What makes ruger so special that it can get it's own SUPER SPECIAL hot hot hot loads... while the S&W etc etc can only handle factory loads.... of whatever caliber of your choosing

The rugers don't look excessivly bulkier than do the other handguns?

Please educate me?

They are bulkier, that's why.

Probably better metallurgy than the older smiths as well.

What models of S&W compared to what Ruger models?

This would be the heavy loads in calibers like .44, .45 Colt, .454, etc.

The "Ruger only" loads just reinforce the badassness of Ruger revolvers and are the reason I need to get one soon!

What makes ruger so special that it can get it's own SUPER SPECIAL hot hot hot loads... while the S&W etc etc can only handle factory loads.... of whatever caliber of your choosing

The rugers don't look excessivly bulkier than do the other handguns?

Please educate me?


Go to your local gun shop, ask to see a model 29 and a Redhawk. Pick one up and then the other. If it is not very obvious to you at the time, leave, go to Starbuck's and order a double half caf, low fat soy latte and stay the fawk outta this forum. :flipoff2:

In all seriousness, I think you will see and fell the difference immediately.

Just for shits and grins, pick up a Super Redhawk and feel the heft of that bad boy. :eek:

The Smith 460 and 500 do not count. :smokin:

EDIT: Just compare the top strap on the 29 to the Ruger (either the Redhawk or the SA, you'll see a big difference there)

What makes ruger so special that it can get it's own SUPER SPECIAL hot hot hot loads... while the S&W etc etc can only handle factory loads.... of whatever caliber of your choosing

The rugers don't look excessivly bulkier than do the other handguns?

Please educate me?

They are bulkier and stronger due to the investment casting process Bill Ruger created. A Smith is almost as strong, a Dan Wesson should be too.

I have seen some loads that say they are safe for anything but a Charter Arms, LOL.

Because if I put one of my hot loads through a piece of crap S&W it will explode. :flipoff2:

Although we loaded up some REAL hot stuff in my buddies .500, and it survived.

Oh yes, because the X frame and the model 29 are exactly the same right?

An additional reason is that most Ruger DA revolvers have a locking crane.

The old S&W 1917 "triple lock" and the new X-frame are the only two S&W revolvers I know of that were/are available with a locking crane.

Did it say anything about those loads being for a Super Redhawk? They are supposed to be the strongest revolver made simply by design. That was several years ago since I read that, there may be stronger revolvers out there now.

Oh yes, because the X frame and the model 29 are exactly the same right?

I use the same IWB CCW holster for both, don't you?

Did it say anything about those loads being for a Super Redhawk? They are supposed to be the strongest revolver made simply by design. That was several years ago since I read that, there may be stronger revolvers out there now.

I have seen loads from Buffalo-bore and others that say Super Redhawk or Super Blackhawk only. My S&W 629 Classic is much lighter than my Super Blackhawk was. I still like the S&W better, though.

Apparently cylinder length is a factor. This is from the Buffalo Bore site.

"This new load is designed for only certain revolvers that have the cylinder length to handle it. They are as follows. Ruger Red Hawk, Ruger Super Red Hawk, Ruger Super Blackhawk or Vaquero, Freedom Arms Model 83, Taurus Raging Bull and Dan Wesson Revolvers. Suitable rifles include T/C Encore, "modified" Marlin 1894, Winchester 1894, any rifle with a falling block action and the Handi Rifle."

Also from the Buffalo Bore site:

"This Heavy .44 Special ammunition can be fired in every .44 Special or .44 Magnum gun made EXCEPT CHARTER ARMS .44 SPECIAL BULLDOG"

If I remember correctly, the strength of a Super Redhawk comes from the extended frame in front cylinder. Ruger was having trouble with the frames cracking on the Redhawks so the redesigned it to make it stronger and came up with the Super Redhawk.
They found out later that the frames were being damaged while being assembled. Over torqueing the barrels or no lubrication while torqueing something like that. I cant remember the exact cause.

Pics to show the difference, Redhawk first, Super Redhawk second. You can see the extra steel in the frame of the Super redhawk

Ruger has only made modern guns.
Say you have a hot load for 357 mag, it is about 10% hotter than factory magnum loads.
The ruger will handle it, so will a newer S&W.
So some guy looks in the manual, sees 357 mag and loads it up.
Then he puts it into his 1937 model S&W K Frame. It blows apart.

That is why they always specify Rugers Only. Because ruger makes a strong gun and don't have any old ones that were proofed with a different standard like Smith and Colt.

Same way with 45-70. Books loads are weak, because they have to make them at a pressure standard for an 1800 model rifle that someone still has tucked in their closet.

You will see the hotter loads say "T/C Contender Only" for the same reason.

45 colt is probably the worst. Factory loads are at pressure so that an original colt can take the pressure. We are talking about a gun manufactured just after the Civil War and still shot black powder cartridge.

45 colt is a good cartridge, but you have to hand load to get hot loads. The Manufacturers are afraid that someone is going put a modern cartridge in Buffalo Bill's Colt and try to shoot it.

They know if they say RUGER ONLY, that ALL Rugers were built on the modern pressure standards. They weren't making revolvers in the 1800's.

Ruger has only made modern guns.
Say you have a hot load for 357 mag, it is about 10% hotter than factory magnum loads.
The ruger will handle it, so will a newer S&W.
So some guy looks in the manual, sees 357 mag and loads it up.
Then he puts it into his 1937 model S&W K Frame. It blows apart.

That is why they always specify Rugers Only. Because ruger makes a strong gun and don't have any old ones that were proofed with a different standard like Smith and Colt.

Same way with 45-70. Books loads are weak, because they have to make them at a pressure standard for an 1800 model rifle that someone still has tucked in their closet.

You will see the hotter loads say "T/C Contender Only" for the same reason.

45 colt is probably the worst. Factory loads are at pressure so that an original colt can take the pressure. We are talking about a gun manufactured just after the Civil War and still shot black powder cartridge.

45 colt is a good cartridge, but you have to hand load to get hot loads. The Manufacturers are afraid that someone is going put a modern cartridge in Buffalo Bill's Colt and try to shoot it.

They know if they say RUGER ONLY, that ALL Rugers were built on the modern pressure standards. They weren't making revolvers in the 1800's.

Not to mention, as stated above, the Rugers have longer cylinders that accept the longer loads made by some ammo companies.

I'm pretty sure the "NEW" Vaquero is not approved for the hot hot ruger only loads... The "Old Style" Vaquero is. The old does not have the lock in the grip.