Old Vaquero, what bullet?

[merkelerk]

I just bought my first handgun, an old model Vaquero. Being Canadian, I am still waiting for my ATT (authorization to transport), so I can take it home from the store which is a four hour drive for me. I will then wait for another ATT to take it to the gun club so I can actually fire this gun.

I intend to buy a couple of boxes of ammo, .45 colt, for this gun and then I will have some brass for reloading.
My question.....
What type and diameter bullet will I need to buy and what is a good powder to get me started?

Once I have reloaded a few boxes worth, I will start experimenting, but for now, how should I start? I have the latest Lyman manual and also the Lee manual.

I should mention that I have been reloading for my .223 for some time and have had great success with no problems (I rarely exceed starting loads).

[Ole Man Dan]

If you've got an 'Old Ruger' .45 you've got yourself a great gun.  I've got several and use them for everything from SASS shoots to handgun hunting.  I load mine with the Cast Performance 265 WFNGC behind Unique for hunting.  For SASS I shoot the 250 Oregon Trail hard cast behind Clays Powder.

My guns shoot dead on at 25 yds.  I could load them with heavier loads, but dead is dead and I like getting the job done with medium loads to moderate loads.

[smith85619]

if you will buy reloading manual it will list case length, case diameter, bullet diameter and even give you different options on powders, bullet weights, etc.  I recommend the Lyman #49 or whatever the latest one is.

[jimster]

I used .452 diameter cast bullets out of my older vaquero 45, either 250 or 255 gr for all around shooting pleasure.  Unique was and still is the old stand by for about anything so it's a good powder to have on hand.  After that and the experimenting starts,  your in luck, your Vaquero will take heavier bullets and slower powders should you decide you want more power.  They are strong revolvers and heavier than the new model Vaquero's they make now.  You have a great revolver that can do it all.   

[merkelerk]

Thanks for the replies.

Do I need to slug this gun to find the exact bullet diameter or can I just start out at .452 and see how it goes?

[Bart Solo]

An old model Vaquero in 45 Colt can be loaded to some pretty stout levels. The same loads as the Blackhawk in 45 Colt.  (The difference between the old model Vaquero and the Blackhawk is the Vaquero has fixed sights.) You should take a look at the Ruger only loads in the loading manual.  You can't run those loads through the smaller framed NM Vaquero.  The NM Vaquero's is in the same class as the Colt SAA and the various Colt clones.  I really think Ruger unnecessarily created confusion when they moved the name Vaquero from the larger, heavier old model designed for rough and ready outdoor carry to the smaller, lighter new model designed for CAS. 

[stubshaft]

Thanks for the replies.

Do I need to slug this gun to find the exact bullet diameter or can I just start out at .452 and see how it goes?

You should slug the chamber throats AND the bore.  I have found some of the Rugers have smaller chambers than bore diameter.  I usually send these out to have the chambers opened up.  Better to measure now and then you can order the proper sizer die.

[merkelerk]

Sounds like something I could do myself in my shop. Openning up the cylinders to match the chamber (and each other) by lapping on my lathe would be a pretty straight forward process. Changing the chamber would be a little more difficult, hopefully, that wont be required.

Is there something on the market for slugging, or do I just look for a lead fishing weight that comes close and just force it through?

[merkelerk]

I would immigrate to the U.S. in a heart beat if it were possible.
The cost and the paperwork/bureaucracy involved make it nearly impossible for Canadians to immigrate (without a professional/job related reason).

I have spent a lot of time in the U.S. over the past 40 years and there truly is No Greater Country On Earth.

[BlkHawk73]

  Supposedly the New Vaqueros have the correct sized throats unlike previous Vaquero (there is no OM Vaquero btw) and BH's.  I've not had any adverse accuracy with my .45 cal Bisleys, BH's and SBH though.  Will need to try different bullets, powders and weights to see what works best for you.   I'd sure shoot it first to see is the throats are a concern or not.

[Travis Morgan]

  Supposedly the New Vaqueros have the correct sized throats unlike previous Vaquero (there is no OM Vaquero btw) and BH's.  I've not had any adverse accuracy with my .45 cal Bisleys, BH's and SBH though.  Will need to try different bullets, powders and weights to see what works best for you.   I'd sure shoot it first to see is the throats are a concern or not.

Well, if they make a new one, then there must be an old one. Why in hell would they stamp the first one "Old Model"? What is it with people that know very little having to pick on others by ranting about semantics?

[Lloyd Smale]

Accuarcy can be hit and miss in the large framed ruger 45s. Ive owned a slue of them through the years. Most of them prefer heavier bullets and heavier loads to really shoot well. Most need the throats opened but thats a fairly cheap fix. If i was looking for one and wanted to shoot 250-275 grain bullets at slower speeds id look for one in 44 mag. They tend to be easier to get to shoot well at that level. Now before someone jumps down my throat ive had a couple that did fine at that level but it took a ton of load development to find the right combination to do it where my 44s seem to shoot about anything well.

[Travis Morgan]

All three of my .45 Colt Vaquero OLD MODELS shoot nice little cloverleafs with the same load. All are box stock, other than free spin pawls and trigger jobs; did the work myself.

[blhof]

Veral Smith sell a slugging kit that works really great, a soft lead slug with a stem that fits on your cleaning rod and push through.  Check him out in the cast bullet section, and if you ever want to cast your own, he makes molds to the exact specifications of the slog.