unique powder loads for ruger old vaquero 45 lc

[webradbury]

My question is 8 grains of unique behind a 230 grain lrn... in a Ruger old model vaquero 45lc ( I guess it is an old model... I bought it new in 1998). anyone have any experience with this load pistol combo? I just want to make sure I'm not overloading the pistol... I have no desire to make a magnum out of the round. Thanks

[Moonie]

The old Vaquero should be as strong as my new model Blackhawk and I shoot 10gr Unique behind a 300gr boolit. You should be good.

If this is a newer small frame Vaquero you certainly would not want anything approaching my load above.

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

Yep,
8 to 9 gr. of unique behind a 230 to 255 gr. boolit is my Pet load.
In a good quality, modern gun...like any Ruger.
Jon

[rintinglen]

Lyman lists loads from 7.3 to 9.3 grains of Unique with a 230 grain boolit. I use 8.5 with the 454-424 in my new model Ruger. 8.0 should be as safe as if you were in God's own pocket. The old Model Vaquero was built on the New Model Frame, and thats the one that they make all those "Ruger only" loads for.

[webradbury]

Thanks for the advice...just wanted to be sure. Will

[44man]

Yes 8 gr sure will be good. I don't consider Unique a hunting load in the strong Vaquero but I just use 7 gr of Unique for fun shooting and it is pop can accurate to 50 yards or more.
It does not seem to matter for accuracy with Unique, all the favorite loads shown here will shoot good.

[PS Paul]

Like above, you are fine with that load. I have a new model BH flattop in .45 colt on the new, smaller frame and shoot .452 250 gr. RNFP that I cast with 8.6 gr. Unique for fine accuracy. I don't like to use much more than that in any gun though, becasue I believe switching to a slower powder is appropriate at that point. Otherwise, you are good to go and feel super-confident this is a safe and relatively low-pressure (below 23,000 CUP as I recall without checking) load.
Good Times!
Paul

[RobS]

An old model will just say Ruger Vaquero on the side where as the new ones will say Ruger New Vaquero and yes 8 grains of Unique under a 230 to 250 grain boolit regardless of which revolver you have will work fine and tends to be pretty accurate from most revolvers. I use 8.5 grains of Herco underneith a 260 grain LFN style boolit for my wife's plinkers.