One More Newbie Question

[jack]

Would someone please explain the difference(s) between "Ruger Only" loads and the term "Bisley"? To date, my shooting/reloading experience has been with only 45ACP, 38sp, and 357.

TIA .... jack

 

[Lost Sheep]

Bisley is a shooting range in England. The shape of our single action target revolvers' hammer and grips for some guns that competed there in the 1900's adopted the name. This is all I can remember from what I read on Wikipedia. But that should give you something to go on.

Supposedly, the shape is easier to shoot with than the traditional "plowhandle" grip of the Colt Single Action Army.

edited to add: http://www.sixguns.com/BookOfThe44/bot44c26.htm
which says, in part:

From 1836 to 1941 Colt offered six grip frames, the Paterson, the Walker, the Dragoons, the 1851 Navy which carried over to the Colt SAA, the 1860 Army, and the Bisley Model

and

The Bisley grip frame was totally different; it was designed to stabilize the sixgun and keep it from shifting in the hand during target shooting.

The "Ruger Only" loads are are higher pressure than the original 45 Colt cartridge can handle. The 45 Colt cartridge started life as a black powder cartridge and had "balloon head" cases that could not take high pressure any more than late 1800s revolver could. So, standard 45 Colt loadings are limited to rather low pressures.

Nowadays 45 Colt brass have (has?) solid web design and modern guns have stronger metal. Ruger is the best-known of these stronger guns (stronger than antique guns and replicas of the older guns). So, the name "Ruger only" signifies higher-pressure loadings.

Rugers, however are not the only guns capable of handling "Ruger Only" loads. Colt Anaconda, Thompson-Contender Single-Shot, Marlin Lever Action carbines, Freedom Arms and others can do so, too.

edited to add:
http://www.rugerforum.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?t=119732
and
http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=541556

Thanks for asking.

 

[jack]

Thanks for the info. I obviously need to spend some more time researching this before buying "anything". A good project for this winter.

 

[WIL TERRY]

JACK, it is now time to put you on a weekly ration of shooting books. LOOK in the back of your new GUN DIGEST where there is a list of gun books published since Moses was a corporal. Start at A and go to Z.
Let me recommend the first two, SIXGUNS BY KEITH and SIXGUNS BY TAFFIN. Yes...I am a prejudiced witness as I wrote the intro in the latter. YOU will be one smart cookie a year from now !!!
And so it goes...

 

[loaded round]

Also, please bear in mind that Ruger Blackhawk and OM Vaquero revolvers are built much stronger than any Colt Style Single action revolver or Colt clones with their smaller frames and cylinder diameters. The Ruger can safely withstand much higher pressure safely...hence ''Ruger only loads'' as listed in various reloading manuals.

 

[Lost Sheep]

Also, please bear in mind that Ruger Blackhawk and OM Vaquero revolvers are built much stronger than any Colt Style Single action revolver or Colt clones with their smaller frames and cylinder diameters. The Ruger can safely withstand much higher pressure safely...hence ''Ruger only loads'' as listed in various reloading manuals.

And, of course, most rifles chambered for 45 Colt can take the "Ruger Only" power/pressure levels (check with the manufacturer) along with Freedom Arms, Linebaugh, Colt Anaconda and others I cannot remember. Also, anything chambered for 454 Casull or 460 S&W can take "Ruger Only" loads, no matter what logo is on the gun.


"Ruger Only" is just a term designating enough strength to go beyond the standard (approximate 14,000 psi) .45 Colt pressure.

Lost Sheep

 

[mikld]

Yah, the "Ruger Only" designation is similar to the +P rating, to be used in stronger guns only. Personally, I have no reason for "Ruger Only" as I won't try to wring every 1/2 foot per second from any round. If my .44 Special is too slow, I'll go to .44 Mag. If my 45 Colt is too slow I'll go to a 454n C shooter...