Aldeer.com Forums Alabama Deer Talk Guns N Gear 45 Long Colt

Thinking about this caliber.. just something to park next to a 357. Thinking it would do good on pigs (pen kills).

What you guys think about it and what brand/model would you prefer? I'm not interested in "The Judge" or "Governor".. too much weight.

Single action would be fine.

thanks

I love the round. I hand load for cowboy matches and they are fairly light but you can also increase the power. If it were me and I was planning on using the gun for anything other that cowboy matches, I'd look at a Ruger Blackhawk for adjustable sights or the Vaquero if you want a more traditional looking SA revolver. I personally shoot two Cimarron Model P revolvers but there is no way I'd feed them the higher pressured rounds a Ruger will hold up to.

thank you for that info.. I was looking at the Vaquero.. Do you think it will be fine for full power loads?

Got a bunch of new and fired 45LC brass. Got rid of my Blackhawk, but they are top great guns. 4 5/8 carries well but longer barrel is better for hunting.

message me if you want to sell your brass.

new Vaqueros are not rated for full house loads like you can shoot in a blackhawk. I have a Vaquero and really like it, 5 1/2 barrel. I shoot 255gr Keith style semi wadcutters at 900fps, loaded over Unique powder.

Thanks for that info BhamFred.. Think I'll look for the Blackhawk.

There is a Ruger New Model Blackhawk Convertible that looks pretty cool. It's a 45 Long Colt with an extra .45 Auto cylinder.

Would you guys go for the 4.62" or 5.50" barrel?

thanks

I had a Vaquero in 44 magnum. I wish I had known it wasn't rated for "full house" loads. I shot it for years with no problems. What makes you say the Vaquero isn't rated for "full house" loads?

The new vaqueros don't have as heavy a frame on them as the old ones, so they say they won't hold up to hot loads like the old style.

probably because Ruger said they ain't...

old Vaqueros had a bigger frame and could handle full power loads..
new Vaqueros have a smaller frame and Ruger(and everyone else with brains) don't advise using the full, hot loads in them.

5.5 all day....

I found this on Wikipedia regarding the new Vaquero and full power loads:
Some handloads and factory manufactured cartridges put this round in the same class as the .44 Magnum.[6] These loads cannot be used in any original Colt Single-Action Army or replica thereof, such as those produced by Uberti, Beretta, the Taurus Gaucho, or the Ruger New Vaquero, as these guns are built on the smaller frame with thinner cylinder walls. These loads should be used only in modern large-frame revolvers such as the Ruger Blackhawk, Redhawk, Ruger Vaquero (erroneously referred to as the "Old Model" to differentiate it from the "New Model"), Thompson Center Contender or any gun firing the .454 Casull cartridge. Modern rifles with strong actions (such as the Winchester Model 1894, Marlin Model 1894, and new clones of the Winchester Model 1892) chambered for the cartridge can safely handle the heavier loadings.[3]

I may not have brain, but that's not the point. Ruger still makes the vaquero in 357 magnum. You're telling me it won't handle it? Can you provide a link from ruger stating your claim for those of us not as smart as you?

I didn't say YOU didn't have a brain, even though you are acting like it now. Several posts here have said the same thing I said, and no, I won't go look it up for you. Look it up yourself.

Did I ever mention the 357?? How did you make that jump?? I don't know anything about the 357 Vaquero, never said I did, or mentioned it. Again, look it up yerself...

Got a blackhawk .45 lc . Love it, they are built like a tank. can shoot mild or wild.

found a bit more info in a Ruger Forum:
The new Speer #14 reloading manual has a big bold caution in the 45 Colt Ruger & T/C only section. It says:
"Important Safety Note. Since we published the last manual, Ruger has replaced the origional Vaquero revolver with a smaller version called the New Vaquero. Ruger has advised the industry that the New Vaquero must not be fired with loads exceeding industry pressure standards (14,000 psi). If loading for a New Vaquero, use the standard pressure data in the previous data section."

I have the New Model Flattop 45 Con Blackhawk. 4 3/4" bbl. Same gun in 44 SPC. Carry them both in the woods all the time. For me, the shorter 4 3/4" is perfect

I have a Freedom Arms M-97, 4 3/4 bbl. and a Ruger Red Hawk with a 6 in bbl. both in .45 Colt. Due to the weight of the Ruger it sits in the safe most of the time. The FA M-97 is light and handy and handles full house .45 Colt loads easily. But my daily carry load for hunting etc. is 16.5 gr. of 2400 under a hard cast 255 gr. LBT bullet. I've shot completely through two deer, butt to brisket, with this load and it's very pleasent to shoot. And yes I got both deer, they ran maybe 25-30 yds and left a blood trail Ray Charles could have followed. The hard cast 255 gr. LBT bullet cuts a very neat .45 caliber hole.

I have a Freedom Arms M-97, 4 3/4 bbl. and a Ruger Red Hawk with a 6 in bbl. both in .45 Colt. Due to the weight of the Ruger it sits in the safe most of the time. The FA M-97 is light and handy and handles full house .45 Colt loads easily. But my daily carry load for hunting etc. is 16.5 gr. of 2400 under a hard cast 255 gr. LBT bullet. I've shot completely through two deer, butt to brisket, with this load and it's very pleasent to shoot. And yes I got both deer, they ran maybe 25-30 yds and left a blood trail Ray Charles could have followed. The hard cast 255 gr. LBT bullet cuts a very neat .45 caliber hole.