45 Colt up grade?

poline · January 12, 2013, 03:36 PM

Looking to up grade from my Abertia Cattlemen to a 45 Colt that is stronger.
Right now it is between the Ruger Vaquero and the New Ruger Vaquero.
I lean toward the New Ruger Vaquero, because I like the feel of the revolver.
I'm asking for forum's opinion! I reload and want a 45 Colt revolver that will take more than just a target rd or cowboy load! 900fps to 1000fps and I want it to be a single action like the 1873.
Any reply or response from is greatly appreciated, THANK YOU.

jmortimer · January 12, 2013, 03:42 PM

Right now you are at around 14k psi max. The New Vaquero will go to 20pk psi which is more gun. New Vaquero has shorter cylinder than a Blackhawk so you will be limited to around 280 grain bullets. The Old Vaquero is a beast, just like the Blackhawk. I had both new and old Vaqueros in .45 Colt, and I liked the new Vaquero more. My next gun will be a Blackhawk in .45 Colt.

poline · January 12, 2013, 04:06 PM

THANK YOU, Is the Black Hawk single action?

rclark · January 12, 2013, 04:08 PM

Yes ... They are all Single Actions BH, SBH, Vaquero, New Vaquero, BH flattops, etc.

... The only way to shoot

.

jmortimer · January 12, 2013, 04:16 PM

"The only way to shoot"

For sure

Shotgun693 · January 12, 2013, 05:08 PM

Every Colt Clone on the market is capable of shooting a round at 900+ fps. My 'Cowboy' Load is a 200 gr bullet at 930 fps.

Hawg · January 12, 2013, 05:20 PM

Why do you think the Uberti is weaker than the new vaq? They chamber it in .357 magnum.

Jim Watson · January 12, 2013, 06:10 PM

I'd get the Lipsey flattop .45/.45.
Good for heavy but not magnumized loads, adjustable sights, not much bigger than Colt.

If you want to magnumized, get the bigger regular Blackhawk.

I can't see much point in a fixed sight gun like Vaquero except for CAS

Bob Wright · January 12, 2013, 09:02 PM

If I may suggest..............

Ruger New Model Blackhawk .45 Colt built up with Super Blackhawk grip frame.

Grips are ebony from Lett, now defunct.

Bob Wright

GeauxTide · January 12, 2013, 09:17 PM

I would definitely get a regular Blackhawk. The X Frame will take 20k loads, but the Blackhawk will go out to 25k. I have a 45 Bisley and just love it.

jmortimer · January 12, 2013, 09:24 PM

I believe the Blackhawk will go to 30k psi but I would go with what the "Ruger Only" loads say.

Meeteetse · January 13, 2013, 04:48 PM

If you want something with fixed sights, go with the Vaquero. Personally I like the original Vaquero which is a little bigger and a little stronger.

If fixed sights is not an issue I would go with the Blackhawk and get the one with the duel cylinder in 45 acp.

bigghoss · January 13, 2013, 11:14 PM

I had a blackhawk and really liked it, but I don't reload so the .45 colt was expensive and I decided to let it go. I'm thinking I'll eventually get a SBH to replace it.

The blackhawk will handle some seriously hot loads and so will the Vaquero (not to be confused with the smaller framed NEW Vaquero)

gak · January 13, 2013, 11:43 PM

There are many of us out here who like/prefer the fixed sights and don't CAS. I'm not a rangemeister, so I like them for camping/hiking/woodsin'. For these purposes "minute of two, four or no legged critter" at the distances most likely is fine. Don't ask for more of them. I don't hunt with them (rifle for that) so that's not an issue. I like the "tradtional" form/smoother lines, like how they clear leather, etc, etc.

As suggested, the Vaquero (as in the original/large frame) IS basically a Blackhawk with fixed sights, smooth top strap and steel gripframe and ejector housing. Between the V and the NV, have both. Like both. Don't have .45 (just .44s-Special and Mag. and .357s), due to my smallish hands, I prefer the New Vaquero, except do also have an affection for a pair of .44 Mag Vaqueros.- which only came in the large BH/SBH-based frame. They were my first "big bores." They handle the hypothetical "bear country" duty (black bear here, and yes there've neen some scary campsite intrusions and a few "attacks" recently) but truth be known, for anything south of the 40th or so parallel the lesser calibers/cartridges are probably fine. Wouldn't be super comfortable "just" with a .44 Mag around bears of the brown variety north of that anyway, so...

For that it's .454+ time, pepper spray and prayer! I'm around 33 degrees and a brownie hasn't been seen anywhere near that in a hundred years or so.

For a few years now Ruger (and distributors/vendors) have also confusingly been calling all of the New Vaqueros just "Vaquero" in their literature/ads, though the Vaquero ceased regular* production almost ten years ago.(* other than occasional special distributor only runs).
One other oddity (at least) - Ruger mislabled the .44 Special New Vaqueros saying only "Vaquero" on the frame. All other NVs say "New Vaquero" on the frame - to date.

Want a .45 and like to shoot "hot," get the large frame Blackhawk or Vaquero. Otherwise the New Vaquero or Flattop are fine. .357? IMO, the smaller "mid" frame NV or Flattop are more than adequate--can handle virtually anything "you can.". But, if you want adjustable sights in the .357, it's limited to the large frame Blackhawk or semi-rare (limited production) mid-frame 50th Anniversary .357 flattop. .44 Special? - no choice, the mid-frames. .44 Mag? - also no choice - but it's the large frames, with one exception - the 50th Anniversary .44 Mag flattop is an anomaly - a hybrid of sorts, marrying the midframe flattop's/New Vaquero's smaller XR3 gripframe with the large Blackhawk/Super Blackhawk cylinder frame (but with flat top strap vs the "regular" Blackhawk's contoured topstrap).
Voila!

January 12, 2013, 03:36 PM	#1
poline Senior Member Join Date: January 27, 2009 Location: Richmond,Va Posts: 292	45 Colt up grade? Looking to up grade from my Abertia Cattlemen to a 45 Colt that is stronger. Right now it is between the Ruger Vaquero and the New Ruger Vaquero. I lean toward the New Ruger Vaquero, because I like the feel of the revolver. I'm asking for forum's opinion! I reload and want a 45 Colt revolver that will take more than just a target rd or cowboy load! 900fps to 1000fps and I want it to be a single action like the 1873. Any reply or response from is greatly appreciated, THANK YOU.

January 12, 2013, 04:08 PM	#4
rclark Senior Member Join Date: February 12, 2009 Location: Butte, MT Posts: 2,622	Yes ... They are all Single Actions BH, SBH, Vaquero, New Vaquero, BH flattops, etc. ... The only way to shoot . __________________ A clinger and deplorable, MAGA, and life NRA member. When guns are outlawed, only outlaws will have guns. Single Action .45 Colt (Sometimes colloquially referred to by its alias as the .45 'Long' Colt or .45LC). Don't leave home without it. That said, the .44Spec is right up their too... but the .45 Colt is still the king.

January 13, 2013, 04:48 PM	#12
Meeteetse Member Join Date: January 1, 2012 Location: Wyoming - Texas Posts: 69	If you want something with fixed sights, go with the Vaquero. Personally I like the original Vaquero which is a little bigger and a little stronger. If fixed sights is not an issue I would go with the Blackhawk and get the one with the duel cylinder in 45 acp. __________________ All it takes for tyranny to succeed is for good men to do nothing.

January 13, 2013, 11:14 PM	#13
bigghoss Senior Member Join Date: September 15, 2006 Location: Pueblo, Colorado Posts: 2,664	I had a blackhawk and really liked it, but I don't reload so the .45 colt was expensive and I decided to let it go. I'm thinking I'll eventually get a SBH to replace it. The blackhawk will handle some seriously hot loads and so will the Vaquero (not to be confused with the smaller framed NEW Vaquero) __________________ I don't collect guns, I accumulate them.

January 13, 2013, 11:43 PM	#14
gak Senior Member Join Date: February 28, 2005 Location: Aridzona Posts: 2,767	There are many of us out here who like/prefer the fixed sights and don't CAS. I'm not a rangemeister, so I like them for camping/hiking/woodsin'. For these purposes "minute of two, four or no legged critter" at the distances most likely is fine. Don't ask for more of them. I don't hunt with them (rifle for that) so that's not an issue. I like the "tradtional" form/smoother lines, like how they clear leather, etc, etc. As suggested, the Vaquero (as in the original/large frame) IS basically a Blackhawk with fixed sights, smooth top strap and steel gripframe and ejector housing. Between the V and the NV, have both. Like both. Don't have .45 (just .44s-Special and Mag. and .357s), due to my smallish hands, I prefer the New Vaquero, except do also have an affection for a pair of .44 Mag Vaqueros.- which only came in the large BH/SBH-based frame. They were my first "big bores." They handle the hypothetical "bear country" duty (black bear here, and yes there've neen some scary campsite intrusions and a few "attacks" recently) but truth be known, for anything south of the 40th or so parallel the lesser calibers/cartridges are probably fine. Wouldn't be super comfortable "just" with a .44 Mag around bears of the brown variety north of that anyway, so... For that it's .454+ time, pepper spray and prayer! I'm around 33 degrees and a brownie hasn't been seen anywhere near that in a hundred years or so. For a few years now Ruger (and distributors/vendors) have also confusingly been calling all of the New Vaqueros just "Vaquero" in their literature/ads, though the Vaquero ceased regular* production almost ten years ago.(* other than occasional special distributor only runs). One other oddity (at least) - Ruger mislabled the .44 Special New Vaqueros saying only "Vaquero" on the frame. All other NVs say "New Vaquero" on the frame - to date. Want a .45 and like to shoot "hot," get the large frame Blackhawk or Vaquero. Otherwise the New Vaquero or Flattop are fine. .357? IMO, the smaller "mid" frame NV or Flattop are more than adequate--can handle virtually anything "you can.". But, if you want adjustable sights in the .357, it's limited to the large frame Blackhawk or semi-rare (limited production) mid-frame 50th Anniversary .357 flattop. .44 Special? - no choice, the mid-frames. .44 Mag? - also no choice - but it's the large frames, with one exception - the 50th Anniversary .44 Mag flattop is an anomaly - a hybrid of sorts, marrying the midframe flattop's/New Vaquero's smaller XR3 gripframe with the large Blackhawk/Super Blackhawk cylinder frame (but with flat top strap vs the "regular" Blackhawk's contoured topstrap). Voila! Last edited by gak; January 14, 2013 at 12:15 AM.

January 12, 2013, 03:42 PM	#2
jmortimer Junior member Join Date: January 24, 2010 Location: South West Riverside County California Posts: 2,763	Right now you are at around 14k psi max. The New Vaquero will go to 20pk psi which is more gun. New Vaquero has shorter cylinder than a Blackhawk so you will be limited to around 280 grain bullets. The Old Vaquero is a beast, just like the Blackhawk. I had both new and old Vaqueros in .45 Colt, and I liked the new Vaquero more. My next gun will be a Blackhawk in .45 Colt.

January 12, 2013, 04:06 PM	#3
poline Senior Member Join Date: January 27, 2009 Location: Richmond,Va Posts: 292	THANK YOU, Is the Black Hawk single action?

January 12, 2013, 04:16 PM	#5
jmortimer Junior member Join Date: January 24, 2010 Location: South West Riverside County California Posts: 2,763	"The only way to shoot" For sure

January 12, 2013, 05:08 PM	#6
Shotgun693 Senior Member Join Date: September 3, 2011 Location: Poteet, Texas Posts: 959	Every Colt Clone on the market is capable of shooting a round at 900+ fps. My 'Cowboy' Load is a 200 gr bullet at 930 fps.

January 12, 2013, 05:20 PM	#7
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,189	Why do you think the Uberti is weaker than the new vaq? They chamber it in .357 magnum.

January 12, 2013, 06:10 PM	#8
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,543	I'd get the Lipsey flattop .45/.45. Good for heavy but not magnumized loads, adjustable sights, not much bigger than Colt. If you want to magnumized, get the bigger regular Blackhawk. I can't see much point in a fixed sight gun like Vaquero except for CAS

January 12, 2013, 09:02 PM	#9
Bob Wright Senior Member Join Date: July 10, 2012 Location: Memphis, Tennessee Posts: 2,989	If I may suggest.............. Ruger New Model Blackhawk .45 Colt built up with Super Blackhawk grip frame. Grips are ebony from Lett, now defunct. Bob Wright

January 12, 2013, 09:17 PM	#10
GeauxTide Senior Member Join Date: April 20, 2009 Location: Helena, AL Posts: 4,424	I would definitely get a regular Blackhawk. The X Frame will take 20k loads, but the Blackhawk will go out to 25k. I have a 45 Bisley and just love it.

January 12, 2013, 09:24 PM	#11
jmortimer Junior member Join Date: January 24, 2010 Location: South West Riverside County California Posts: 2,763	I believe the Blackhawk will go to 30k psi but I would go with what the "Ruger Only" loads say.