Author Topic: Range report, Vaquero (Read 773 times)

Dustee Miller · « **on:** November 14, 2005, 10:07:53 AM »

Well, I got out to the range today with my 3 3/4" older stye Vaquero (45 Colt) and shot a variety of loads thru it. I'd pretty much come to the conclusion that shot badly low and left. Then I decided that just maybe my technique needed a bit of work so I really concentrated on focusing on the front sight and things got better but I was still scattering bullets all over the 10" target at 25 yrds. Then it occured to me that shooting at a black target with black sights was not the brighted thing I'd ever done so I turned the target over and put a red dot on it. Things got better again but that gun does indeed shoot a bit low and to the left. So, next time out I'll take a file to the front sight to solve the elevation problem and probably just decide to live with the poor windage. Its not like I don't have other guns to shoot. I've also considered fire lapping the barrel (is there another way?). Oh, the loads were 1.) 185 gr. LSWC over 10.2 gr. of AA5, 2.) 240 gr. LSWC over 10.2 gr. of AA5, 3.) 240 gr. LSWC over 13.4 gr of 2400, and 4.) 240 gr. LSWC over 14.5 gr. of 2400. If anybody has any ideas on this matter I'd like to see your input.

sureshot2040 · « **Reply #1 on:** November 14, 2005, 12:12:57 PM »

if i were you i would try shooting bigger bullets
for some reason heavy bullets hit higher at short range
also you can turn the barrel just a hair to adjust your windage
put a piece of tape accross the top from the topstrap out to the barrel then with a razor blade cut it right where teh frame meets the barrel
use this tape to place a thin pencil line on as a reference point
drill a hole thru a short piece of 2x4 wood length wise then split it so you have half a hole on each piece of wood
use that to hold the barrel in a vise
with the cylinder out of the gun take a 3 to 4 foot piece of 2x4 and insert it in the cylinder frame and turn the barrel abt half the width of the pencil mark
turn it in the direction like you were tightening the barrel into the frame
remember just a little goes a long ways
my vaquero was hitting abt two inches to the left at 25 yards and half the pencil width put it straight on
btw you need to remove the ejector rod housing before doing this
you will also have to trim the long piece of 2x4 to make it fit into the cylinder frame
hope this helps
sureshot

Prof. Fuller Bullspit · « **Reply #2 on:** November 14, 2005, 12:29:17 PM »

I have a pair of short barreled birdshead Vaqueros. They shot low and left for me too until I paid more careful attention to my trigger technique.

I found I was pushing the gun down and left when I was pressing the trigger. By putting less of my trigger finger on the trigger I was able to correct this and now the guns hit dead on for me.

Glanceblamm · « **Reply #3 on:** November 14, 2005, 03:28:02 PM »

Quote

They shot low and left for me too until I paid more careful attention to my trigger technique

Dusty
This was my first thought although I do respect your ability's via your many post with plenty of (hands on) experience.
Still, I might shoot a couple cylinders full at the target then leave the cylinder empty for the third loading & see what happens to the barrel when the trigger breaks.

Steve P · « **Reply #4 on:** November 14, 2005, 03:56:30 PM »

I went with .454 sized bullets and pushed them a little faster. My gun went from shooting low and left to shooting just a little high of center. Last time out, just for fun, I was shooting at an empty 20 guage cardboard shell box. Emptied the cylinder 3 times. Moved or hit it every shot with 6 o'clock hold. Went from 25 yards to about 75 yards as it flipped and flew.

Make sure you mic your cylinder to make sure the chamber openings are the same and not shaving lead as the bullets leave the cylinder.

Steve

Dustee Miller · « **Reply #5 on:** November 14, 2005, 09:48:31 PM »

Hey guys, good input, I appreciate that very much.

Dana C · « **Reply #6 on:** November 20, 2005, 03:07:09 PM »

For a VERY short time I shot NRA slow fire with a S&W J frame .38Special. I read about an exercise that truly helps with straight trigger pull and the improvement in moving consistently "left" shots to the center.

Cut a dowl to the same length as your pistol measuring from the trigger to the but where the web of your hand would rest. Practice squezzing the dowl with your trigger finger with a straight back motion. When you start almost anyone will see that they naturally squeeze with a lateral motion in their finger which in turn moves the point of aim. Do the dowel squeeze hundreds of times and I 100% guarantee that your shooting will improve.
This is an exercise done by Olympic slow fire shooters and it works!

hpdrifter · « **Reply #7 on:** November 20, 2005, 05:27:38 PM »

if you really wanna see what the barrel is doing upon pulling the trigger, put 3 cartridges in the cylinder alternately. One in, skip one, one in......

Get ready to shoot, open the gate and turn, not spin, the cylinder blindly. You won't know if you are gonna touch off an a live round or a empty cylinder. It'll tell on ya bad.

Don't just cock and aim again, cause you know what's gonna happen next. Open the gate, turn the cylinder a bit, and line up and pull the trigger again.

44 Man · « **Reply #8 on:** November 21, 2005, 01:34:59 PM »

You didn't say if that was a 'birds head' grip or not. Most of the 3 3/4" barrel models are. I find those grips are quite thick and that causes me to slide my hand around to the right a little. That will also cause the gun to shoot left. As for shooting low, that's an easy fix. With a file or with different loads. You will find heavier bullets will hit higher than lighter bullets. Enjoy. 44 Man