Ruger Old Model Vaquero Sheriffs 3 3/4

[donjose]

I was wondering how much velocity you loose in 45LC when going from a 7.00 barrel to a 3 3/4 barrel length?
I was looking at Linebaugh web page and he list velocity with a 7 inch barrel an a 310GR LEAD SWC H-110 with 23gr @ 1330 FPS 30,000 cup, and I am trying to figure out how much per inch you loose?

Thanks
Jason

[donjose]

I guess what I am wondering will I be able to get 1050-1100 fps so I can use it as a hunting gun for deer,hogs,elk,bear?I am not worried about the short barrel as far as site picture but am also wondering should I try to find a 5.5 or 4 .62 barrel?

Jason

[David LaPell]

The common rule seems to be around 55-60 fps for ever inch of barrel. For a hunting gun, you would be better off with a 4 5/8 or 5 1/2 inch barrel.

[donjose]

Thanks so much 1050-1100 is right in that range at 60fps per inch drop.I like short barreled guns for ease of packin around.


Jason

[EDK]

Conventional wisdom says 35+ feet per second per inch of barrel. Your results may vary from this.

I've been looking for one of those little cannons for awhile, except in 357 or maybe custom cut a 44 BUT it wouldn't be as a hunting gun. Muzzle blast and recoil would be pretty tough to handle. Fixed sights are another negative....I shoot 48+ rounds daily through one of several pairs of VAQUEROS/BISLEY VAQUEROS in 357 or 44 with 5.5 or 7.5 inch barrels.

Take a look at a 5.5 inch 44 SUPER BLACKHAWK...and get a good trigger job done on it. It will carry nicely and is heavy enough not to jar your fillings loose. Use it as your primary hunting gun and the Sheriff's Model 45 with standard loads as a "new york reload" if you like insurance against mechanical gun failures. "I like lots of rounds available when I'm shooting at something that might damage ME!"

:cbpour::redneck::Fire:

[donjose]

Thanks for the replys!!



Jason;-)

[gon2shoot]

I don't shoot a short one, but from 7" to 5 1/2 I only loose about 50fps.

[donjose]

I guess I will put 21.0-22.00 h110 in it and start standing on it



Jason

[wellfedirishman]

DonJose,

The Sheriff's Model in 357 and 44mag are really nice and handy. I shoot cowboy loads out of both (about 800 fps with Trailboss) and they shoot really well.

The 44 handles hunting loads (200 gr hardcast +22 grains of H110) comfortably. You would be surprised how easy they are to shoot. I am not sure I'd want to try a 300 grainer with this gun, but I am confident the gun handle it.

Edit: Here's a pic along with the latest addition to the family, a Single Six 22LR Sheriff's Model:

http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm138/wellfedirishman/Cowboy%20guns/RugerSnubbies.jpg

[donjose]

I guess I will put my helmet on for saftey:Fire:

[harvester]

I have one in bright stainless and I agree that the short barrel is sweet for carrying and the fact it has a short sight radius does not bother me either. I dont know about bullet speed loss but I suspect the others estimates are about right. I use a 300 grain bullet and believe it is enough.

[ironhead7544]

With heavy loads the recoil will be nasty. I loaded some 44 cal 320 gr LWFNGC up to 1060 in a 4 and 5/8 Vaquero. Took some skin off my thumb. With the 45 Colt, 900 fps with a 260 gr will work for most game. Still wont be too comfortable with a light gun. MagNaPort would help.

[harvester]

A 45colt does not recoil as snappy as a 44 magnum due to lower pressure. I think it will be just fine.

[frank505]

My wife bought me one some years ago for birthday/christmas. I used it enough to wear off the factory finish, had Dustin reblue it, and restock it. It is now looking pretty worn again. Put a windage adjustable front sight on it, file it match whatever load you pick and shoot it. My normal load for it and the other 45 is 21.2 of WC 820, Rem 21/2 , starline case and 310 Keith. Chronos at 1075 from the short one, in the 5 1/2 inch it does 1228.
It is a real handy sixgun.

[felix]

Lower acceleration of boolit, not lower pressure behind the boolit. The exhaust mass of the powder can be considered as well, but the numbers would be insignificant compared to that of the boolit. ... felix

[Matthew 25]

I'd try H110 first, but I wouldn't be surprised if you end up using something a little faster.

[harvester]

Well in a 45colt a slower pressure spike due to larger case volume does yield less felt recoil, as compared to 44magnum. At least to me.

[felix]

Again, Harvester, it is a function of where the projectile (weight) is within the barrel, and the rate of velocity CHANGE (of that weight) at that exact spot (boolit center average) within the barrel. The closer to your hand where that point is within the barrel, the less recoil your hand will feel. Also, heavier the gun, lighter the recoil at that same spot using the same exact load. ... felix

A good example would be to say that a 250 grain 44 and a 250 grain 45 would have identical recoil when the boolit is exactly 8 inches away from your hand center and changing velocity exactly at the same rate at that barrel location, while assuming the weight of the gun is exactly the same throughout the whole gun. Well, you know that is about impossible by the way guns are manufactured. A 8.5 inch model 27, 29, 57, etc. are nowhere near the same weight. ... felix

[harvester]

No difference of opinion there Felix. I got in my head though that acceleration with identical bullet weights and powder charges are different with 44 magnum and 45 colt due to larger volume of 45colt giving slower acceleration which results in less felt recoil. I think this is the advantage of the 45colt when using heavier bullets. Bullet energy usually favors 44 mag due to bullet speed but he 45colt feels better to my hand. I doubt targets know the difference.

[felix]

Yes, the targets won't know the difference. The 41 caliber has shown to have more penetration at the same weight and speed over the 44 and 45, and the 44 over the 45 ever so slightly. This assumes wadcutters, or at least the same shape. This has to do with our scrappy lead being of such a composition as to exhibit this. As the boolit gets wider, it shortens naturally to maintain the same weight. What we are talking about is the ratio of the width to the length of the same mass. Lead would rather mash more at the target when it is wider. My specific observations were with Keiths, AIR dropped WW. Targets were tree trunks and steel plates. An eye opener for sure when considering the pop gun velocities used.