Old Stainless Vaquerro, potential mods

[rickt300]

I got a good deal on this pistol, polished stainless with white grips. What I am thinking about doing is to bead blast the polished stainless finish and putting a taller front site on it. What I want it for mostly is a point and shoot gun to use on wounded feral hogs or hogs in snares, both can be testy at times. I will push a cast flat nosed bullet of around 260 grains to 1000 FPS.  This gun shoot 6 inches high at 25 yards for me and oddly even points a bit high. I think the thick grips are part of this though so anyone have a good idea on replacements? Will those from a Super Blackhawk fit? Is there anything special about this pistol that would make it unwise to alter?

[painted horse]

The only thing "special" about them is that Ruger doesn't make that model anymore. Check throat dimensions, most are tight. Install some Wolff (or similiar) springs in it and have fun. They are strong and durable.  I have a couple left (had 5 at one time) and won't sell these. Both are stainless, one a Bisley the other a standard grip. Both 4 5/8in.  I have kinda small hands so I went with a gunfighter style grip (they're narrower).  These work well for me. As far as bead blasting to eliminate the shine, simply personal preference, I like the shiney...I've been tempted to send the Bisley to Alpha Precision to have the S&W style adjustable blued sights installed on it. I think it would be a great mountain packer. 

[Hank08]

It's that heavy, slow bullet that makes it shoot high, shoot it faster or lighter and it'll shoot lower, otherwise you'll need a higher front sight.  The newer Ruger black grips are much thinner and checkered to give you a better grip which will also help you hold it down to shoot lower. They look good on stainless.
H08

[rickt300]

I picked up a set of the old wood grips for it and they fit me better but I havent shot it again yet. The shiny is ok but sure makes it hard to see the sights in full sunlight. That could be why it shoots high also. the 255 grain cast bullet at 900 fps is what I want to use in it and should work just fine on feral hogs in snares or that are wounded and need further convincing to go toward the light. As for adjustable sights, not on this gun. I want a working piece for up close and personal work and don't need any better sights than are on the gun though I may have to have a taller front sight put on it.

[Flash]

I picked up a set of the old wood grips for it and they fit me better but I havent shot it again yet. The shiny is ok but sure makes it hard to see the sights in full sunlight. That could be why it shoots high also. the 255 grain cast bullet at 900 fps is what I want to use in it and should work just fine on feral hogs in snares or that are wounded and need further convincing to go toward the light. As for adjustable sights, not on this gun. I want a working piece for up close and personal work and don't need any better sights than are on the gun though I may have to have a taller front sight put on it.

If you want to sell those white grips, pm me.

[rickt300]

I sold them at the show I picked up the wood grip panels at.

[gcrank1]

See if you can find some 220-230ish gr. bullets, the hog wont know the difference and you might not have to mess with sights. You might consider 'blacking' the front blade to see if it helps, or even serrating it, but for a point & pull you may not need to.

[rickt300]

I shot the pistol sunday with the wood grips on it and oddly the point of impact has dropped to right on top of the front sight! I also blackened the front sight and the rear notch area with flat brown paint and though ugly this may have had some effect on POI also. I am coming up on the 100 shot mark with this pistol and I am really starting to like it.

[inthebeech]

Just for fun before you modify, try a different (higher) hold on the pistol and get as much palm flesh "behind" the grip as is comfortable.  I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't experimented with the advice I found in some reliable old standard texts on handgun shooting (Askins, Skelton...) how much the POI changes with slight changes in gription.  But in addition to making changes, if you find success, remember those changes and practice to develop consistency.  The rifle shooters who argue the importance of consistency, have nothing on us handgunners.
Knowing what I know now I am certain that I sold handguns that I thought were inaccurate, but were very likely not.
Ed

[rickt300]

Anyone know if you can get stainless powder coated? How tough is powder coating?

[HAMMERHEAD]

Bowen custom and Clements custom each have some really neat front sights for Vaqueros that are replaceable and driftable left and right for elevation and windage adjustment. Not cheap, but really a neat design.
Don't know about powder coating on stainless.

[rickt300]

Well it's time to cast some bullets. Going to use Unique and LEE's WFN plain base bullet.

[greenrivers]

Unique and a 265 plain base bullet are a great combination in both of mine. I just got back from shooting one of them an hour ago, and my up the charge a bit though.

[rickt300]

I am also going to try some universal clays, though I am sure it won't have that greasy smoky residue we are all so fond of.

[greenrivers]

The universal clays was recommended to me on another post as being very good. I hate to change as the shelves are full of differant powders now. Let us know how well it works for you. It would be to bad to lose the "soot" effect!

[rickt300]

Or the smokey look!

[rickt300]

Taking her to the gunshop today to get the shiny blasted off, probably leave the grip frame as is.  I almost just went and bought another Vaquero in blue but I'm not sure the "medium" size frame on the new ones will handle the power level I plan on using. Maybe I should think more seriously on the matter of buying one just to see if I like the smaller frame size and grips. You just can't have too many 45's or Rugers.

[gcrank1]

Ive got the 50th .357 NMBH, and like the size; no shortage of power......IIRC that cartridge operates at high pressures than the 44s & 45s.. They are 'rated', even on the small frame, for factory pressure level loads, which isnt just 'cowboy level'.