

Since the Ruger barrels are brought up tight to the frame at the barrel shoulder, it is pretty tough for them to "tighten" any more, although I guess anything is possible. Mine never have, and I've fired a lot of "Ruger-level" loads. My Dan Wesson had a removable barrel, and it never loosened with 300-grain bullets at 1200 fps.

All that said, the heavy loads can be uncomfortable to shoot, although in my youth I loved to fire the 300-grain bullets at 1200 fps and never tired of them. Today my favorite loads are with 250-grain XTPs and BlueDot powder for around 1000-1100 fps; plenty for deer, plinking and anything else.

Doe · « **Reply #6 on:** September 28, 2005, 04:23:13 PM »

Hot load is what your looking for will here they are...PLEASE WORK YOUR WAY UP AND CHECK FOR PRESSURE SIGN!!!!!!!!!!! (edited)

Lone Star · « **Reply #7 on:** September 28, 2005, 05:16:11 PM »

I'm not the load police, but we usually refrain from listing high pressure loads in this forum, particularly those which exceed published maximums. The last load, a 260-grain SWC (EDITED) is above pressure-tested levels as far as I can tell. Hodgdon lists a maximum of 24 grains with a 260-grain jacketed bullet; Speer lists a maximum of 20 grains. Most high pressure signs do not appear with the .45LC - read Hornady to see how primer appearance is a bogus way to "measure" pressure. Sticky extraction? A rough chamber can see tight extraction with normal loads. A bulged chamber? Too late....stick with pressure-tested loads only!

And don't assume that cast bullets always produce less pressure than jacketed ones - it simply isn't so. If in doubt, peruse a Lyman manual sometime....

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #8 on:** September 28, 2005, 10:36:24 PM »

from the moderator--- I edited a few of these post. As long as im moderator of this form Id appreciate it if no heavy loads were published on here that arent quoted from loading manuals. Please if do state which loading manual brand number and page you got these loads for. I dont know what greybeards stand on this is and he may step on my toes here but theres alot of begining loaders here and pushing any gun to the ragged edge leaves no room for error and i dont want to see anyone hurt. So as long as im the moderator here i will edit these post.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #9 on:** September 29, 2005, 12:42:37 AM »

I agree Lloyd Smale. To many new reloaders out there, and it only takes one bad round. :eek:

Doe · « **Reply #10 on:** September 29, 2005, 12:49:54 AM »

Yloyd Smale, Your right I would have to agree with you on that !! If your still looking for hot load for the 45 old model colt (look at HODGODON web page). :toast:

TNrifleman · « **Reply #11 on:** September 29, 2005, 02:24:14 PM »

Your large frame Vaquero will handle the PMC +P ammo just fine.

Dusty Miller · « **Reply #12 on:** September 29, 2005, 09:09:18 PM »

Here's a suggestion. Ya got a new revolver ya wanna shoot, load it up with some light to medium loads and take a newbie shooter and and let him/her shoot the first cylinder full-INSTANT GUN ENTHUSIATE!!

Kenneth in NC · « **Reply #13 on:** September 30, 2005, 08:42:12 AM »

Uhummm Guys Right now I don't reload :oops:

I was just wanting to be absolutely sure that shooting the PMC and Corbon Plus P ammo would not harm the Ruger.

I have a Rossi single shot in 45 long colt also. The PMC 300 +p makes a difference when compared to 250 gr loads.

Hey If I trashed the Ruger my wife might shoot me with her 44 magnum. And that'd hurt :wink:

Kenneth in NC

hank_612 · « **Reply #14 on:** October 08, 2005, 01:05:20 PM »

I own a few 45 blackhawks and a rossi 92 in 45. The pmc is not gonna a hurt them a bit. The PMC clocks about 1200fps out of a 5.5 ruger. I have shot 1350+ 330 grainers out of stock blackhawk. Thats as hot as I have seen personally and is pretty hot but doable. The PMC thru a rossi feeds will and shoots a bit high in mine just an fyi.

Steve P · « **Reply #15 on:** October 08, 2005, 08:54:42 PM »

Any store bought ammo from Winchester, Remington (UMC), Federal, PMC, etc will work fine in your Ruger. NO worries. Won't kick much. I have heard the PMC may be a little harder to shoot due to a soft primer cratering and/or backing out a little making the cylinder harder to turn. I may be wrong on this, try a box, it wont hurt anything, other than making cylinder hard to rotate. It may have been a hot 357 load doing this. I am getting old (CRS) and can't remember all the hundreds of posts i go thru in these websites each week.

Go enjoy that Ruger.

Steve

jeager106 · « **Reply #16 on:** October 10, 2005, 11:11:39 PM »

Fer what it's worth I have two Rugers in .45 Colt, a Vquero 5.5" and Bisley Blackhawk in 7.5".
I got over the 'hot load' thing pretty quickly.
The largest thing I'm likely to shoot with a revolver is a whitetail and any bullet between 250 and 300 grains at velocities of 900 to 1200 f.p.s. is way plenty enough for deer at pistol ranges.
I'm playing around with Speer 260 grain j.h.p. right now lumbering along at between 1000 and 1100 f.p.s.
If I get the chance to hunt Mr. Whitetail with the Rugers it will be at my self imposed max range of 50 yards.
The Vaquero often keep me company when palying or cutting wood on in my woods.
There is a Federal Prison a few miles away that averages 5 escapes each year and I don't much fancy running into a gobblin with mayhem on his mind without sufficient means to inflict a severe change of attitude.

Incidently you can 'adjust' the p.o.i. from the fixed sight Vaquero by playing with handloads.
Something to consider if you want to reload.

John R. · « **Reply #17 on:** October 11, 2005, 03:35:49 AM »

Llyod, do you consider the published loads from John Linebaugh to be to hot,even though they have been pressure tested by White Labratories? He states that none of these loads exceed 32,00 psi,which he says the Rugers will handle for two lifetimes. Your input would be appreciated. THANKS :grin:

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #18 on:** October 11, 2005, 11:25:25 PM »

John is a personal friend and i know for a fact that what he preaches is no bs and is proven. i have no problem with his loads but if you post them please post a link to the spot you got them from. Its to easy to make a mistake retyping one of them and although his loads are safe theres not much room for error and if you would post along with it the statement that these loads are not intended for small framed new rugers as most of johns loadings were published before these guns came out.

Cottonwood · « **Reply #19 on:** October 15, 2005, 01:21:21 AM »

Here is the data straight from Hodgdon's own loading data chart.

Hodgdon 45 Colt for Ruger, Freedom Arms and TC ONLY

CAUTION - NEVER USE SOMEONE ELSES LOAD DATA, GET YOUR DATA FROM A MANUAL

Robert357 · « **Reply #20 on:** October 16, 2005, 06:41:29 PM »

You really need to be careful if you want to work up a "hot" load. I just use something between the starting and max load listed for Ruger/Thompson Contender loads in 45 (L) Colt. It is a lot hotter than the Colt Clone loads, which are legal in my state to hunt deer and bear, so it should be very adequate for most things.

I really respect Steve's pages and he does have some "hotter" loads than I would be willing to try, but he also has lots more experience in working up loads and determining pressure signs.

Try a visit to a good reloading manual, visit Steve's page and then carefully work something up.

doncisler · « **Reply #21 on:** January 03, 2006, 06:49:02 AM »

one more point to consider is that the hottest loads for most caliburs are not the most accurate. you are generally best served by an adequate load that is really accurate than a hot load that you can't hit the target with.

ironfoot · « **Reply #22 on:** January 03, 2006, 01:25:29 PM »

http://www.sixguns.com/range/rugervaquero.htm

Doe · « **Reply #23 on:** January 04, 2006, 07:25:29 PM »

Correct me if I'm Wrong here, but isn't ther only the VAQUERO and then NEW VAQUREO stamp on the gun side plate? No such thing as OM Vaquero...Om/Old Model.

AzDrifter · « **Reply #24 on:** January 06, 2006, 05:42:32 AM »

Quote from: Doe

Correct me if I'm Wrong here, but isn't ther only the VAQUERO and then NEW VAQUREO stamp on the gun side plate? No such thing as OM Vaquero...Om/Old Model.

That is correct, however...

It's far better to distinguish between the two (beyond any doubt!) when folks are talking about heavy loads. The old style Vaquero will handle a lot heavier loads that the Nuevo Vaquero.

I haven't shot any of the PMC, but I've shot about everything else available for the .45 Colt though my old style Vaquero with no trouble...along with some fairly heavy hand loads. The hottest was probably the 325 grain hardcasts from Buffalo Bore. The recoil from those is about all I can handle comfortably in my Vaquero.

Daryl