Ruger New Vaquero opinions + .45Colt or .357?

[Brian894X4]

I was looking maybe getting a New Vaquero in either .45 Colt or .357. Mainly for plinking and nolstalgia. Possibly for carry in the woods too occasionally.

The prices I've been quoted for one is more in the price range I was looking at. Are those good guns?

Also, which caliber is better? .45 colt or .357. I figured with the .357 ammo would be much cheaper and easier to find, but if I was ever to come up against a bear, I'd probably want the .45 Colt.

I've never shot .45 colt before, does it kick significantly more and is the ammo really that much more expensive?

Thanks for any advise.

[CanyonMan]

I've been shooting both of those calibers in ruger six guns for over 30+ years. The "original Ruger Vaquero," which i pack with me on the ranch, is much stronger, and will take a much greater loadings, than the "new" Vaquero.

The new Vaquero, (NV), is a very handsome gun IMO, but i am really partial to six shooters, it has a good balance, and lines, and shoots well. BUT, it will or i should say, "should" only be loaded to 1,000/1050 fps. MAX. It is NOT built to take the heavy loads of the Old style Vaquero.

The NV, design was all centered around the 'cowboy action shooting craze,' and not for the hunter.

Owning one, the NV, is great, and fun, but if one is serious about hunting, or protecting his backside with 'this particular pistol,' (vaquero), then i would 'no doubt' stay with the old style Vaquero, for heaverier loads.

Which is best you ask? 357/45LC... Well, that depends on what you want it for. If you are trying to cover you backside in the woods, (with a vaquero), i would without thought, grab the 45LC, This round is capable of taking the largest game out there, "and i did not get that out of a book!" ;)

With the proper loads, it will even take cape buffalo.. " Fact"

The recoil, you ask about, is more pleasant, IMO, than the same gun in 357mag, and less deafning to the ears. It is not a harsh "BAM," to the hand, but more of a thump. Suggestion, if you are going to get a Vaquero to goof off with, and play cowboy, the NV will be all you need. If you want one that will 'do it all,' get the old style Vaquero, try for a 5 1/2" barrel, and between the two calibers you ask about, i'd go with the 45LC. You won't be sorry, i believe you will truly be glad you went that route, but of course, the descion is all yours Hoss... ;)


CanyonMan

[SDGlock23]

+1 on .45 Colt.

Like CanyonMan said, get a stronger Vaquero, not a New model. What about the Blackhawk? Idenitical except for adjustable sights and no bright finishes.

[Brian894X4]

Thanks much for the insights. I really appreciate it.

What about the Blackhawk in .44 mag? I was thinking along that route as well. I've only shot a .44 mag a few times years ago, and if I recall correctly, it was a real handful. How do the Blackhawks feel in something like 4-5/8 or 5.5 inch barrels?

[CanyonMan]

Remember now, it is a "super blakhawk," in a 44mag, the "blackhawk" only comes in 357mag, 45lc, and sometimes you can find a 30 carbine.

The SBH, in 44 mag, with a 5 1/2" barrel or the 'old style Vaquero' in a 5 1/2" barrel, are both great guns. As you know, one has sights, one does not.

The recoil on these, again, depends on the individual's perception of fear/pain. It is a kicker, but (to me), it is no real big deal.


Understand, that you can shoot 44 specials through it all day long and have a great time, and with the right loads you can take down any deer, and if you are a skilled hunter, an elk, with the 44 speaical.
'FACT.'

Point being, you got a gun there that will allow you the pleasure of shooting all day, literally, and loading up a bit in the same round for hunting, OR, you can drop in the 44mags, and hunt or protect yourself, or have some fun blowing up everything from cans to old stumps! ;) It is not a 454 casull. Kick? Yes. But not that much.
It is really just not that bad.

My wife is very petite, and stands at 5' 4". The 'first handgun' she ever shot, (before we were married), was my Ruger SBH, with a 7 1/2" barrel, and my hot reload of Elmer Keith's, with 22grs. 2400, with a 250gr. cast bullet.

She hit what she was aiming at, and we still got married after that! :) She never complained.... She did not run out and want to shoot it again, but she did not whine.

Unless you are extremely terrified of recoil, don't worry about it, you'll be fine.

The "BlackHawk" model in 45LC, is a fantastic choice over the Vaquero, for those who want sights, and may not do well with a Vaquero style six shooter, ( which does usually entail filing the front sight to get it to shoot right with your favorite load), where as the BH, is ready to go, and in the 45LC and a 5 1/2" barrel, a man has a hangun with low recoil, (compared to the 44mag), and a pistol to take whatever game he goes after, (given the proper loads, and shot placement). Placeing a Bisley grip frame on a 45LC, makes the shooting even better. Ruger makes 'some 45LC models' with the Bisley grip.

One word of advice here... it has been my experience with the Rugers over all these years, that the "Blachawks" that come with "TWO" cylinders, one for 45LC, and the other for 45acp, or not really worth the getting. The reason, IMO, is that i have noticed that for some reason, the cylinder forcing cone gap, is always huge, compared to the BH's that are 45LC "ONLY." Can't tell ya why, i have a few thoughts, but, i can tell you, i stay away from those, and stick with the 45LC "only" BH models, those are always very good accurate shooters. ;)

HTH's


CanyonMan

[spober]

45 cowboy loads kick like a 22.

[Wet Dog]

Just reading CanyonMan's post makes me want to go out and get a 45 LC Ruger Blackhawk or Vaquero.

After carrying and shooting a friend's Blackhawk this year (man, did that ever feel "right") I'm in the market for a blackhawk but had not considered the 45 LC. I reload 357 & 44 mag for my Marlin 1894 carbines and was leaning in that direction. Now, I'm going to have to check out a 45 LC.

Thanks for posting CanyonMan! Your posts are always insightful and reflect your real life experience. Those are the best kind in my book.

[CanyonMan]

Just reading CanyonMan's post makes me want to go out and get a 45 LC Ruger Blackhawk or Vaquero. After carrying and shooting a friend's Blackhawk this year (man, did that ever feel "right") I'm in the market for a blackhawk but had not considered the 45 LC. I reload 357 & 44 mag for my Marlin 1894 carbines and was leaning in that direction. Now, I'm going to have to check out a 45 LC. Thanks for posting CanyonMan! Your posts are always insightful and reflect your real life experience. Those are the best kind in my book.



Well, thanks wet dog for the kind words, and glad i can help someone. I am no expert, (never met a 'real one' yet). ;)

I just can't seem to write about what i ain't done yet!

I have been blessed to live on a ranch most of my life. Real cowboy working ranches, and have the blessing of being able to have the exposure to all kinds of guns and hunting senerios, still got MUCH to learn! :)

I love the 44mag, hangun/rifle combo, BUT, i always seem to pick up the 45LC pistol/rifle more than anythng else. They are both great calibers, but the nod really does seem to always go to the 45LC for serious business. Again, i don't mean to sell the 44mag/special short, not at all, i 'love that caliber,' and was weened on it at a very earyly age, but the 45lc, man it is just a powerful, pleasant shooting, and deadly, and 'romantic' caliber. Big bullets, big holes, very deep penetration, and extremely devistating results, on even very big game.


The marlin or winchester rifle in 45Lc, and a Ruger blackhawk, (if you need sights), or vaquero for 'closer in work,' ( not really for longer range), is a fantastic combination, and the reloader can have a absolute field day, with loading this wonderful caliber.

Glad i could make you drool a little! ;f


Let us know if you take the plunge Hoss!

Good Shooting!


CanyonMan

[SDGlock23]

Great posting!! :)