Hot Ruger only loads?

[Buffalo Red]

Shooting a 1996 vaquero in 44-40
? Anyone worked up hot loads for this application, how did it go?
Buffalo bore Tim Sundaes said I could go up to 44 mag loading in the vaquero.
I'm wondering how the brass holds up etc.
Plan on using 200 gr hard cast lead
Considering powder coating

 

[contender]

Is your Vaquero built on the larger Blackhawk sized frame or the mid-frame?
Easy way to check is to look at the serial number. if the prefix is a 2-digit,, it's a large frame. If it has a 3-digit it's a mid-frame.
Only use Ruger Only loads in the large frame revolvers.

 

[Buffalo Red]

Is your Vaquero built on the larger Blackhawk sized frame or the mid-frame?
Easy way to check is to look at the serial number. if the prefix is a 2-digit,, it's a large frame. If it has a 3-digit it's a mid-frame.
Only use Ruger Only loads in the large frame revolvers.

It's 56-****"

 

[GYJ44]

It's not really the vehicle for that sort of thing. You could load it to 30,000psi but the only problem is that I know of no load data in that range. The brass will definitely suffer and case life will be short. If you want heavy, get a .44Mag cylinder fitted to your gun or buy another gun.

Is your Vaquero built on the larger Blackhawk sized frame or the mid-frame?
Easy way to check is to look at the serial number. if the prefix is a 2-digit,, it's a large frame. If it has a 3-digit it's a mid-frame.
Only use Ruger Only loads in the large frame revolvers.

It's a .44-40 made in 1996. They only made that chambering in large frames and there are no "Ruger only" loads for the .44-40.

 

[ChrisL]

IMO, the gun isn't the limiting factor. Take a look at the 44-40 case, compared to a 44 mag case.

 

[Buffalo Red]

Well I have loaded full case with 3f compressed wow the recoil compared to 231 is a lot more.maybe the way to go.
But looking to go smokeless.
If I add a 44mag cly then I'll have to get dies, brass , plus was told the cly doesn't come in case hard color. I believe 44mag is .001 or more bigger

 

[contender]

Ok, your gun can handle the Ruger only loads.

As a handloader for 48 years,, I've enjoyed all sorts of experiments. But I always stayed within the book specs.
But one thing I learned decades ago,, was that most often,, I found the most accurate load was not the top tier loads. I got over the desire to have the hottest, fire-breathing, loudenkickinboomer loads in favor of accuracy. I learned that if I needed more power,, just move up a caliber or two.

I let each gun tell me what it prefers to enjoy with accuracy as the top thing to search for.

Are you trying to get more power,, or haven't you discovered the accuracy level you seek yet?

Also; "plus was told the cly doesn't come in case hard color." I wasn't aware that the cylinders in any of the blued guns came with the faux color case. Just the frame. Does your gun have it?

 

[Buffalo Red]

O you are correct cly is blued.
Was thinking about the power.
Case is the weak link in this idea I was chasing.

Mostly shot swiss 2f out of this
Occasional 231 BP loads are more accurate and powerful than the 231 ball with same 200gr home cast.
I have the same set up in a nother vaquero 44-40 but cly mouth is undersized to .4255 and barrel slugs to .4295.
I use a .495 sizer on the 200 gr as one vaquero is cly mouth.4295 barrel .430
My rifle 1866 is.429

 

[LDB]

Shovels don't make good saws and screwdrivers don't make good hammers. Get the proper tool for the desired job. Use any tool at hand for the job for which it was designed and intended.