New Vaquero Point of Aim/Impact

Deadeye Dick · February 07, 2008, 04:00:28 PM

Please allow this old open top shooter to ask a question in your forum regarding the New Vaquero in 357, 5.5 BBL. I have a friend looking to purchase a New Vaquero and he wants to know if the POA and POI is the close to being the same. To tell the truth he has kind of got me interested in purchasing one too. We may want to go with the Blackhawk if POA and POI is way off. I prefer the New Vaquero look. We will probably be shooting reloads and probably not black powder although I might try some in black powder. I tried a search of RATS and didn't find much. How about it, any of you New Vaquero shooters have any advice?

Deadeye Dick

Trailrider · February 07, 2008, 05:02:45 PM

Howdy, Pard,

I actually bought a 7-1/2" in .45 LC, but due to weather and other problems haven't had a chance to fire it. Ruger's Old Model Vaquero's tending to shoot low, simply because they left the front sights high so the shooter could file down the front sight blade to sight in with handloaded ammo.

I would think it would depend on the load, bullet weight, velocity, and the way the shooter sees the sight picture.

Leo Tanner · February 07, 2008, 05:27:57 PM

Gotta .357 OMV, found a fair size difference in POI when bouncing between .357 and .38. Haven't filed the sight but a previous owner may have as the bluing is worn off on top. That could just be from drawing many times, as there is a worn spot on the ejector rod housing as well. Good old Kentucky windage seems to work fine--I shoot 'er mostly at an outdoor recreational range and the target yardages vary enough that fiddlin with fixed sights would be poinless IMHO. I heard the adjustables on the Blackhawk were pretty sweet, but they're just not what I was interested in. Hope this helps.

Leo

Ten Wolves Fiveshooter · February 07, 2008, 05:47:04 PM

I think thats something one has to figure out his self, there are too many variables and components involved, and thats the whole spectrum,of possibility's, once you find POA and POI , you can work out where you will have to aim for different distances.

Ten Wolves

Deadeye Dick · February 07, 2008, 06:45:09 PM

Just wanted to see if there is plenty of front sight. Opentops often don't have enough front sight and one has to replace with a taller one. Also, is windage normally about on? Thanks for your responses.
Deadeye Dick

Ten Wolves Fiveshooter · February 07, 2008, 07:24:55 PM

How Do Deadeye Dick

My Ruger New Model Vaquero's are right on for windage , what distance, what load, how you hold your gun, will all play into where the bullit hits. once you know this , you'll be able to work out where the bullit will hit at other distances, it just takes time lots of ammo and patience, and be ready to have a lot of fun.

and o yea Ruger NM Vaquero's are really great sixguns.

Ten Wolves

fatelvis · February 07, 2008, 07:41:12 PM

I bought a brand new Vaquero in 45Colt w/4 5/8" bbl and it was shooting a little to the left. I read all about how to tweak the barrel to correct the windage on Colt SAAs. Well..... I tried it on my Ruger, and let me tell ya, don't try it. I ended up cracking the front sight off, after wrenching the *ell out of it, (and never tweaking the barrel), and eventually the barrel spun in the blocks/vice, and off came the sight. If I had to do it all over again, I'd send it back to Ruger with my target. I guess you live and learn!

Ten Wolves Fiveshooter · February 07, 2008, 07:59:53 PM

Howdy Fatelvis

Sorry to hear this , thats a REAL HARD LESSON to learn , and like you said Ruger will set it for point of aim, for $25.00, if the gun was new they would probably do it for free. Most of what I'm hearing for a while now is the Vaquero's are shooting right on for windage , but some pards have admitted that they weren't holding their gun right , and when they found the right grip , everything came into line.

Ten Wolves

Deadeye Dick · February 08, 2008, 11:16:29 AM

Pards, Thank you. Who knows you may have another Ruger shooter amongst you. Sounds like Ruger will assist with POA if too much off.
Deadeye Dick

Mustang Gregg · February 08, 2008, 12:19:02 PM

Are you talking in-hand or on a bench or on a sand bag?
It will make a difference as well as the bullet weight & velocity.

We have several 5.5" & 7.5" Vaqueros.
All POA & POI are the same when supported by 2 hands or shot Duelist or even Gunfighter.

And none will miss a 12" to 16" plate at 10 yds when you use sights.

MG

Deadeye Dick · February 08, 2008, 02:16:36 PM

I was talking about shooting in hand and not off sand bags, since that will be the way I'll be shooting. I just ordered a Ruger Vaquero, 5.5 inch barrel in stainless, so it looks like I'll be in your ranks in the near future. I also have a Blackhawk in 41 mag. I enjoy shooting it when out in the mountains.
Thank you Pard's for all of your input!!!
Deadeye Dick

Hank Rugerman · February 14, 2008, 10:32:08 PM

Deadeye...

For a while there I didn't have any steel targets to shoot at..so I improvised...I set coke cans at ~~15 yards up against a backstop.

I was knocking these things everywhere...I'd have to say for me the POA/POI was pretty much the same..

Like Mustang...two handed/off hand cocking and firing

Of course your mileage may very...

just my .02

Deadeye Dick · February 15, 2008, 09:53:00 AM

Well I got a chance to shoot it yesterday. I had a box of low power reloaded 38 spl in the ammo cabinet. Barely made more than a pop and no recoil. Got them from an estate sale. The POI was low by a couple of inches. The windage seemed to be right on. I think normal loads will print higher. I do like it. I already have the trademark Ruger ring on the cylinder. Nice weight and balance.
I had a Ruger Super Blackhawk, 10.5 in. bbl. that I used for deer hunting. When I loaded down for it to make the gun more comfortable to shoot, the POI went up not down. I always figured it was because the bullet was slower to get out the bbl. and the recoil was already in progress. I'm assuming the shorter bbl. makes the difference in POI. Any ideas?
Deadeye Dick

Trailrider · February 15, 2008, 02:32:39 PM

Howdy, Pards,

IMHO, if the POI in windage is off by more than 4 inches at 25 yds, as shot from a sandbag rest, I then check to see if that is the same when you shoot standing with the elbow on a rest. If the results are pretty much the same for both, send it back to the factory with the targets enclosed.

If LESS than 4" off in windage, file the rear notch! Right side, if the gun shoots left; left side if the gun shoots right. I have NEVER been a fan of "barrel turning", that's a job for a real pro 'smith! Shoot a little, file a little!

For elevation, decide on your load, FIRST! The file the front sight down if the gun's POI is belowe the POA!