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Doug444 · February 19, 2002, 01:15 PM

Just bought my second Cowboy pistol, a Ruger Vaquero .44 Mag, 5.5" barrel. My first was a Hawes Western Marshall, and I'd worked up a load w/.44 Mag brass that shot well in both the Hawes and my Rossi '92. Basically, a 200gr. pill @ about 800 fps. Shoots 5 into about 1.5 - 2" at 15 yds. Now, the Vaquero shoots the same load into about 4", low and left about 3" each way. Shooting 2-handed off-hand (traditional) I can keep all 10 shots from both guns in about an 10" circle.

Here are the questions:
1) Is this good enough for most targets in CAS, or should I be looking for another load?

2) Since both of these are chambered in .44 Mag, would a load near the top (1,000 fps, CAS rules) be a better choice, typically?

3) Would a heavier or lighter bullet be a better approach than changing velocity?

I know the ballistic theories: heavier bullet, higher impact (short range), etc. What I want is anyone's actual experience with trying to find a single load for two different handguns, particularly in .44 Mag.

Input will be appreciated.

Doug444

February 19, 2002, 01:15 PM	#1
Doug444 Senior Member Join Date: January 30, 2001 Location: Draper, UT Posts: 257	Vaquerro Questions Just bought my second Cowboy pistol, a Ruger Vaquero .44 Mag, 5.5" barrel. My first was a Hawes Western Marshall, and I'd worked up a load w/.44 Mag brass that shot well in both the Hawes and my Rossi '92. Basically, a 200gr. pill @ about 800 fps. Shoots 5 into about 1.5 - 2" at 15 yds. Now, the Vaquero shoots the same load into about 4", low and left about 3" each way. Shooting 2-handed off-hand (traditional) I can keep all 10 shots from both guns in about an 10" circle. Here are the questions: 1) Is this good enough for most targets in CAS, or should I be looking for another load? 2) Since both of these are chambered in .44 Mag, would a load near the top (1,000 fps, CAS rules) be a better choice, typically? 3) Would a heavier or lighter bullet be a better approach than changing velocity? I know the ballistic theories: heavier bullet, higher impact (short range), etc. What I want is anyone's actual experience with trying to find a single load for two different handguns, particularly in .44 Mag. Input will be appreciated. Doug444