Quote:
Originally Posted by Por_sha911
I appreciate the info. A Ruger tech rep advised that the New Model Flat Tops are stronger except for the 45 Colt and 44. Here is the communication:
Our Firearms are designed to handle all US Industry Standard Ammunition made to SAAMI Spec including +P., except 45 Colt +P & 44 +P. If you have specific questions as to whether a type of ammunition meets SAAMI specs. We recommend you contact an ammo manufacturer.
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Interesting. While I would never shoot my high pressure "Blackhawk" loads in my New Vaquero (they are too long to fit anyway), I've fired thousands of "+P" loads out of it. Everyone I know with a new Flat Top in .45 Colt or .44 Special does so as well, without any trouble at all. I know this kind of flies in the face of my mantra on "gun safety", but the only data I have ever used has been published in recognized, reliable, industry sources.
Brian Pearce just wrote an article in
Handloader earlier this year on precisely this - "+P" loads for the .45 Colt, and which guns are suitable for them. He included both the Flat Top and New Vaquero in his list of suitable guns. Again, these absolutely will not take the loads shown in many reloading manuals under their "Ruger Only" data, but they will accept a useful bump up from what the Colts will accept.
https://www.handloadermagazine.com/45-colt-p-medium-frame-sixguns-pet-loads
I'm afraid one needs a subscription to read all of it, but this gives the gist of it.