Custom .480 Ruger New Vaquero

[SteveM]

I've posted this on a couple of other forums, and figure some of you guys might dig it also.........and yes, It shoots as good as it looks :smile:

Details:
Jack Huntingon .480 Ruger New Vaquero (mid size frame)
Custom oversized 5 shot cylinder w/ recessed chambers
4 3/4" re-bored S&W Model 29 barrel
S&W J frame rear sight
stock gripframe was extended/reshaped with fancy English walnut grips
Super Blackhawk hammer
No. 5 basepin
scalloped recoil shield, loading gate
Turnbull CCH/ Polished blue done in house
Nitre blue accents with pins slotted to look like screws

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d150/stevemikel2/100_2775_zps81c0f439.jpg (http://s34.photobucket.com/user/stevemikel2/media/100_2775_zps81c0f439.jpg.html)
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d150/stevemikel2/100_2762_zps6e7e96e7.jpg (http://s34.photobucket.com/user/stevemikel2/media/100_2762_zps6e7e96e7.jpg.html)
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d150/stevemikel2/100_2756_zps4e8a773a.jpg (http://s34.photobucket.com/user/stevemikel2/media/100_2756_zps4e8a773a.jpg.html)
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d150/stevemikel2/IMG_0903_zpsb4ef50f8.jpg (http://s34.photobucket.com/user/stevemikel2/media/IMG_0903_zpsb4ef50f8.jpg.html)

[C. Latch]

It's beautiful.

How does it shoot?

[Love Life]

Wow. I would not put a gun that nice on a rusty metal can, or a log!! Translation: That revolver is simply stunning.

[Hickory]

A few years ago Hamilton Bowen offered to build for me the same gun in the same caliber, but just had my shoulder operated on and didn't feel my shoulder would ever get back to where I would ever enjoy shooting something like that.

Let us know more about how it shoots, recoil, and other details about it as they unfold.

[SteveM]

It shoots great, I love the sights!! I thought recoil would be brutal with such a big bullet in a small package. That's not the case at all, it's a very pleasant gun to shoot. Even with a 420gr bullet over 19gr of H-110 it feels no worse than shooting a 44 magnum. It won't see a steady diet of heavy loads, 99% of the time it will see a 375gr bullet @ 900 or so FPS

PS- It was very very gently place on the log and rusty old can for the pictures :p

[DrCaveman]

Oh man that thing looks nice. Congrats, many many

A few questions though (since you are displaying an immediately enlisted 'top 3' gun on my to-get list):

-can the new vaquero frame withstand the 48k psi of the cartridge?
-does it maintain the transfer bar of the NV or use the 4-click version with pin on hammer?
-how is the recoil with a gun of that modest (read:easily packable) stature?

Nice job, i am sure you enjoy it. Good shooting to ya

[SteveM]

The frame is plenty strong and no problem with the 5 shot cylinder holding up as long as published data is used

Still maintains the transfer bar......and the action is super smooth

The recoil is no worse than a 44 mag

[Love Life]

Turnbull fire arms finishes are worth EVERY penny. That revolver is so fine!! I bet hot women ask for your phone number at the range.

[shoot-n-lead]

That gun is simply beautiful.

Congrats!

[Ia.redneck]

That is a beauty!
Mr. Huntington is a master at his trade! Congrats!

[scattershot]

That is truly a beautiful pistol. Congrats, and good shooting.

[44man]

Jack is a master and he loves Rugers. If it wasn't strong enough he would not do it. He opens the frame to take the larger cylinder and the gun is still strong enough.
One of the most beautiful I ever seen and the color is stunning.

[161]

Very nice.

[Rick R]

Beautiful revolver! It boggles the mind that something similar isn't a stock item for Ruger. IMHO it would be a much better launch pad for the .480 than the Super Redhawk.

[odis]

Beautiful revolver! It boggles the mind that something similar isn't a stock item for Ruger. IMHO it would be a much better launch pad for the .480 than the Super Redhawk.I agree, why not a 5 shot SBH or Bisley? If it can be done on a new vaquero frame why not the larger blackhawk frame?

[TheGrimReaper]

Turnbull fire arms finishes are worth EVERY penny. That revolver is so fine!! I bet hot women ask for your phone number at the range.

Very well said!!!

[osteodoc08]

That is gorgeous. I'm really impressed with the blending of the Smith parts and the small details like the slotted pins to look like screws. The CCH is as to be expected from TBR, amazing.

Definitely a nice piece for sure.

[gray wolf]

I had to look at the pictures 3 times, !!! WOW !!! is all that comes to mind.
The rear sight looks like it was melted into the frame, Enjow, Enjoy, Enjoy.

[Bullshop Junior]

Wow. That is a beauty. Much want.

[DougGuy]

I'm quite surprised he chose the medium frame for this platform, given the 48k pressure ceiling of the cartridge. Not at all saying it isn't safe or it was a judgement call, not saying that at all, I am just surprised that the platform chosen wasn't the older larger Vaquero frame.

That said, whoa that is ONE BEEEEEUUUUUTIFUL piece of work! #Stunning to say the least. I have wanted almost the same gun in .50 Special but it's nowhere near as powerful as the .480 Ruger. What boolits fit into the 1150-1200f/s velocity for that fine custom?

[SteveM]

Thanks for the comments everyone. Here's a new picture for the top of page 2 :p
http://i1334.photobucket.com/albums/w656/stevemikel1/IMG_0906.jpg (http://s1334.photobucket.com/user/stevemikel1/media/IMG_0906.jpg.html)


I'm quite surprised he chose the medium frame for this platform, given the 48k pressure ceiling of the cartridge. Not at all saying it isn't safe or it was a judgement call, not saying that at all, I am just surprised that the platform chosen wasn't the older larger Vaquero frame.

I was in Jack's shop about a year and a half ago and they had a couple of mid frame 480's they were finishing up. I thought it was the neatest little package and had to have one of my own. I think it's the perfect platform for the 480. The cylinder will take a bullet with a .4" nose to crimp with room to spare.

[BigAl52]

Its a very nice looking gun. But I want to be the nosey one. What does it cost to have something like that done? Al

[coverbw]

Fit for a center-fold!

[mrk_86]

wow that's a awesome

[warboar_21]

I agree, why not a 5 shot SBH or Bisley? If it can be done on a new vaquero frame why not the larger blackhawk frame?

I asked the guys at the Ruger booth at the Shot Show a few years ago about coming out with a Blackhawk in 480 Ruger. They said that the frame wasn't strong enough to handle years and years of abuse from a cartridge like the 480 Ruger or a 475 Linebaugh. They said that they have to stand behind their product for a lifetime while a gunsmith can build a handgun and doesn't have to warranty it for a lifetime. This is why they chose to put it in the Super Redhawk frame as it is their strongest frame they make. This is exactly what was told to me and i'm just repeating what they said.
I for one would love to have a Ruger single action in 480 Ruger or 475 Linebaugh.

[SteveM]

Another thing, These 480/475/500's that the custom gunsmiths build are held to much tighter tolerances than a stock Ruger, the custom parts are all hand fit.

[44man]

I asked the guys at the Ruger booth at the Shot Show a few years ago about coming out with a Blackhawk in 480 Ruger. They said that the frame wasn't strong enough to handle years and years of abuse from a cartridge like the 480 Ruger or a 475 Linebaugh. They said that they have to stand behind their product for a lifetime while a gunsmith can build a handgun and doesn't have to warranty it for a lifetime. This is why they chose to put it in the Super Redhawk frame as it is their strongest frame they make. This is exactly what was told to me and i'm just repeating what they said.
I for one would love to have a Ruger single action in 480 Ruger or 475 Linebaugh.
Makes a lot of sense to tell the truth. My answer is to buy a BFR. Not the beauty of jacks, but will last a lifetime or many more.

[bedbugbilly]

That's a beauty! Congrats and enjoy! Thanks for sharing . . . . now I have to go wipe the drool off of my chin. :-)

[kweidner]

Its a very nice looking gun. But I want to be the nosey one. What does it cost to have something like that done? Al

I can't give exact numbers but have looked on the website many times. Enough my salary can't afford it but not enough as beautiful as it is not to at least dream. I have often thought for me the practicality of something like that. I couldn't bring myself to shoot it. It would spend it's days in the safe. I am ocd about my firearms. I had a model 99 savage redone years ago with collectors grade wood and the deepest blue I have ever seen. It spends it's life retired now. As much as I would like something that beautiful, I learned a lesson with that savage. I use em as tools. Please no one take it the wrong way that thing is just to pretty to shoot. Id have to have one built in field grade instead of premium. :-P

[SteveM]

I was shooting it about a half hour after I picked it up. I use them as tools also, just very pretty tools. I don't abuse my customs, not at all. As pretty as they are, there isn't anything on them can't be fixed or replaced.
Customs are expensive no doubt about it, and they can take well over a year to complete in some cases. What I do is try to put away couple hundred dollars a month, that way when it's finished I've got most of the money saved.

[High Desert Hunter]

Steve, I stole your picture and posted it on another forum, I am quite taken with this beauty. Truth is, Ruger would not want to spend the $$ to set up for a 5 shot BH or Vaquero, in 6 shot form, this wouldn't be possible, even on a full sized frame. Look at how many 5 shot 45 Colts there are out there that operate over the max pressure of what this gem does. This gun, with regular use, and staying within established load data, will last several lifetimes if cared for, and will be an easy packing, powerful tool for anyone who carries it. Thanks for sharing Steve.

[SteveM]

Steve, I stole your picture and posted it on another forum

That's great, I like showing it off! What forum? I'd love to read the comments.

[High Desert Hunter]

Frontier Sixshooter!