300 grain in 45LC Vaquero?

davidaker · May 3, 2011, 03:15 PM

I've got a box of 300 grain bullets left over from my .454 Casull and wondering if I can load them for my 12 year old Vaquero? I see data for a Blackhawk but will a Vaquero handle the load as well? Thanks

TATER · May 3, 2011, 04:35 PM

Sure you can.. I have several loads for 300 grain using HS-6, Universal, Win296/H-110
296/H110 has the most latitude. I will look when I get home.

ligonierbill · May 3, 2011, 08:37 PM

Presuming old Vaquero, that is same as Blackhawk in strength, I load 300 grain Oregon Trail hardcast over 20 grains of H110. Chronos at 1,240 fps from a 6 1/2" Blackhawk. Not exactly pushing the envelope, but it's what I pack when I'm "dog dirty and loaded for bear".

jmortimer · May 3, 2011, 11:55 PM

You can't fit a 300 grain bullet in a "New" model Vaquero. As noted, if you have the "Old" model Vaquero you can use the "Ruger Only" data and your data for the Blackhawk would work just fine.

davidaker · May 4, 2011, 08:13 AM

Thanks for the quick replies, I'll give it a try.

ligonierbill · May 4, 2011, 08:48 PM

One more thing: Load the 300's a little long, on the OT bullets use the back cannelure.

chiefr · May 4, 2011, 09:37 PM

The old model Vaquero would be a better candidate due to the slightly longer cylinder length. I am not saying you can't load the longer length bullets in the new model, but the extra length of the old model has an advantage.
I have owned an old model for some time and later bought a new model. I soon learned some of my "old model" reloads would not chamber due to the shorter cylinder length.

jmortimer · May 4, 2011, 09:45 PM

"I am not saying you can't load the longer length bullets in the new model..."
I'm saying for sure you cannot. Max weight is around 270 grains +/- for "new" Vaquero.

chiefr · May 5, 2011, 09:41 PM

Jmortimer, I have never tried to load anything heavier than 255gr in my "New" model Vaquero and never tried it. After reading your response I have no desire to attempt it. IMHO, heavy bullets are for the "Old" model Vaq or the Blackhawk. Thx

jmortimer · May 5, 2011, 10:37 PM

Here is very specific information regarding the OAL for the "new" vaquero and the best article ever written on the subject by Brian Pearce in the April 2005 Handloader and found on Rifle Magazine web site http://www.riflemagazine.com/magazin...34_preview.pdf
The old 255 grain SWC sure is useful.

May 3, 2011, 03:15 PM	#1
davidaker Member Join Date: March 29, 2011 Posts: 19	300 grain in 45LC Vaquero? I've got a box of 300 grain bullets left over from my .454 Casull and wondering if I can load them for my 12 year old Vaquero? I see data for a Blackhawk but will a Vaquero handle the load as well? Thanks

May 3, 2011, 04:35 PM	#2
TATER Senior Member Join Date: November 19, 2002 Location: Mississippi Posts: 963	Sure you can.. I have several loads for 300 grain using HS-6, Universal, Win296/H-110 296/H110 has the most latitude. I will look when I get home.

May 3, 2011, 08:37 PM	#3
ligonierbill Senior Member Join Date: May 20, 2007 Posts: 2,458	Presuming old Vaquero, that is same as Blackhawk in strength, I load 300 grain Oregon Trail hardcast over 20 grains of H110. Chronos at 1,240 fps from a 6 1/2" Blackhawk. Not exactly pushing the envelope, but it's what I pack when I'm "dog dirty and loaded for bear".

May 3, 2011, 11:55 PM	#4
jmortimer Junior member Join Date: January 24, 2010 Location: South West Riverside County California Posts: 2,763	You can't fit a 300 grain bullet in a "New" model Vaquero. As noted, if you have the "Old" model Vaquero you can use the "Ruger Only" data and your data for the Blackhawk would work just fine.

May 4, 2011, 08:13 AM	#5
davidaker Member Join Date: March 29, 2011 Posts: 19	Thanks for the quick replies, I'll give it a try.

May 4, 2011, 08:48 PM	#6
ligonierbill Senior Member Join Date: May 20, 2007 Posts: 2,458	One more thing: Load the 300's a little long, on the OT bullets use the back cannelure.

May 4, 2011, 09:37 PM	#7
chiefr Senior Member Join Date: January 27, 2010 Location: AR Posts: 1,401	The old model Vaquero would be a better candidate due to the slightly longer cylinder length. I am not saying you can't load the longer length bullets in the new model, but the extra length of the old model has an advantage. I have owned an old model for some time and later bought a new model. I soon learned some of my "old model" reloads would not chamber due to the shorter cylinder length.

May 4, 2011, 09:45 PM	#8
jmortimer Junior member Join Date: January 24, 2010 Location: South West Riverside County California Posts: 2,763	"I am not saying you can't load the longer length bullets in the new model..." I'm saying for sure you cannot. Max weight is around 270 grains +/- for "new" Vaquero.

May 5, 2011, 09:41 PM	#9
chiefr Senior Member Join Date: January 27, 2010 Location: AR Posts: 1,401	Jmortimer, I have never tried to load anything heavier than 255gr in my "New" model Vaquero and never tried it. After reading your response I have no desire to attempt it. IMHO, heavy bullets are for the "Old" model Vaq or the Blackhawk. Thx

May 5, 2011, 10:37 PM	#10
jmortimer Junior member Join Date: January 24, 2010 Location: South West Riverside County California Posts: 2,763	Here is very specific information regarding the OAL for the "new" vaquero and the best article ever written on the subject by Brian Pearce in the April 2005 Handloader and found on Rifle Magazine web site http://www.riflemagazine.com/magazin...34_preview.pdf The old 255 grain SWC sure is useful.