Author Topic: Ruger Vaquaro .45LC (Read 2728 times)

Two Bears · « **on:** December 20, 2010, 09:44:07 PM »

What is a good max load for the vaquaro? can a load be worked up for deer or can factory loads do the job at 40 yards or less? (hunting is not why I got the revolver but just in case).

Just picked one up with 5.5 blued with case colored frame

Two Bears · « **Reply #1 on:** December 20, 2010, 09:45:11 PM »

Quote from: Two Bears on December 20, 2010, 09:44:07 PM

What is a good max load for the vaquaro? can a load be worked up for deer or can factory loads do the job at 40 yards or less? (hunting is not why I got the revolver but just in case).

Can the vaquaro handle hotter loads? what are the max FPS I should be looking at?

Just picked one up with 5.5 blued with case colored frame

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #2 on:** December 21, 2010, 01:23:19 AM »

factory level colt loads will do alot of killing if a proper bullet is used. It all depends on whether you have an old large framed gun or one of the new smaller framed guns. The newer guns shouldnt be loaded with loads stouter then colt level loads.

MePlat · « **Reply #3 on:** December 21, 2010, 02:57:42 AM »

This comes up quite a bit.
If it is a New Vaquero (small frame).
My answer is call John Linebaugh and ask him. He is considered the 45 Colt guru by many.
Ask him what he shoots in a Colt SAA made in 1903 and a New Vaquero stainless he has..
Be ready to be surprized.
I won't divulge the load on here as Mr Smale doesn't like some loads to be given out.
As Andy told Aunt Bea, "just call the man" and get back to us with what he said.
One doesn't have to use Linebaughs load but it is nice to know about it.
On private messaging if need be to keep Mr. Smale happy.
But if it is a large frame Vaquero any Blackhawk load will be okay.

Two Bears · « **Reply #4 on:** December 21, 2010, 06:03:49 AM »

I don't know how new it is but suspect that it is newer as it has a set of keys to lock the trigger out when you take the grips off and use the key to turn the lock.

Two Bears · « **Reply #5 on:** December 21, 2010, 06:06:16 AM »

How do I tell if it is a small frame or large frame Vaquaro?

MePlat · « **Reply #6 on:** December 21, 2010, 06:41:46 AM »

The new vaquero says new vaquero on the frame under the cylinder. With the lock it is the new vaquero. I have one.

Two Bears · « **Reply #7 on:** December 21, 2010, 06:44:43 AM »

I just saw that, so I will stick with standard rounds with it. Just have to buy a redhawk for heavier loads

MePlat · « **Reply #8 on:** December 21, 2010, 06:57:43 AM »

If you so desire stick with standard pressure ammo You will be safe gioing up. That is the reason I suggested you call John Linebaugh.
Linebaugh is the 45 guru so to speak and I trust him.
He will not tell you anything that will bring harm to you.

Frank V · « **Reply #9 on:** December 21, 2010, 09:30:44 PM »

Two Bears, Please buy a good loading manual & follow it. It will save you a lot of grief & possibly a ruined gun & injury. I'm not trying to be smart, but to trust somone els's loads is kind of risky.
Frank

MePlat · « **Reply #10 on:** December 22, 2010, 01:26:24 AM »

Yes sir buddy. Get a reloading book. I have several. Cannot go wrong with more than one. But, explain this to me. Ruger says that only standard pressure loads for the New Vaquero. BUT, they have made New Vaqueros for Davidsons with and extra 45 ACP cylinder that the ammo rating goes up to 21000 psi.
I guess that the 45 ACP cylinder is made of some magical steel that will hold the pressure. Yeah buddy.
I guess that the 21000 psi in a 45 ACP is different than running the 45 Colt to 21000 psi.
5143-RUG Brand Ruger
Type Revolver
Model New Vaquero Convertible Cylinder
Caliber 45LC|45AP
Finish Blue
# Avail 0
Video (No Video)
This on rugers website: KNV-44X-C 5144 .45 Colt
.45 ACP 4.62" 5.62" Stainless Black Checkered 6 Davidson's
Now USFA makes the Colt clone of the SAA the same way in their selected models . Are the USFA revolvers stronger than the Ruger?
Makes no sense to me. But what do I know?
Now I am ready for the explanations. Anyone care to elaborate?

Frank V · « **Reply #11 on:** December 22, 2010, 05:24:38 AM »

When a person starts using a .45 Colt, it won't be long before they realise just how effective they are at standard velocitys. A .454 dia 255gr SWC @ 830fps is effective beyond all paper ballistics. It will penitrate more than you would supect. It also won't loosen your gun, teeth, elbow joints, hands & fingers. What it will do is to be effective, Accurate, & FUN!
Good shooting.
Frank

gcrank1 · « **Reply #12 on:** December 22, 2010, 06:51:13 AM »

IMHO, the factory level loads, as factory or handloaded equiv., will bag a big WI Whitetail buck within 50yds (and probably more), IF, you put the bullet where the critter lives. In my old huntin' ground 50yd. was a long shot, and I know it well. At that range twigs, and even branches 'dissappear' as you concentrate on the sights and deer, and the deer is lookin' pretty small compared to the front blade.
As 'Harry' said,"a man's got to know his limitations". If you dont like the shot, dont take it.

MePlat · « **Reply #13 on:** December 22, 2010, 08:19:35 AM »

If one will look at the second post of Two Bears one will see where he inserted: "Can the vaquaro handle hotter loads? what are the max FPS I should be looking at?"
Now we know that an 800-900 fps load will do in all but the biggest and most dangerous (even they will die eventually) but that question was basically ignored.
I think my point was a good point about the attitude of sticking to just 14000 psi loads in the New Vaquero.
Now I know what Ruger says but it looks like they shot themselves in the foot with chambering a second cylinder in 45 ACP that runs to a tune of 21000 psi
Does anyone get the point?

gcrank1 · « **Reply #14 on:** December 22, 2010, 08:36:30 AM »

Well, yeah........
The OP was the point, wasnt it? Everything else is extraneous, as interesting as it is in a dialogue.

MePlat · « **Reply #15 on:** December 22, 2010, 08:54:21 AM »

If his first post was the sole point why did he make the second with the question about: "Can the vaquaro handle hotter loads? what are the max FPS I should be looking at?"
Anyone can take something in part and call it a whole but is it. A half is a whole of a half but if one is talking about a half of one then that is not the whole. One is the whole.
So he made his whole post in the second post not the first. Why, because he left out the: "Can the vaquaro handle hotter loads? what are the max FPS I should be looking at?" part.
Then the second post can assumedly be considered the whole since he hasen't modified the second since he posted it.

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #16 on:** December 23, 2010, 12:55:27 AM »

no doubt the ruger will take more then the colt. thats a given. Problem is if a guy recomends a load to someone that is actually about a book load he has no control of what a guy will do with it. How many handloaders do you know that have the attitude that all loads given to him are on the light side and another grain of powder is allways better. I have pushed these rugers to limits i wont post. I also have a montatdo with a bulged cylinder sitting in the safe so i do know that you can go to far. Bottom line is you gain very little in effectiveness in the field by pushing one another 100 fps and its just not worth risking a gun or getting hurt. I found out the hard way what there capable of and what there not. Would i again load one to levels hotter then a colt. Probably but id do it with alot of precausions now. I know some mistakes a made and wont repeat them. ITs not just a matter of pressures. ALot of it has to do with pressure curves and burning rates of the powders your using. A guy has to be knowlegable enough to insure that peak pressures arent being created till the bullet is half way down the barrel. John Linebaugh understands things like that buy 90 percent of handloaders dont have a clue. Elmer kieth blew up guns, stretched frames and bulged cylinders doing things like that. Im sure John has goofed up a couple guns in his days too experimenting. No problem for someone like him as he can just make a replacement. Ive got a gun i have to do some fancy explaining to ruger about now and bottom line is it just wasnt worth it. If you insist on hotrodding one id do as metplat recomends and look to someone like John who has been there and done that and knows what works rather then taking a shot in the dark.

crash87 · « **Reply #17 on:** December 31, 2010, 05:56:05 AM »

I'm going to post to the 1st part of his question only, What is a good max load for the vaquaro? can a load be worked up for deer or can factory loads do the job at 40 yards or less? 44 Man has the answers, by the way. I spent a lot of time, powder and lead working up loads for my Berreta Stampede 45 Colt, a revolver, "I" do not put into the same class as a new Vaquero. Using 44 Man's and yes, Scovills data, a load can be worked up for Deer, or, again, Yes, factory loads will do the job. In fact if you reload why would you want to use factory ammo in the 1st place? Really no fun in that at all. Besides working up loads and shooting your gun will give you something a lot of are lacking, practice, which includes then, knowing your firearm intimatley.
Don't think it to death, ANYTHING in the 800-1000fps range will stop more than anyone thinks @ 40 yds or beyond. Oh, one more thing, Get a reputable loading manual, don't be bothering John, besides from what I've read here, your questions, all of them, have been answered.
MePlat, although not any part of Two Bears post, If I may,
Now USFA makes the Colt clone of the SAA the same way in their selected models . Are the USFA revolvers stronger than the Ruger?
Makes no sense to me. But what do I know?
Now I am ready for the explanations. Anyone care to elaborate?No explanations or elaborations from me, as I really don't want to give any, nor do I really care

There alot of things in the firearms world that don't make sense, use what works for you, but, if you want to raise "pressures" in your guns go ahead, remember though, you might end up with one, just like Lloyd has in his safe. In fact post your findings here, as i am quite interested in what the outcome will be. By the way Scovill's book is a good read, if, you don't already have it, it just may offer what you seek. CRASH87

MePlat · « **Reply #18 on:** December 31, 2010, 07:01:13 AM »

CRASH87:
"Now USFA makes the Colt clone of the SAA the same way in their selected models . Are the USFA revolvers stronger than the Ruger?"
Yes it does make sense. "the same way" means that USFA offers the Colt clone with the 45 ACP as Ruger does. If you will investigate the USFA website you will see where they offer 45 ACP cylinders for the USFA revolvers. Now if a Colt clone will stand 21000 psi why won't a Ruger New Vaquero?
Does it make sense now?
Everyone has a standard answer to the situation but no one wants to answer how the New Vaquero will take the 45 ACP but at the same time not take the same pressure in 45 Colt.
I am still all ears and eyes if someone would like to explain it.
Now who wants to try to explain it without the using the same "dancing around" that politicians do when asked a question.
Now we all know a New Vaquero will last longer at 14000 psi than 21000 psi and also will last longer at 10000 psi than 14000 psi. so on and so forth etc. etc. etc..............
PS: "MePlat, although not any part of Two Bears post, If I may,"
Yes you may but this addresses his second post asking if the New Vaquero can handle the hotter loads. Did you not read his second post?

???Then we have those that say hotter loads are not safe but I bring up the FACT that Ruger chambers an extra cylinder for the New Vaquero in 45 ACP that runs higher pressure than the 45 Colt.
Also USFA chamber the Colt clone the same way.
Now what does one say about the strength of the New Vaquero.

Tallwalker · « **Reply #19 on:** December 31, 2010, 09:26:44 AM »

Although Ruger has offered .45ACP cylinders with both the regular Blackhawk, and the older (Blackhawk frame, and cylinder) I'm not sure it has offered that option with the "New Vaquero". I think that Brian Pearce did an article on the 45 Colt in which he stated that a newer Peacemaker could be safely loaded to 15,000 - 19,000 PSI, and he gave loads in that range. They certainly are a step up from factory 14,000 PSI loads, and I expect that the New Vaquero would also handle them well. The "Handloader" issue might have been 217, or 218.

MePlat · « **Reply #20 on:** December 31, 2010, 11:01:18 AM »

TALLWALKER"
I copied and pasted the info from Rugers Site.
What else can a person do?
Here it is again: KNV-44X-C 5144 .45 Colt
.45 ACP 4.62" 5.62" Stainless Black Checkered 6 Davidson's
If you will go to Rugers site you will see it listed under the Vaquero.
New Vaquero even.
Still no one will explain it to me.

crash87 · « **Reply #21 on:** December 31, 2010, 12:44:29 PM »

Again there are alot of things in the firearms world that simply don't make sense. Why dwell on things you (and apparently everyone else) dont understand? Not to hijack
Two Bears post any further, but try this for the answers you seek.
Post the question in and by itself on GBO, If the answers you get don't satisfy you, post on another site.
OR,
take your own advise, Make a call, and NO I don't mean to John L, leave the man to his craft. I mean CALL RUGER and ASK THEM!!!!

Please don't leave us out on the answers and explanations, post here 1st. It will be just one more of those shooting world mysteries solved, Once and for all.
BTW I'm not dancing around like a politicion, I don't know the answer either, but again I really don't care

MePlat · « **Reply #22 on:** December 31, 2010, 01:00:52 PM »

There is no use to call Ruger as they have a standard answer and I don't like to get jerked around by a gun company. After my last episode with then I don't know whether they can actually be trusted to really know.
John Linebaugh is a gentleman of the highest order. I have talked with him on the New Vaquero but it was him doing the call back. Hopefully when he was kicked back and not working on someones gun.
I guess we will just use the standard belief and will load the New Vaquero to not over 14000 psi and then everything will be safe.
I'm glad that is settled. I was all to pieces over it.

Tallwalker · « **Reply #23 on:** January 02, 2011, 10:06:02 AM »

Quote from: MePlat on December 31, 2010, 11:01:18 AM

TALLWALKER"
I copied and pasted the info from Rugers Site.
What else can a person do?
Here it is again: KNV-44X-C 5144 .45 Colt
.45 ACP 4.62" 5.62" Stainless Black Checkered 6 Davidson's
If you will go to Rugers site you will see it listed under the Vaquero.
New Vaquero even.
Still no one will explain it to me.

Well, you are absolutely right. I hadn't seen the Davidson's exclusive .45 ACP New Vaquero's. You can bet that those guns are proofed with .45 ACP proof loads. Based on that I would alslo say that you are good with 15,000 - 19,000 PSI working loads in that gun.