Ruger Blackhawk small/large frame sizes?

[alpining]

Hi all - I've recently been told that there are differences in the frame sizes within the Ruger Blackhawk series. NOT simply comparing BH to SBH, but rather within the BH line. First, is it fact? I thought maybe this individual was confusing the Vaquero with the Blackhawk. Second, how can I tell which Blackhawk is which? The Ruger website doesn't seem to show any such differences...

It's important to me because I would like to use hot handloads in a 45 Colt version, and I was told that the "small" Blackhawks are not safe for this.

Thanks in advance...

 

[just having some fun]

Do some searghing on gunblast they do lots of stuff on Rugers

one article here

h tt p://www.gunblast.com/Ruger-NewVaquero.htm

 

[alpining]

Do some searghing on gunblast they do lots of stuff on Rugers

one article here

h tt p://www.gunblast.com/Ruger-NewVaquero.htm

Thanks, that's an interesting article on the Vaquero. As per my post, I want to know about the Blackhawk.

 

[alpining]

So in my stumbling around the interwebs, I found my answer. There are some "Distributor Exclusive" models of the Blackhawk in 45 Colt that are built on a "medium" 357-sized frame in which it is not safe to fire "Ruger only" handloads. These are the "flattop" models currently listed as available from Lipsey's on the Ruger website. As far as I can tell, all current "standard" Blackhawks in 45 Colt are fine.

Just in case anyone else has the same question in future...