New Model Vaquero just as strong as the old one according to Ruger

[Master Blaster]

Last night I received my copy of the latest American Rifleman.

So off I went to the royal throne room to peruse it at my leisure, while the wife and kids watched Vin Diesel in the Pacifier in our home theater.

Much to my delight there was a story about the New XR3 frame Vaquero.

The article made the statement that when the writer asked Ruger about the strength of the new svelter Vaquero and wether it could handle the loads marked Ruger only in the loading manuals like the old blackhawk based ones did.

Ruger's representative told them that it was proofed with the same loads,and there for just as strong as the old New Vaquero based on the blackhawk.

BUT Ruger does not recommend the use of Handloaded/Reloaded ammo.

So what do yall think?????? Could they be just as strong???

Or will we see a "halfway" load for the new ones????

 

[danhei]

That's just misleading to say they are "proofed with the same loads." My understanding is they definately aren't for the Ruger only loads. Apparently a few people have already damaged guns trying that but my only source for that info is on boards like this.

 

[rick_reno]

A friend who cowboy shoots would disagree with this, he's found his gets very tight shooting hot loads. He was planning on getting rid of it, after it took him 4 months to find one.

 

[bakert]

Nope, the new Vaquerro may have been proofed with the same loads but it is definately not as strong. It is a smaller gun than the Blackhawk and Vaquerros built on the same frame.

 

[Pappy John]

I imagine there's a reason that Ruger is not offering them in .44 Magnum, like the older Vaqs.

They're a nicely balanced single action though, just right for SASS type shooting.

 

[m0ntels]

http://www.gunblast.com/Ruger-NewVaquero.htm

The New Vaquero has cylinder walls that are thinner than those on the .45 Blackhawks and original Vaqueros, and while stronger than the Colt SAA, the New Vaquero should not be used with the heavy loads that are listed as "Ruger Only" in some hand loading manuals.

Some good reading there...

Randy

 

[Old Fuff]

This is what I'd call a bit of double-speak ...

Ruger may use the same proof loads, but hopefully most people don't fire anything on that level for regular shooting. Also, Ruger never officially approved of using "Ruger only" loads in the older Blackhawks and (original) Vaqueros.

Of course there will be some less-then-bright folks that will use the extra-hot stuff in the smaller revolvers. It is to Ruger's credit that most of them won't blow up the gun, although some may end up with expanded chambers.

If so, I'm sure we will hear from them on the various gun-related forums, telling any and all what a piece of ...... the new Ruger's are ... :banghead:

 

[Vern Humphrey]

Ruger Blackhawks have been tested to destruction in many independent labs. We know that if you load a .45 Colt Blackhawk to 32,000 CUP, you have a 100% safety margin.

So far as I know, no one has tested any New Vaqueros to destruction. We don't know what the safety margin would be.