45 LC Bullet Choice

[sanberdoo23]

Hi Veral,

I recently purchased one of the new smaller sized Ruger Vagueros.  It is roughly the size of a single action Colt.  I know this smalller version was not built as stoutly as my Bisley, and imagine I will have to keep the velocity around 800-850 fps.  I am a real fan of your wfn and have used it in both the 44mag and the 45lc, but in heavier weights.  Would a wfn around 260-280 work?  The handgun will not be carried as a hunting tool, but rather as a possible deterrent to a pack of dogs, mountain lion and so forth.  If not the wfn, then what about your version of the Keith?   Any other suggestions?

Best wishes,

Jerry Meyers 

[Veral]

  Get the WFN in 260 gr and you'll be very happy.  I haven't handled one of these little Rugers, but can't imagine it being so weak that velocities are limited to 850 fps.   I used my little Charter arms bull dog 44 special quite extensively with 280 gr WFN at 1100 fps, with no damage.  I hope I'm not wrong but so far, I have considered Ruger and rugged as interchangable words, if you know what I mean.  Yet if the gun is light in weight recoil isn't nice with stout loads, and they aren't needed with the uses you have named.

[Graybeard]

The new smaller Vaqueros are generally considered best held to the old Colt SAA levels as I understand it. They ARE NOT the same gun as the stronger more widely known Ruger single action guns and MUST NOT be used with Ruger level loads.

[Foggy]

Veral
 Would that WFN 260GR. work in my 45Colt Winchester trapper. I'am looking for one mold that will servicee both  my Ruger Black hawk and My Winchester. I would like to run about 1200fps in the handgun, the rifle will take care of itself from there

Foggy

[Veral]

It will shoot great in the rifle using your Revolver loads, but will probably not feel smoothly, as the wide nose will hang up in many rifles.  An LFN of the same weight, with .450 nose will feed smoothly in the rifle and kill superbly at the 1200 fps revolver speeds.  However, optimum kill speed would be about 1350 fps with the smaller meplat of the LFN   Accuracy will be about the same as the WFN.  Velocity from the rifle will probably be at least 150 fps faster than from the revolver.  This when using 296 or H110 or similar burning speed powder.  The rifle will not only 'take care of itself from there', it will take care of about anything you shoot it at!

  If you want to stick with the 1200 fps speed in your revolver, stay with the WFN, and seat it deeper for the Rifle.  Ask for a crimp forward of the bearing surface so you can use it seated deeper in the rifle, then develop special loads for the rifle, which give optimum speed and accuracy.  You'll know which is which at a glance, and in a pinch can shoot them interchangably.