Vaquero - bad accuracy

[Sverre A.]

I have a Vaquero, 5,5" in 45 LC.  I have tried different bullets 250-350 gr., but I can`t say that I am satisfied with the accuracy.  The best average group is 2,16"/30 yds.  I suggest that I could expect accuracy from the Vac - better than that.  Or am I wrong?

[KN]

The first thing you need to do is check the cylinder throats to see it they are undersized. That seems to be a common problem with the 45 colt rugers.   KN

[Lloyd Smale]

is that 2 inch or 16 inch if its two thats not bad accuaracy for an out of the box gun if its 16inch sell it as there is probably no hope for it.

[Sverre A.]

It`s 2.

[oso45-70]

Sverre A
I would say if you are getting 2" groups at thirty yards you are doing darn good. The vaquero was not intended to be a target gun to start with, But like i said 2" groups is plenty good in my book. Good luck.....Joe.........

[Prof. Fuller Bullspit]

Two inches at 30 yards is great! Are the groups at point of aim?

Wait! No! This gun is obviously sub-standard! Want to sell this junk cheap?

 :wink:

[Lloyd Smale]

like was said two in at 25 is real good accuracy in a open sighted handgun. Contrary to what you see wrote in magazines and post on the forums its a rare out of the  box handgun that does much better. Ive got quite a few handguns and out of all my factory guns very few do better then 2inch and even customs that cost big $ very few will do one inch without alot of load developement.

[Sverre A.]

The group which gives 2,16 inch in average is a cowboyload.  When I try to make huntingloads for it - the best is 2,75 in average (300 gr. hard cast/1200 fps).  I also have a Blackhawk (45) and a SRH (454), and those have not any problems to give me 1,3 groups with hunting loads at 30 yds.  My SRH in .44 Mag. - also give groups better than the Vaq (I should believe that the factory make the barrels out of the same type of materials?).
The groups I am talking about - are 3 shotgroups.

[Sverre A.]

<Two inches at 30 yards is great! Are the groups at point of aim?

When I got it - it shot 4" to left.

[Tom C.]

The routine thing I do to the Vaqueros and Blackhawks to improve accuracy are:

replace cylinder base pin with a Belt Mountain base pin. It tightens things.

check the barrel forcing cone for concentricity. If it isn't concentric, or is too shallow, recut with an 11 degree Brownell cutter

check the cylinder throats. They are often uneven and undersized. If you plan on doing this a lot, get the reamer from Brownell's. If not, send it to the throatdoctor and he will do it for a modest fee.

That pretty well covers it. Additional things to consider: replace springs with a Brownell spring kit, smooth the action internally, and shoot it a lot to break it in.

[oso45-70]

Sverre A.
The vaquero shooting to the left is not that uncommon and it can be fixed real easy. I don't know if you have the tools to do it with or not, You can rotate the barrel a very small amount and cure your problem. I have done it to several vaqueros and its a snap. If you are having a problem
with your elevation, this can be overcome with a change of bullet weight.
I'm sure you already aware of this but just in case. I shoot 300 gr.s in my vaqueros and it hits poa at 25 yd.s Good luck and stay safe......Joe........

[Sverre A.]

I measured the cylinder throat and the barrel, and found out that I should try to size down the bullet (325 gr) with 0,000788".  N110 with 19 and 20 gr. gave 1,4" at 27 yds. (5-shots groups).