question about the ruger vaquero in .44 magnum

[ThePerfectOne]

hi there

in a couple of months, when I graduate, I plan on buying a 2nd .44 magnum, to accomodate my desert eagle.

it's definately going to be a ruger, but I'm still not sure wich model. I've narrowed my choices between these 2:

- the ruger super blackhawk hunter .44 magnum, 7.5" barrel

- ruger vaquero .44 magnum in gloss stainless steel finish, 7.5" barrel.

now I have 2 questions:

1) will the fixed sights on the vaquero be considerably less accurate than the adjustable sights on the super blackhawk hunter? (I'm planning to do most of my shooting at 30 yards)

2) can the vaquero handle the same hot loads as the super blackhawk hunter? or to put it differently: can the vaquero handle a constant diet of hot .44 magnum loads?




overall I'm leaning towards the super blackhawk hunter, but I just can't say no to the classic looks of the vaquero (I guess I've watched too many westerns )

thanks for any input

 

[tbige]

While I love the looks of the Vaquero, the sights rule it out for me. Compared to the Colt clones, it's built like a tank and I assume would handle a nuclear load, but Vaquero owners will give the best advice.

Good luck.

 

[Baba Louie]

1. The adjustable sights on the hunter will provide you with a more accurate sight picture and allow you to adjust to different POI with different loads... and thats a good thing. With the Vaq you get to do that mentally using Kentucky windage as it were.
2. Strong enough for hot loads? Goodness gracious, yes, if we're talking about company fodder. You can always roll your own strong enough to blow up anything.

The SBH Hunter will give you more options down the road such as scoping for hunting or longer range shooting. I like the Bisley grip frame since the gun tends to not roll up quite so high on recoil but it looks... strange to some, not as traditional.

 

[TallPine]

Maybe it is just me, but I cannot imagine why anyone would want a Vaquero in 44 mag.

For a modern cartridge like 44 mag, get a modern revolver like a Blackhawk, or even a double action of some flavor.

But a Vaquero, that has to be 45 Colt.

No reasoning behind that - just esthetics.

 

[Jim March]

The frame and cylinder are of equal strength in both those guns. The Vaq frame doesn't LOOK as strong as the BH/SBH New Model frame, but it is. Cylinders are identical.

You might consider the Bisley-variant Hunter in 44Mag.

 

[Josey]

I bought two Ruger Vaqueros in 44-40. I bought a SBH in 44 Magnum.

 

[Nikon Shooter]

I don't know a great deal about the Vaquero's, so I'm afraid I will not be much help as far as comparing the two revolvers, but I recently purchased a SBH Bisley Hunter model and I absolutely love it! It shoots great, and recoil, IMHO, is not much of an issue with Winchester 240 GR. JSP bullets......

It is a superb firearm...... I don't know how I managed so long without one!

(Below is a link to a picture of my revolver if you would like to take a peek)

 

[Marshall]

Get the gun that was made for what you want to do. If it's hunting, get the SBH! Save your cash and get the Vaquero you want later. Get it in the caliber that the Vaquero was meant to be had in, .45 Colt.

I know they make camo tape but, you really don't want to go hunting with a mirror do you?