Vaquero

[JW/OK]

Picked up a Vaquero in 45 Colt Saturday, blue with case hardened frame, 5 1/2" barrel, Bisley buffalo horn grips. All for about $150 less than everybody was trying to get for a New Vaquero. This thing is a hoot to shoot...shoots to point of aim to boot. I think I like the added weight over the New Vaquero.

[Glanceblamm]

Ditto on the fun and the accuracy. Does not really matter if I shoot the bargin brand cast RNFP or the higher quality LBT types ahead of Unique, Bluedot, 2400, or 296. It likes them all providing that they are in the 250 gr to 265 gr weights. The XTP bullets also really shine and I used these as a "control" for the cast stuff. The 300 gr bullets shoot well with a little powder management in the case while on the opposite end, the likes of a 185 gr .4515 Sierra grouped excellent but was around 7" low @ 30 yds which is normal for this fixed sight.

Mine has taken four deer to date. I did not file notches in the grip My field carry is in one of the soft nylon holsters and I use a quality leather cross draw rig for shooting in general.

[Frank V]

Congratulations you have gotten a great gun. It'll serve you well, enjoy it.
Frank

[alacharger]

I have three sets of matched "old" Vaqueros...one set of blued and two sets of stainless.  I also have two matched sets of the New Vaqueros. 

I would be hard pressed to say which ones I enjoy more, but since my favorite caliber is .44-40, and they don't make that in the New Vaquero, my choice is slanted towards that pair!

[1911crazy]

Congrats, I just picked up an older Vaquero too in 45 long colt yesterday too.  Its in polished stainless and has a 7 1/2" barrel which is no longer offered with he longer barrel.  It came with the shipping box along with the orginal ruger box too. Its in like new condition and shot very little if shot at all.  Its still tight like it was still new.  I paid only $329 for it and i think i did ok.  With the 7 1/2" barrel in this condition i'm not sure what its worth. I see them for much higher on the net.  CZY

[DakotaElkSlayer]

I paid only $329 for it and i think i did ok.  With the 7 1/2" barrel in this condition i'm not sure what its worth. I see them for much higher on the net.  CZY

  GREAT!!!!!  If you are going to shoot cast bullets, you might want to think about reaming the cylinder throats...  Mine were around .450 if I remember correctly?  Cylindersmith reamed them out to a .4525 and now they shoot cast bullets great and without the leading in the cylinder. 
  Great buy, but even a great revolver!

Jim

[ratdog]

you will love your rugers you have great taste the 45 is my favorite will kill any thing im interested in killing i like punching paper too. have a great week end

[Eltweed]

Alacharger,  How is the accuracy of you 44-40 Vaqueros?  I have read that some Ruger 44-40 Vaqueros had issues with the size of the throats that caused them to be somewhat inaccurate.  Have you found this to be the case with your revolvers?  I recently picked up one with a SN of 55-52xxx and wonder whether I will have problems with it.  I have several others in 45 Colt and 44 Magnum that shoot quite well.

[Lloyd Smale]

i have and have had a pile of vaqueros both old and new and have to say i probably prefer the old ones. Maybe because ive just shot them more but nothing feels better in my had then a 4 5/8s bisley vaquero. Make mine a 44mag please.

[1911crazy]

I heard that the ruger vaquero in 45 long colt doesn't like the hotter 45 long colt new ammo.  I stayed away from the hoter Cor-Bon hunter ammo and got the hornady cow boy leadcast ammo and the speer gold 250gr JHP's.  I just purchased the 45 long colt carbide dies and 500rds og the 250gr leadcast bullets with 500rds of new brass on the way too.

I figure if the vaquero can't handle the hotter new ammo i'd buy a ruger blackhawk in 45 long colt w/ 7 1/2'' barrel to maybe hunt with.   CZY

[crab cake]

I've got two bisley vaqueros and go back and forth between wishing I had adjustable sights and being glad I dont.

[flatgate]

I heard that the ruger vaquero in 45 long colt doesn't like the hotter 45 long colt new ammo.

Well, if the included image is your particular Vaquero then you will have ZERO troubles shooting the +P loads, i.e. the higher pressure loadings that are generally called "Ruger Only".
The New Vaquero is a smaller framed revolver and should be fired with standard .45 Colt loads.

I posted this info in the Ruger Revolver section, as well.

flatgate

[Eltweed]

I tried out my new-to-me old Vaquero in 44-40 with some of my 200 grain reloads and was very pleased with the accuracy.  It seems to be no different from that of the other Vaqueros I shoot.  I am pleased.