New Model Vaquero?

[ZVP]

I own a Stainless 4 5/8" .357 New Model and have a few questions?
I bought the revolver to shoot mainly wit .38Specials and CAS Loads for plinking and informal Target shooting.
I have tried the revolver with several full Factory .357 Magnums to just get the "feel" of it but havent shot even a full box of 50 Magnums through it.
I was wondering, is this smaller framed New Model designed to use Factory .357 Magnum loads exclusivelly? Will their sole use hammer the gun apart?
Owning other Rugers I seriouslly doubt any damage will occur as they are built like tanks! I just want to know what this revolver is capable of?
I just need this question answered by someone with more expertice than I have, OK?
ZVP

 

[gak]

You are good to go with virtually any .357 load. Shoot enough .38s--as many do for practice and plinking anyway--and you'll want to clean the cylinder bores from leading before resuming .357. The .45 in the New Vaquero is the only one with the caution against super hot or "Ruger Only" loads due mostly to the thin measurement between cylinder bores (vs the large frame original Vaquero and Blackhawk). The .357 in the NV has plenty of meat to withstand hotter loads and therefore only subject to limitations of the shooter and how comfortable firing the gun is to you. A larger gun of the same chambering almost always will have reduced felt recoil..and possibly over the very long haul, longer service life/reduced wear if consistently shooting "super hot" loads (true of any caliber). Standard off-the-shelf fare--of which there is some pretty warm stuff out there--and "most" folks' reloads, you're good to go.

And it's not "New Model," it just confuses...it's just plain New Vaquero. New Model denotes ANY Ruger SA built after '73 with the transfer bar mechanism.
Good luck and enjoy!

 

[KWYJIBO]

What gak said.

Feed the New Vaquero a steady diet .357 Magnums, even the most powerful factory loads available. Your hand will wear out before it will.

 

[JimMarch1]

You do not own a "New Model Vaquero" - there's no such gun by that name.

You own a "New Vaquero". When you use the term "New Model Vaquero". God kills a kitten.

Sigh.

Please, just listen - there's a reason misuse of the "New Model" term grates on our nerves. All Ruger SAs made from 1973 forward are "New Model" actions, including all of the Vaqueros - large frame original series or New Vaquero mid-size frame. "New Model" refers to a revised safety. We have to be able to tell the original no-safety "Old Model" series from the New Model drop-safe guns.

So. Please. Yes, it's Ruger's fault but we cannot pollute the term "New Model". It has to mean "has a friggin' safety in it".

 

[maxpress]

Think of it as a 357 built out of a 45. Plenty of extra metal.
Like gak said. The only caution is the originals were built like a SBH so the 45s could handle 44mag velocity. Not so with the new ones.
I would trust a 357 NV to a long life of heavy 357 loads.

 

[flatgate]

Sorry about the harsh criticism over your terminology........

It's best to refer to Ruger's fixed sight revolvers by what's rollmarked on their cylinder frames. Vaquero or New Vaquero.

:D

flatgate

 

[reuben_j_cogburn]

Speaking only for myself... vaquero, new vaquero, new model vaquero does not grate on my nerves....
It only speaks of the frustration caused by executives who wear their neckties a bit to tight....
Next thing you know they will bring out a new model rifle and call it a Hawkeye or something.... or is it a new hawkeye?....
Oh well.. I guess all the good names have been taken...
No wait.. They should call it the Rast-gasser!!!

 

[street]

You do not own a "New Model Vaquero" - there's no such gun by that name.

You own a "New Vaquero". When you use the term "New Model Vaquero". God kills a kitten.

Sigh.

Please, just listen - there's a reason misuse of the "New Model" term grates on our nerves. All Ruger SAs made from 1973 forward are "New Model" actions, including all of the Vaqueros - large frame original series or New Vaquero mid-size frame. "New Model" refers to a revised safety. We have to be able to tell the original no-safety "Old Model" series from the New Model drop-safe guns.

So. Please. Yes, it's Ruger's fault but we cannot pollute the term "New Model". It has to mean "has a friggin' safety in it".

What about the Ruger Old Armys made after 1973. They are revolvers, are they new models? Oh! It's only a New Vaquero when you buy it from a gun shop. After you use it it's a "Old Vaquero".

 

[street]

Sorry about the harsh criticism over your terminology........

It's best to refer to Ruger's fixed sight revolvers by what's rollmarked on their cylinder frames. Vaquero or New Vaquero.

:D

flatgate

Does that apply to the 44 special flattops, that are stamped Vaquero???

 

[gak]

Sorry about the harsh criticism over your terminology........

It's best to refer to Ruger's fixed sight revolvers by what's rollmarked on their cylinder frames. Vaquero or New Vaquero.

:D

flatgate

Does that apply to the 44 special flattops, that are stamped Vaquero???

Ruger oddly marked those .44s that even though they are the mid-frame New Vaqueros--as well as now refers in their literature regarding all their fixed sight centerfire SAs just as "Vaqueros" though they are referring only to NVs. SO, I'd just keep calling them New Vaqueros, the rule being that all factory Ruger .44 Specials--fixed or adjustable sight--are the mid-frame,...and that all currently CATALOGUED guns with the phrase Vaquero on the frame--regardless of any other descriptor or lack of--are New Vaqueros, irrepespective of caliber. Regardless of anything else, they are all "New Model Rugers."

 

[street]

Sorry about the harsh criticism over your terminology........

It's best to refer to Ruger's fixed sight revolvers by what's rollmarked on their cylinder frames. Vaquero or New Vaquero.

:D

flatgate

Does that apply to the 44 special flattops, that are stamped Vaquero???

Ruger oddly marked those .44s that even though they are the mid-frame New Vaqueros--as well as now refers in their literature regarding all their fixed sight centerfire SAs just as "Vaqueros" though they are referring only to NVs.

Does that mean that all those "cleanup" centerfire guns that Ruger are shipping now are "New Vaquero" too???

I think that the person that came up with using what's stamped on the frame of the Vaqueros to make it simple for the new collector to understand what model Vaquero they have. Well, they need to come up with a different idea. Cause it an't working, when you have all of these exceptions.


Just remember. "All Vaquero are "New Model" Even the "Old Model Vaqueros", are "New Models. Even if they have all of the blueing worn off and grips cracked and broken, "THEY ARE STILL NEW MODELS" :lol: :lol: :lol: Hope this doesn't confuse anyone :twisted:

 

[Olsherm]

What really "grates" on my nerves is everybody "chiding" a fellow about what he calls his Ruger. Let him call it what he wants to. It is a free country. That stuff is getting kinda old. MHO

 

[mattsbox99]

What really "grates" on my nerves is everybody "chiding" a fellow about what he calls his Ruger. Let him call it what he wants to. It is a free country. That stuff is getting kinda old. MHO

+10,000,000,000

If its said once, why does it need to be repeated endlessly?


---

Welcome to RF! Your .357 Mag New Vaquero is perfectly capable of lasting a lifetime digesting any SAAMI approved load, and will serve you very well shooting CAS!

 

[ZVP]

OK, OK I get it now!
I ran some real hot Factory stuff through the revolver yesterday and it ate them without even a burp! Recoil was very brisk, as was Muzzle blast from the 4 5/8 BBL but nothing objectionable When touching those "Hotties" off, you could just feel the Ruger build qualityQ Assuridlly the revolver was made to handle the stuff!
My oversize faux Stag grips filled the hand perfectly and helped spread the recoil over the whole hand better than the skinny rubber grips!
The power contained in a cylinder-full of Full-House .357's is awsome! I can't understand those who say this revolver should have never been chambered in this caliber? Having that power on tap and in a sturdy firearm is comforting!
I am not fond of shooting anyones "Hot" Handloads in any revolver as you never really know what you're setting off! I do shoot mild and mid range reloads and only from people who's work I trust.
I don't plan on a feeding constant diet of hot loads for this beauty. Just for hunting and self-defense. Hopefully the latter will never be required of the revolver!
I tried some Winchester Cowboy Loads and was suprised at the recoil from the 158gr, 250 ft/lbs muzzle energy were actually pretty lively! I am sure knockdowns would go over.
I also got the oppurtunity to compare a 7 1/2" .45LC Vaquero. What a sweetheart! Recoil from 250gr Cowboy loads was about equal to a mid-range .38Special Factory Load. Very plesant and accurate.
I think that i will still stick to my short barreled .357 Vaquero though!
ZVP

 

[Rclark]

...What a sweetheart! Recoil from 250gr Cowboy loads was about

Watch it! You may get hooked on shooting .45 Colt! :) ... and there are those powder puff cowboy loads and then there are 'real' .45 Colt loads :) . Usually at least one of my .45 Colt revolvers goes with me to the range ... and into the field as well. I prefer the 5 1/2" barrel length over the short 4 5/8" and the long 7 1/2". Works for me!

 

[ZVP]

Oh I got hung-up on "real" .45LC's way back in the early 1980's!
I just chose the .357 Vaquero because of the lower cost in loading the .38 Special rounds. I planned on doing a lot of shooting and frankily the big .45 has a huge hunger for powder
Man when I ordered the Vaquero it was SOOOO hard not to just say "Gimme the .45"! I just allowed my pratical side rule. Thelower cost of a .38 is already showing up!
ZVP

 

[CraigC]

.....and the belligerent, argumentative crap from street continues. :roll:

 

[Rclark]

the big .45 has a huge hunger for powder

Powder isn't so expensive ... it's the bullets. I just spent $200 for 1500 bullets :eek: ....

BTW, I have a .22LR Single Action that I use for a lot of my target shooting.... Helps a lot on the cost, and I find it helps me in the accuracy department when shooting the big guns.... win win.... Learning to limit my range sessions to around 100 rounds for the .45 Colt/.44Spec/.44Mag... but unlimited on the .22 :) .

 

[street]

.....and the belligerent, argumentative crap from street continues. :roll:

There is something about the kettle and the word black. Not sure what it is but what ever I say I,m sure the the foremost authority on everthing will correct me. I can't think what his name is, not very important anyway, but I'm sure that enough people that he has insulted on this forum will know him :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[CraigC]

Powder isn't so expensive ... it's the bullets. I just spent $200 for 1500 bullets :eek: ....

I don't know what kind of cast bullets you're using but this caster is local (20mins away) and puts out some good stuff. Shouldn't be too bad on shipping. Might save you some money.

http://www.tennesseevalleybullets.com/products/bullets.html

I'm heavily dependent on the .22LR as well but got me a .38Spl Rodeo II for a little more affordable single action sixgunning.

 

[Rclark]

I've been using Rimrock bullets here in Montana. Those are good prices. $47 vs $65 that I pay per 500 of 255g SWC. I just might have to get some to see how they work. Thanks!

I have a couple .357 sixguns too.... but seems I am always jumping over them from .22 to the .4x revolvers. I don't know exactly why, but I do! The .22 I use most is a Heritage Rough Rider. You can't miss with it (well, I can... but if I do my part, it will hit what I aim at) . For a cheapo $200 gun, I can't complain. I have a little Colt Frontier Scout too, but it shoots to the right, so not as fun to plink with.

 

[CraigC]

You're welcome, hope it helps.

I don't play much with the .357 either and also tend to skip right past it. In fact, after trading my 50th .357 six months ago, my only sixgun in that chambering is an OMBH destined to become something more useful. I do like a good .38Spl though for economical plinking and pest control and the USFA is plenty strong enough for the Keith .38-44 load if I'm feeling frisky.