Another Vaquero thread

[Wet Dog]

After reading the sage words of CanyonMan and others I set out on a quest to find a BH or Vaquero in 45 Colt. I might have lucked into one...

It's a Vaquero. Now I do appreciate the handsome lines of the Vaquero over the boxy sighted Blackhawk but the utility of adjustable sights seems worth it. My concern is with the Vaquero's fixed sights that I might be having to do more estimating than I'd like when drawing a bead on a critter or varmit.

Do they make the Vaqueros to shoot POA for cowboy loads or will they be pretty close on a general purpose/hunting load?

My primary purpose would be as a hunting side arm and possibly the primary means of putting said venison down on the ground. This was my first year of handgun hunting and I must say, I really enjoyed the challenge of it. The 45 Colt, from what I've read looks like it'll do a lot of things real well. Versatility is a quality I really like.

I'd use it at the local range punchin paper and meet up with some of the pards for some CAS shooting too... I'm real tempted to do this deal and hoping I can get some feedback before I take the plunge on this. Do I hold out for a blackhawk or do I score the Vaquero?

Heres a picture of the Vaquero
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[CanyonMan]

Wet Dog,

On the Vaquero, you may shoot several brands of ammo, and at several velosity levels, and grain weights, etc, "Before," you find one that "perhaps" will shoot POA at say 25yds.

These guns are designed to draw point and shoot, just like they have been for about 100 years. "Aiming," was NOT in the equation with a colt style hogleg. In years past, in the wilder west days, i say wilder, cause it is still pretty wild where i come from, ha. A man would use his gun mostly for snakes and to put down a steer or horse with a broke leg, and occasionally, defend himself against another two legged predator. And usually at real close quarters.

So, 'aiming'was 'not a real consideration,' as you #1... would just point and shoot, and #2.. if you used your sixgun alot, and the same type ammo, you would eventually get to the point that you would "know" where to place the front blade in the rear notch, to hit POA, 'IF needed!'


That being said, if you by that Vaquero, "you cannot go wrong," but understand, that as "hunting sixguns go," for the guy doing this for perhaps the "first time," it is the 'most difficult' of the 'two choices' you have, that being the Vaquero, or the BlackHawk.

"Example"

I decide for each particular Vaquero, what it is i want to use it for the most. In my case the choices are rather slim. "Serious Hunting," or "carry on the ranch," to dispatch rattlers, cougars, or a bobcat etc; at 'close range, and quick draw,' (meaning 4 5/8" barrel in a custom leather rig..

Then i decide what grain bullet i want to use the most for those applications. In my 45LC for serious hunting, say i choose the 265gr Keith Harcast bullet, at X vel. and with X powder. Now i load up go out and set up a target, (or pick out a prickly pear cactus leaf), and usually at 25yds, and shoot.

When i am 'completely convinced' this "is the load", i file the front sight to get the bullet at POA.

Now i "KNOW," when i pick that gun up and load, it will hit where i "AIM" it at 25yds, without a second thought, and then i "learn the gun," at 30/40/50/out to 100yds, till i 'get confident' with where the front blade should be at these ranges, this takes time patients, tons of practise and lead!.

Keep in mind...after doing this, 'if i change anything at all,' in the ammo, this gun is not going to shoot in the same place, i have to make mental, and phyisical adjustments. A lighter bullet, or a heavier bullet, will hit differently from my begining load and filing of the front sight.

So, growing up, learning to 'draw point and fire,' without aiming, took a life time, and i am not dead yet, so, i am still working on it at 54 years old, and i have been doing it most my life. ;)

Now, with the 'BlackHawk,' Wow, put in the ammo, fire a shot or two, turn a click or two, and you are there! Change ammo right quick, fire, and you are usually still pretty close, because of the better sight picture on the BH, but if not, you are a click away!

I know the Vaquero, carries FAR more "romance," and looks far more desireable, but to answer your question to the nth degree here....If you are the kind of guy that is "dedicated," patient, persistent, and seriously passionate, about what you do, the Vaquero, "for a first time hogleg," and to "seriously hunt with," will be fine, given the above advise.

If not, i would grab the BH, and spend a year maybe, playing with it at all kinds of distances, and getting used to it all, and then get the Vaquero next. Option # 2..... Get the Vaquero, and do the same thing with it.. decide on the "purpose," and the "load for that purpose," and get cracking with it, and play X 100, till it is an 'extention of your arm.'

I "DO NOT, want to scare you away from the Vaquero, it is a very wonderful gun, but it will be the hardest of the two, to master "correctly" for "serious Hunting."

Playing goofing off, stump shooting, paper popping, and the like, go for it. But if your 'mind set' is to 'start off HUNTING,' i would seriously consider the BH as the first choice, and Vaquero next time the money burns a hole in your pocket! ;)

A real mess? NO! Impossible? NO! Just more difficult to master and hit POA's without some work, (as mentioned above).


Whatever you decide, i am sure you will do just fine, with Practise, and a Ruger! ;)

HTH's

CanyonMan

[Wet Dog]

Once again CanyonMan, I'm in your debt. Much obliged.

I will probably make the trade for the Vaquero. Part impatience and part because it's a trade and I don't have to shell out any cash... I'm afraid if I don't I'll kick myself for letting this one slide.

I'll keep my eye out for a 45 colt Blackhawk for hunting. In the mean time I can get some range time in with the Vaquero. I have three Single Sixes but this will be my first SA centerfire.

Thanks again for watchin out for a 45 SA greenhorn. Now I need to locate some brass and a die set.

[CanyonMan]

Sounds like a plan to me.....!
You'll do fine, and you'll learn fast. Play with it for a long while before you start the "filing" process on the front blade, and then "only" after you are "sure" what load you want to use, and take nth degree strokes on that blade at a time until you get your POA, at the desired distance. I usually get all the shots in a poker chip at 25yds, after the load selection, and slow careful filing to get POA. If i could see better, they would be smaller! :)

Let us know how it is going. I am confident you are going to love that gun, and do well! ;)

Good shooting!

CanyonMan