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Offline BRL

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Vaquero for hunting?
« on: February 12, 2009, 03:36:56 AM »
Does anyone use their Vaquero for hunting? Has anyone put a scope, red dot or halo sight on theirs? Or does that ruin what the Vaquero is "supposed" to be?

Thanks!
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Offline Redhawk1

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Re: Vaquero for hunting?
« Reply #1 on: February 12, 2009, 04:45:44 AM »
I have hunted with my Vaquero, I just know what load works good and what distance it works out to. I use the standard Vaquero sight.

I don't think a scope, red dot or halo sight would fit the image of the Vaquero. JMHO
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Offline BRL

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Re: Vaquero for hunting?
« Reply #2 on: February 16, 2009, 09:20:31 AM »
Yeah, I was wondering if it would lessen what a Vaquero is. I might try to practice some with the iron sights and see what I can do out to 50 yards.
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Offline BlkHawk73

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Re: Vaquero for hunting?
« Reply #3 on: February 16, 2009, 10:39:02 AM »
  Optics on a Vaquero?  You've got to be kidding! :o ??? ::)   Not to sound harsh but you say that you'll try and practice to see how you shoot at 50 yrds.  Wouldn't practice be a neccessity regardless of how the firearm was being sighted?  Optics don't negate having to practice. 
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Offline Dee

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Re: Vaquero for hunting?
« Reply #4 on: February 16, 2009, 10:47:28 AM »
If one wanted optics, why would one buy a Vaquero? It would seem to me that a single shot or a more modern six gun would be practical for the optics.
The Vaquero as BlkHawk73 mentioned just needs to be shot and practiced with. It is more than up to the task if the shooter is.
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Offline BRL

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Re: Vaquero for hunting?
« Reply #5 on: February 16, 2009, 11:50:18 AM »
Agreed as mentioned. I was incomplete with my post. I knew what I was asking but didn't portray my thoughts properly in my writing.

Obviously, practice is necessary. I meant...practice with open sights with the gun as is. I thought that was obvious knowing that I would have to practice no matter what the sight might be.

Actually, I didn't purchase the gun. It was left to me when my brother passed away, along the rest of his collection. He and I had different tastes in guns. I buy guns to hunt with or personal protection. He seemed to buy guns that he...well, just wanted to have. Most of his guns have never been shot and are a little impractical (in my opinion) for hunting or Concealed Carry. I can't get myself to sell any, at this point. So, I am just trying to find a use for what he had. I love to hunt and have been wanting to get into handgun hunting for a long time. So, I thought I might want to do it with a gun that he had.

I know what the Vaquero stands for and is better left alone. But I thought...just for a second...that I might put a red dot sight or halo sight from one of his AR's on it. I figured if I found someone else that had that same crazy idea that I had...it just might justify me doing it. Who knows, my brother might have actually thought that would have been cool.

Thanks for the thoughts on the matter.
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Offline BlkHawk73

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Re: Vaquero for hunting?
« Reply #6 on: February 17, 2009, 11:13:47 AM »
  You'd be surprised how many don't believe in practicing. 

  Being that these belonged to your brother, how would he feel about doing as you thought?  Kudos for keeping them!
  I have different tastes than both my brothers and basically buy just to have at this point.  many have never been fired by me and some never will be. Doesn't make it right or wrong just personal choice.
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Offline BRL

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Re: Vaquero for hunting?
« Reply #7 on: February 18, 2009, 02:33:10 AM »
You're absolutely right. It all comes down to personal preference. There is no right or wrong. He wasn't a hunter and his collection reflected that. There's nothing wrong with that. Although there might be something wrong with the sheer number of guns that he had.  :D  I'm sure my wife wasn't too happy that we had to add a gun/safe room to our house, although she kept quiet about it.
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Offline Bart Solo

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Re: Vaquero for hunting?
« Reply #8 on: February 18, 2009, 07:27:58 AM »
Maybe it is just me, but every gun I have ever owned has had to work for a living.  My shotguns all have been used in hunting. Same with my rifles.  I recently bought guns to use cowboy shooting.  They are going to work for their supper.

If I discover a gun isn't up to the intended task I simply get rid of it. Some years ago I had a Glock and a Mini-14 for personal protection.  No matter how much I practiced neither would ever shoot straight--the Glock because my hand is a little too small for the big Glock grip and the Mini-14 because it just couldn't shoot straight.  In my opinion merely being able to send bullets in the general direction of a target is unacceptable in a personal defense firearm.  Out they went.   

I am sure glad my Vaqueros worked out at the range.  If they hadn't they would be on the block. 

As to a Vaquero for hunting, if you are proficient with the gun and you know its and your limitations, why not.
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Offline Rangr44

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Re: Vaquero for hunting?
« Reply #9 on: February 18, 2009, 07:47:58 AM »
And, FWIW, handguns exactly like that Vaquero haved served very well, indeed, in law enforcement, home defense and CCW capacities for over 135 years.

I would have been ecstatic, to receive one - Even if I didn't already have one.

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Offline Bart Solo

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Re: Vaquero for hunting?
« Reply #10 on: February 19, 2009, 06:01:46 AM »
In terms of hunting with a Vaquero, a writer on another thread made the comment that he hunted with his Vaquero the same as he would with his bow.  If the target is within bow range he would feel pretty confident with his Vaquero.  That isn't bad advice for any handgun, even one with adjustable sights.  I am sure many handguns, including your Vaquero, are capable of aimed shots at relatively long distances, I am not so sure many handgun shooters are up to the task. 

To tell you the truth, I think hunting to bow distances is a real challenge and a lot more fun than taking 200 yards shots with a scoped rifle. 
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Offline DanChamberlain

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Re: Vaquero for hunting?
« Reply #11 on: February 21, 2009, 02:52:16 AM »
BRL

You'd honor your brother to hunt with his gun!  I hunt now with my Dad's knife and it's brought me great luck and satisfaction. 

No handgun does everything well.  So, on the days you hunt with the Vaquero, you have to modify your hunt to put yourself in situations where that gun will be supreme.  Maybe, you don't want to hunt the Vaquero from your stand where you can expect to watch 100 yard deer walk away coz you don't feel you can take them. 

My short pistols are my sneaking pistols!  Or, I use them when I know I'm going to nestle myself down in some really thick stuff on the edge of water or bedding areas. 

They aren't a "gun for all seasons," or situations.  But using it seems like a fitting thing, don't you think? 

 

If you note, the Vaquero on the bottom has a black sight dovetailed onto it.  It improves the sight picture immensely!  It also aids in dialing in a load.

It may become my go-to Illinois Whitetail gun this year.

Dan
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Offline BRL

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Re: Vaquero for hunting?
« Reply #12 on: February 22, 2009, 07:00:19 AM »
Very good point, Dan. Thanks for the post.
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Offline Hickok

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Re: Vaquero for hunting?
« Reply #13 on: February 22, 2009, 01:25:07 PM »
I know it is hard to believe in this "magnum era" but a Vaquero .45 Colt loaded with a 250 grain cast bullet to about 800-900 fps. will completely shoot through the shoulders of a whitetail at practical handgun ranges.

Hunt with your Vaquero. I hunt with mine!
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