Ruger Vaquero: +P rated?

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Superlite27

Superlite27

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I picked up a nice Ruger Vaquero the other day. It doesn't function too well without ammo, so I looked on the shelf before I left the shop and found that they only had two boxes of .45 LC left.

So I grabbed 'em.

Well, now that I'm home, I'm looking at what exactly I grabbed hold of. (I know, this is usually a good thing to do BEFORE making a purchase) The ammo is Buffalo Bore .45 LC 325 gr. LFN........+P.

+P? I didn't see the +P when I bought it, but it sure is there now.

Any ideas on shooting it out of my Vaquero? Usually +P rated firearms are stamped on the firearm, but the Vaquero is not, so I'm leaning towards returning the ammo.

When bad things happen with guns, it usually hurts, so I'm not going to attempt anything I have any doubts about.

Anyone know for sure?
 
Is this a Vaquero or a New Vaquero?

The older Vaquero is a Blackhawk with a more rounded frame and fixed sights. It will shoot what a Blackhawk will shoot (i.e. about as hot as anything out there that's considered safe in any gun).

The New Vaquero is scaled down overall for quicker handling in CAS competition, and doesn't have all the extra meat of the original Vaquero. It's a good gun, but it's not the best choice for those really hot loads.
 
Yup, old model Vaquero, you're safe...new model Vaquero, not so much. You should then send them to me, I will properly dispose of the ammunition for you!
 
If its a new Vaquero then return the gun. :D From what I understand you could put a thermo nuclear load through the old Vaquero if you really wanted to.
 
The older Vaquero is a Blackhawk with a more rounded frame and fixed sights. It will shoot what a Blackhawk will shoot (i.e. about as hot as anything out there that's considered safe in any gun).
Click to expand...

Can't use that as there's Blackhawks made on this medium sized frame as well.
easiest way to tell the difference...read what is rollmarked on the frame. Wiull say either Vaquero or New Vaquero.
 
Well, after doing some research I have decided to poke some of these rounds out of the barrel.

I went to Ruger forums and read some similar threads there. The general consensus was that New Vaquero = bad idea, Old Vaquero = perfectly fine. One guy had even posted a response from Ruger stating that all Ruger firearms are SAAMI +P rated.......

....but the argument continued in that there seems to be no SAAMI designation for +P ratings in .45 LC, so Ruger saying all of their guns (which would include the Vaquero)are +P rated when there is no +P rating for .45 LC is misleading.

The general consensus there was also that Old Vaquero would be fine, but you'd be trusting your body parts to luck and a good dose of guardian angel intervention if you attempt it in a New Vaquero.

So I went to the Ruger web site and looked up my serial number in a nifty "serial number info doodad" there.

I have an old model Vaquero made in 2001. It's a convertable and came with the .45 ACP cylinder which I have ran several boxes of 230 gr. FMJ through already. But the .45 LC is what I want to shoot out of it.

So I meandered out to the back yard, loaded up with the Buffalo Bore .45 LC +P, and pulled the trigger........

......HOLY POWDER BURNS, BATMAN!

Just a little more thump than I expected. As a matter of fact, after about the third round, I quit. The Vaquero ran just fine and held up nicely......

...evidently, my hand is not as well built. It is now completely numb.

These rounds will do nicely as ornamental decorations on the back of my gun belt. If, in the future, I decide to hunt elephant and rhinocerous with a six-gun, they will come in handy.

Until then, no more +P. I will endeavor to pick up some ammo loaded to lower pressures.

Just as soon as the feeling returns to my fingers.
 
Can't use that as there's Blackhawks made on this medium sized frame as well.
Click to expand...

That's true.

Seen a good number of said Blackhawks in the used racks, and the CDNN catalog. Not in my safe, though.
 
Georgia Arms

Why not try some Georgia Arms "Deerstoppers"?they are 260 gr/1200fps JHP's and they are less expensive than the Buffalo Bore.They are STOUT out my 4 5/8" Blackhawk,but tolerable.It seems to me Buffalo Bore makes some of their ammo to inflict pain when shooting:)
Georgia Arms was faster shipping this stuff than some of their more popular loads,which are way backed up.However,they are like Amazon.com in that they never charge until they ship.
 
The new Hornady LeverEvolution loads are standard pressure loads. Push a 225 gr bullet at about 900 fps, and the bullet is well designed for hunting. Not much recoil at all.
 
Somebody should have warned you before you touched off one of those Buffalo Bore ground pounders. They is potent. After that nothing else should bother you. As you found out, Rugers are tougher than we are.
 
For the price of the Buffalo Bores, you could have bought a complete reloading setup for .45 Colt...;)
 
let me ask you,
where does everyone get there info on using hotter loads in the nm 45lc vaquero?

i just went thru the manual on the new model vaquero cover to cover, and unless i missed something i dont see ANYTHING in the manual that states there are any ammunition lmitations on the new model vaquero 45lc.

in addition, i contacted a buddy of mine who owns a gun shop and owns 2 ruger vaquero 45lc stainless. asked him what his opinion was n the subject, and he told me he regularly fires hotter than factory handloads in his and has never had a problem. he also told me he spoke to ruger and the tech there told him that the NM vaquero will handle virtually everything on the market. the only thing they said that he should be cautious of is shooting the 300gr +P loads . everything else they said would be acceptable.

i would also imagine that if there were problems with them in that department or there were restrictions from the factory on ammo that you culd shoot theu them that there would be something the guns factory manual stating NOT to fire hotter loads in it as there is some sort of risk.

nothing personal guys, but i cant see any problems wit the hotter loads thru the NM vaquero if the FACTORY doesnt see any problems with them.
 
ok gents,

i guess quite a few people dont know squat about the ruger new model vaquero, and are, as usual repeating what they read elsewere with the conviction like they know it first hand.

i just spent the better part of an hour n the phone with rugers newport,new hampshire office. i spoke to two different people in length about the new model vaquero 45LC. (cant remeber the guys name, but the lady i spoke to was named tina), and BOTH of them told me that the new model ruger vaquero will handle EVERYTHING ON THE MARKET LOADWISE,INCLUDING ALL +P AND +P+ LOADINGS,AND BUFFALO BORES LOADINGS.

so i guess what i am saying is, before believng anything you read online that smeones posted, or i should say instead of askng a techincal question online about certain products, maybe its best if you actually call the company that manufactures the product a persons inquiring about and ask them. ive found online that in alot of instances people just repeat what they ave heard or read elsewere without actually checking into it themselves.

Cartridge Standard pressure +P pressure Notes
9 x 19 mm 35,000 38,500 10% increase
.38 Special 17,000 18,500 9% increase
.45 ACP 21,000 23,000 9.5% increase
.38 Auto 26,500 36,500 38% increase to make .38 Super
.45 Colt 14,000 25,000 79% increase, Ruger only load
 
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i just spent the better part of an hour n the phone with rugers newport,new hampshire office. i spoke to two different people in length about the new model vaquero 45LC. (cant remeber the guys name, but the lady i spoke to was named tina), and BOTH of them told me that the new model ruger vaquero will handle EVERYTHING ON THE MARKET LOADWISE,INCLUDING ALL +P AND +P+ LOADINGS,AND BUFFALO BORES LOADINGS.

so i guess what i am saying is, before believng anything you read online that smeones posted, or i should say instead of askng a techincal question online about certain products, maybe its best if you actually call the company that manufactures the product a persons inquiring about and ask them. ive found online that in alot of instances people just repeat what they ave heard or read elsewere without actually checking into it themselves.
Click to expand...

Does Ruger post that info anywhere? I don't doubt you spoke to someone at Ruger that told you that, but the following info is publicly posted by Buffalo Bore on their website:

"Heavy .45 Colt +P - 325 gr. L.B.T.-L.F.N.(1,325fps/M.E.1,267 ft.lbs.) - 50 Round Box

These Heavy .45 Colt +P loads are safe in all LARGE FRAME Ruger revolvers.
(includes Blackhawk, Super Blackhawk, all pre-2005 Vaquero, Bisley, Redhawk)

These Heavy .45 Colt +P loads are NOT intended for the New Model Vaquero (small frame).

These loads are also safe in all modern Model 1892 leverguns
as well as all Winchester & Marlin 1894's

Field Proven pistol and handgun ammo. Maximum firepower ammo. Best ammunition for pistols and handguns for sale. Buffalo Bore. Strictly big bore. Strictly Business."

Regards,
Greg
 
it has to do with the longer cylinder.

It has nothing to do with the strength of the gun. the loads are simple too long to fit in other guns.
 
well, today i decided to prove my point.

my gun is a new model ruger vaquero stainless 45 colt 5 1/2". i was out doing some reloading, and loaded up 12 rounds for the NMV, 6 at 27gr of lilgun with 240gr hornady XTP, and 6 at 27.5 (27.8 lilgun is max on hogdons websites ruger only loads for the 240gr. )

went out and while at the range, i measured the headspace. i can tell you that with both loads, the head space didnt change one bit, and the cartridges didnt stick. gun remained nice and tight, but i didnt. one thing to remember guys, i wouldnt want to shoot those high end loads all of the time out of the NMV, not because of pressure, but because they they are real goood nuckle busters. i dont think my second nuckle on my right hands middle finger will recover for quite some time due to the guns trigger guard slamming into it......LOL!

be safe.

actually though, my next test with the 240gr XTPs is going to drop the powder charge down to around around 18gr of lilgun and give that a try.
 
Nobody would expect a change in headspace.

I would expect bulged / dimpled chambers right at the locking bolt notch cuts if anything.
That is the weakest link in the chain.

rc
 
I have to admit to being a touch curious about that myself. Ruger only loads are essentially .45 Magnums, IE .45 Colt loaded to .44 Mag pressures, right? But the New Vaquero frame size was used for that remake of the old Flattop Blackhawk, in .44 Mag. I'm not sure I see the problem...

~~~Mat
 
But the New Vaquero frame size was used for that remake of the old Flattop Blackhawk, in .44 Mag. I'm not sure I see the problem...
Click to expand...
I am pretty sure that the 50th Anniversay Blackhawk in .44 Mag is built on the large Blackhawk frame. The .357 version is built on the smaller frame but not the .44.
 
+1

The 50th. Anniversary Blackhawk .44 Mag used the .44 Mag size flattop frame.

The 50th. Anniversary Blackhawk .357 used the smaller flattop frame.

rc
 
everything is perfect in the locking bolt notch area.

mat

no, the 44 is still a much heavier load. i wouldnt even attempt to stoke the 45 clt up to 44 mag pressures myself.

what i need to find is a really accurate mid-range 45 colt load . i have 30+ years reloading experience, but mainly in the rifle area, and a few pistol loads , but never the 45 colt.

anyone have any good loads using 240 XTP, 250 and 255 LRNFP?

if so, pm me and let me know whatchya got.
 
8.5 Unique & a 250 - 255 Keith or LRN-FP bullet is as good as it gets for plenty of power & fun shooting in Colt size guns.

It very closely duplicates the old black powder load that made the .45 Colt famous.
900 - 1,000 FPS depending on barrel length.

rc
 
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