Mezcal Charlie Posted June 5 Posted June 5 Anyone shooting +P rounds in their Vaquero? I’m talking about the heavy frame old model. Just curious. Quote
John Barleycorn, SASS #76982 Posted June 5 Posted June 5 My guess is the original large frame can handle the most stout “Ruger Only” loads 7 Quote
Tye Riverman, SASS #41433 Posted June 5 Posted June 5 Yep, I shoot "tier 3" loads out of my old model vaquero and blackhawk. Although, not as many as I used to cause they hurt a bit these days. I usually stick with tier 2 loads unless I am shooting them in a cowboy match. I use all 3 of Linebaugh's recommended loads which is near the end of this article. Except I am using a 250 or 255 grain bullet. http://www.sixgunner.org/dissolving-the-myth.html YMMV Tye 1 1 Quote
The Original Lumpy Gritz Posted June 5 Posted June 5 GTG IF you don't exceed what the book sez! 1 Quote
Dantankerous Posted June 5 Posted June 5 (edited) Not out of my "Old" Vaqueros but out of my Blackhawks I certainly have. Those share the same frame size. NOT the smaller mid frame Flattop, mind you. The "Old" Vaquero can handle those loads though. About all I shoot in my BHs are Tier II (over 14K psi up to 23K psi). John Taffin, Chuck Linebaugh and Brian Pearce have years worth of experience and load development with the 45 Colt +P realm. Fun stuff! I do prefer the Ruger Bisley for my non cowboy loads though... much easier on the hand and wrists. Edited June 5 by Dantankerous 1 Quote
Stump Water Posted June 5 Posted June 5 Not the "old" Vaqueros, but the "Ruger or Contender only" loads is about all I've ever shot out of the "old" Blackhawk. Quote
Ricochet James Posted June 6 Posted June 6 (edited) Have an old model Bisley vaquero sited in for 300-320 gr over a healthy dose of H 110 for hunting and shoots great. Edited June 6 by Ricochet James Content 2 Quote
Cusz M. Dutch SASS Life 55326 Posted June 6 Posted June 6 yes indeed 300 and H110 makes some interesting loads When shot out of a 92, they start approaching 45/70 levels. Quote
Ricochet James Posted June 6 Posted June 6 (edited) 14 minutes ago, Cusz M. Dutch SASS Life 55326 said: yes indeed 300 and H110 makes some interesting loads When shot out of a 92, they start approaching 45/70 levels. I shoot those out of a 92 and a Marlin. Very effective on white tailed deer. I believe you call these a poor man’s 45-70. Edited June 6 by Ricochet James Content 1 Quote
Texas Jack Black Posted June 6 Posted June 6 19 hours ago, Mezcal Charlie said: Anyone shooting +P rounds in their Vaquero? I’m talking about the heavy frame old model. Just curious. Yes, built on a Blackhawk frame Quote
Texas Jack Black Posted June 6 Posted June 6 16 hours ago, The Original Lumpy Gritz said: GTG IF you don't exceed what the book sez! What book is that.😉 1 Quote
Von Dutch, SASS # 7995 Posted June 6 Posted June 6 Its been years but I loaded a 45 colt with 15.6 gr Blue Dot with a 240 gr JHC shot out of a 71/2 Vaquero it was a hell of a jolt when fired That was a book load out of a Thompson/Center Contender Book and it in that section it says for Ruger and T/C only . That wasn't even the max load! Quote
The Original Lumpy Gritz Posted June 6 Posted June 6 3 hours ago, Texas Jack Black said: What book is that.😉 Any loading manual 🙃👍 Quote
The Original Lumpy Gritz Posted June 6 Posted June 6 49 minutes ago, Von Dutch, SASS # 7995 said: Its been years but I loaded a 45 colt with 15.6 gr Blue Dot with a 240 gr JHC shot out of a 71/2 Vaquero it was a hell of a jolt when fired That was a book load out of a Thompson/Center Contender Book and it in that section it says for Ruger and T/C only . That wasn't even the max load! Give H-110 powder a try. 👍 Quote
Three Foot Johnson Posted June 6 Posted June 6 I have in the past, but I don't feel any of my present herd of .45's are stout enough, so I'm shooting up my remaining stock of nuclear loads in a Handi Rifle. 1 Quote
Texas Jack Black Posted June 6 Posted June 6 1 hour ago, The Original Lumpy Gritz said: Give H-110 powder a try. 👍 Remember those loads in the books are all driven by lawyers .😉 Try 2400. 1 Quote
Von Dutch, SASS # 7995 Posted June 6 Posted June 6 1 hour ago, The Original Lumpy Gritz said: Give H-110 powder a try. 👍 No Thanks! at my age holding on to an Old Model Vaquero with cowboy loads is challenge enough ! 1 Quote
The Original Lumpy Gritz Posted June 6 Posted June 6 3 hours ago, Texas Jack Black said: Remember those loads in the books are all driven by lawyers .😉 Try 2400. Nope! They are the result of ballistic lab testing with special guns 😉 Quote
The Original Lumpy Gritz Posted June 6 Posted June 6 2 hours ago, Von Dutch, SASS # 7995 said: No Thanks! at my age holding on to an Old Model Vaquero with cowboy loads is challenge enough ! Know well of what you say! 😉👍 Quote
Texas Jack Black Posted June 6 Posted June 6 23 minutes ago, The Original Lumpy Gritz said: Nope! They are the result of ballistic lab testing with special guns 😉 Yup and Lawyer driven. along with manufacturers in order to set standards . You know I know this. you just have your argument hat on.😉 2 Quote
The Original Lumpy Gritz Posted June 6 Posted June 6 10 minutes ago, Texas Jack Black said: Yup and Lawyer driven. along with manufacturers in order to set standards . You know I know this. you just have your argument hat on.😉 It matches your 'winey' shirt 🤣 Facts, can be stubborn things......... 1 Quote
Texas Jack Black Posted June 7 Posted June 7 14 hours ago, The Original Lumpy Gritz said: It matches your 'winey' shirt 🤣 Facts, can be stubborn things......... Put the beer down and go change your Diaper. Get back to me when you grow up😉 1 Quote
The Original Lumpy Gritz Posted June 7 Posted June 7 28 minutes ago, Texas Jack Black said: Put the beer down and go change your Diaper. Get back to me when you grow up😉 Who are you? Quote
Cusz M. Dutch SASS Life 55326 Posted June 7 Posted June 7 (edited) On 6/6/2026 at 7:51 AM, Ricochet James said: I shoot those out of a 92 and a Marlin. Very effective on white tailed deer. I believe you call these a poor man’s 45-70. https://www.leverguns.com/articles/paco/45coltlevergun.htm I had to back off 1.0 on top load for H110. It was a religious experience for sure. I was getting cratered primers from my Puma 92. They will go the lengthwise on a mule deer at 200 yards. Missed him sleeping, right over the top of the back . Guessamating 1700 fps? Edited June 7 by Cusz M. Dutch SASS Life 55326 Quote
Mezcal Charlie Posted June 10 Author Posted June 10 Thanks for some of the input. Not sure about some comments here but I was just curious about bear loads for my Vaquero. Quote
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