I bought a stainless Vaquero in .45 Colt with the 4.62 inch barrel, shortly after they came out. It had the billboard on the left side of the barrel. I'd have to go through my papers to see what I paid for it. I replaced the Blackhawk style hammer with the later Colt style hammer. I had to have the barrel turned to get it to shoot POA-POI. I filed the front sight down as well as it shot several inches high. Having done all this, it's one of my favorites. My intention was to use this for a back up and self protection against black bears and cougars while deer hunting. It fills that role very well. I would not part with it. Period.
Around 2005, I bought another one just like it. In the "non cataloged" .44 magnum caliber, for the same purpose. The gun I bought was a "clean up" gun. Its serial number is not listed within the serial number range found for this gun's original production run. I paid $695.00 with shipping. This gun had to have the barrel tightened as well and the front sight lowered also. In addition, the cylinder had a couple chambers with reamer marks inside. The factory replaced that cylinder. I will not sell this gun for any price as well.
The original poster tried to sell his gun in Indiana. Are there any large predators in Indiana? Maybe that has something to do with his having a problem selling it. I agree that it would sell better out west or further north. He would have had better luck selling it on Gun Broker. The pool of potential buyers is more vast. I bought the .44 magnum on Gun Broker. It came from a drug store in North Dakota.
My sons will have to draw straws for these revolvers when I pass. Guns are like tools. Different tools for different purposes. A good mechanic has a large assortment of tools. I carry a Glock 43 daily here in St Louis. If I head to southern Missouri deep into the state forest, I'll be packing one of the heavy hitters.
Right now there is an over-emphasis on self protection guns due to what's' going on in our society in general. That doesn't mean that a Ruger Vaquero with a 4.62 inch barrel in .44 magnum is not desirable, or will only bring $450.00.
Someone that needs it will buy it.