ruger vaqero in .45lc or 44mag?

[blakec]

hey all
im new to this forum so id like to say first off HI, second you guys are great . ive been visiting this site for a bit and i think ya'll are great.
    so i want to buy a ruger vaqero with a 7.5 inch barrel but im not shure as to the caliber , which would be better a better choice for pig and mabe deer aswell as just having fun at the range .45 long colt , or .44 magnum. also how heavy of a load in .45lc can the ruger take? any help will be greatly appreciated
           Blake

[Lloyd Smale]

the .45s can take alot. Im scared to give you some of my load data. If you reload you can do a little more with the .45 but if you need factory ammo definately go with the .44 in all reality no animal would ever know the difference between being hit by a 300 grain .44 and a 300 grain .45 bullet. Also in my experience the ruger .44s tend to be a little more accurate out of the box. .45s sometimes need a little throating work which isnt expensive to do.

[Castaway]

If you handload, the 45 Colt is the way to go.  More bullet, faster and with less pressure than the 44; otherwise, go with the 44.  You can shoot 44 specials for more relaxed sessions at the range.  I'm curioius, if you're going to hunt with the Vaquero you'll be limited to fixed sights.  Not the best solution for shootinng plinker loads then going full bore wiith hunting loads.  The Blackhawk is the same pistol but you can adjust your sights to accomodate the strike of the bullet for different velocities and weights of bullet.

[DzrtRat]

Well, I was faced with the same decision as you a few months back.  I bought a 4 5/8" stainless Vaquero in .45 Colt and haven't regretted it.  In fact, now I own two, one with 4 5/8" and one with 5 1/2" barrel.

I handload though, and if you don't then there's a more limited supply of heavy hunting loads for the .45 Colt (and they're more expensive) than for the .44 mag.  I've shot both though, and the .45 sure seems to kick a lot less (even with very heavy loads).

I chose the Vaquero because I like the fixed sights.  It's a little harder to sight in, but once you're there for your hunting load, it stays there.  I can compensate for plinking, and it's only slightly.

FWIW
~Rat

[blakec]

thanks for you input castaway and loyd smale, i think i will go with the .45  then mabe for CHRISTmas the .44,  also castaway in regard to the diffrent loads for  plinking and hunting i was thinkin mabe find a nice happy medium with my loads as i do like to hand load and i would just use  this load for both unless one of my nephews were going to shoot it (in that case i would use a light load as the boys are only 9 and 10 and it would be at targets not very far away).  thanks again you guys answered my questions very fast
       blake