Ruger Vaquero

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Paul R Smith

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Ruger Vaqueo

I am looking into buying a Ruger Vaquero in 45LC for target shooting. I was just wondering if there is a difference between the 7.5" barrel and the 5.5" barrel. Will the 7.5" barrel do anything for the accuracy? Which barrel length do you think is the better way to go?
Thanks.
Paul Smith
 
If you really just want it for target shooting consider the Bisley or Blackhawk instead of the Vaquero, as it'll have adjustable sights.

Other than that, longer barrels are always more accurate than shorter barrels. But heavier, too. It's really a personal choice.

Personally, I had been looking at the Bisley-Vaquero, and decided on the straight Bisley instead. YMMV.

-- Sam
 
While Yosemite Sam stated that longer barrels are "always" more accurate than shorter bbls, I do no agree.

What is true is that a longer bbl makes for a longer sight radius which makes it easier to shoot accurately.
 
both YosemiteSam357 and Paul R Smith are right

The longer barrel is more accurate not because it's longer, but becaust the sights are further apart. The two lengths do have a different feel, and both can be extremely accurate, the best thing to do is go to a shop that has several barrel lengths and handle each, choose the one that fits your hand and feels better, when you handle them you will know which you want:)
 
Barrel length affects velocity, which is critical for "distance shooting" in metallic siluette<sp?> or whatever.

Also, due to sectional density and other factors, the .44Mag will do less bullet drop at long range than hot .45LC+P.

The above will be important at 75 yards or more. At typical CAS/SASS shooting distances, of no importance whatsoever, especially given the ammo you're limited to. Most CAS/SASS players run 5.5" or shorter barrels...some use Sheriff's models with 3.5" tubes and do just fine.

I personally like how the 4.6" big-bores handle.
 
I think that the Vaquero is one sexy looking gun!

But for target shooting I'd would echo those who recommended the Bisley with the 7.5" barrel and adjustable sights. IMHO, if target accuracy is your goal this would be a better combination than the Vaquero. Good shooting:)
 
Hey Ryan..Here is a pic of the my Vaquero I was telling you about at Palmetto. Knowing how you are planning to use it, I would say, go with the 5.5. If you were going to use it for long range target shooting or hunting, the longer barrel might be benificial.
But for short range plinking the shorter barrel dosnt really affect practical accuracy, is quicker handeling, and IMO ballanced better.
 

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They DO make a Vaquero in .44 Mag, yes? The only ones the shops ever have are the .45 Colt versions, which is fine, 'cept I have a .44 Mag levergun and a revolver to go with it would be fine.
 
You bet they make Vaqueros in .44Mag. Not quite as common as the .45s, but very much available as a regular catalog item (versus special runs of REALLY odd calibers, like .40S&W :)).

An AR15 Tritium front sight from Ashley Outdoors is tall enough and fat enough (and made of mild steel) that you could cut a channel right up the inside so that it'll "straddle" the front blade of a Vaquero. You then drill two holes all the way through and pin the "new sight" to the existing blade, which you could switch back to at any time. Hog out the rear sight some for the big Tritium front dot and presto - you'd have a killer combat sight for a Vaquero yet you could bring it back to SASS/CAS specs whenever necessary :).

That's what I'm gonna do!
 
I have a Vaquero in 45 Colt 5 1/2 inch that will shoot as good as my Sig 220...and that's good! I find once they are dialed in for elevation, you can actually do better shooting since the sights are thinner in width and finer, and therefore cover less of the target than those on an adjustable sight Blackhawk. The old 1/10th inch wide front sights on the old Smith and Wesson 5 screws were much better for accuracy shooting and remain so, but the 1/8th sights are better to see and pick up for general use, IMHO.
 
Paul, although I don't own a Vaquero (yet!) I'll offer my opinion.

For "informal" target shooting, plinking, possible carry on the hip on walks through the woods, etc. I would go with the 5.5" tube. My Ruger MK II .22LR has the 5.5" barrel; I find it accurate and very easy to manipulate.

My SS .44Mag Super Blackhawk has the 7.5" tube. This is a gun I also use for plinking, but only when it happens to be along for hunting as its primary role is a short range white-tail gun. In that role, I wanted the longer tube sighting accuracy (I use open sights) & recoil reduction for faster 2nd shots. It's fun to pull out at camp & shoot at tin cans, but I think the extra 2" of barrel is overkill for that type of activity & definetly makes the gun heavier & more bulky to carry.

Of course, you could always buy both & decide later... :D
 
In CAS, I shoot a pair of .44 Vaqueros, gunfighter style. I use a 5-1/2" in my left (weak) hand, and a 7-1/2 in my right because of the slight weight difference. The 7-1/2 is definitely more accurate, even compared to shooting the 5-1/2 in my strong hand. However, I have hit a 12" steel plate 4 out of 5 times at 75 yds with the 5-1/2, so it is an accurate gun.
 
What do you guys think about the Vaquero in comparison to the Uberti and Cimmeron (sp) and the like.
I checked out one of the Uberti's today, and was shocked by how much lighter it was then the Vauero. The action seemd MUCH smoother as well. Will the italian SAA clones handle stout modern loads, or are they limited to lighter "cowboy" loads? Can they be carried safely with the hammer down on a loaded chamber?
 
The colt clones will shoot run of the mill .45 loads, but they are more fragile than the rugers, that's why they are lighter. The action is smoother, but the Ruger can be improved with dry firing. Also the springs in the clones are flat and prone to breaking, not the case with the rugers.

If you want to shoot hot loads, get the Ruger.
 
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