Vaquero sights

[daddywpb]

I have a new Ruger Vaquero that shoots 6" - 8" low with EVERY load that I've tried. Is there anything I can do to the sights so it will shoot to point of aim? Thanks.

[Graybeard]

What sights? Those things don't have sights just sight as in front sight and a little groove at the rear. Since you need to raise the point of impact you'd need to raise the rear sight IF it had one. You do just the opposite to the front sight to get the same effect. That means you need to LOWER the front sight to raise POI. To do that you file it down VERY CAREFULLY and ONLY after you've settled on the load you plan to use. DO NOT do it until you have selected the load you are gonna stay with as you can only do this once. After the metal is gone it's gone there is no going back.

[daddywpb]

Thank you. I have a load in mind, so I'll take a file with me to the range next time.

[Graybeard]

Go VERY VERY SLOW with that file.

[daddywpb]

Will do! Thanks GB.

[Glanceblamm]

I have a new Ruger Vaquero that shoots 6" - 8" low with EVERY load that I've tried.

It sounds like you have the bases covered but I will bring up my experience with the Vaquero anyway. It is a .45 Colt that I have only owned it for five years and in those early day's
I figured that a 185gr would be great for plinking. They shot well enough 1.3" six shot group @ an honest 30yds (25yds seems to be kind of "in your face" to me) but were hittling a good 7" low. I pushed the bullet weights up and even a 240gr was a little marginal and would still print a little low...It really started to shine though with a 250gr jacketed bullet or a 265gr hard cast. The 300gr bullets also do very well but were a bit high and some tinkering with the powders and charge weights quickly corrected this.

That file work is quite sobering to me What you might try is to go out and shoot a couple cylinders full of live ammo then shoot again with the gun empty to make sure that you are not jerking or twitching your wrist.

[LONGTOM]

Like GB said "GO SLOW ONCE IT"S GONE IT"S GONE".
Don't know what you intend to use it for,IE: light target shooting or heavy hunting loads.
If it is for heavy hunting that leave the sights alone until you try some in that category.
Experience will teach you that the heavier the load the higher it will shoot.
In other words the heavier the bullet and powder load the gun will recoil upwards and hence raise your point of impact.
Lighter loads-less recoil so bullets hit lower.
Please decide what you want to do with your loads before you start filing!
I always thought that a set of adjustable sights on a VAQUERO would be nice from a shooters position but it would take away the classic look on the old single action of yesteryear.


LONGTOM

[crash87]

There is one more option, lets call it an extreme option, but once done you'll wonder why the factories won't do it. Have a dovetail cut into the barrel and a sight installed. I did this with my Bisley vaquero and it is sweet. I also had an extra sight made in case I wanted (I did) to shoot bullets of a different weight. 250gr lfn and 300 wfn. The down side is, it will require the services of a 'smith, which means it might be gone for a while and it does take a few $$$. But you now have windage adjustability and the ability to change front sights for different loads and just in case you don't go SLOOOOOOOW with that file. Good luck and good shootin' CRASH87

[gunnut69]

Another solution is to cut horizontal grooves in the rear of the front sight. Thses can be filled with a died epoxy material, inlaid metal or plastic material. These bars can be used to estimate the hold up (amount of front sight exposed) to place the bullet where you wish it. this is not a new idea, Elmer Keith used a similar system to assist with long range pistol shooting. The permanent height changes can be corrected but this is a difficult process.