Light loads?

Guns Magazine, Dec, 2008 by Jeff John

Q: I just bought a new Ruger Vaquero in .45 Long Colt. Since I reload nearly everything, and have reloaded for decades, I took a look at my reloading manuals. It's astounding how much they vary. Which should I believe? The newest manuals seem to be very conservative in their loadings, but not always. I am perplexed as to what powder charge to use, and with what powder?

One manual has a special reloading section for the "modern" .45 Long Colt revolvers, but I'm thinking they are for a Blackhawk, or special ultra-strong, single-shot pistols.

I know the Vaquero is a modern firearm, but it is almost a copy of the old 1873 Colt SAA. Should I limit my Vaquero's pressure to that of an old SAA Colt? I am not asking for recommendations, just an opinion.

Mike Kelly

South Carolina

A: Ruger reduced the diameter of the cylinder on the modern Vaquero to give a more lively feel to the gun for Cowboy Action Shooters. Since they shoot light or utra-light loads, strength is not a problem, but these Vaqueros aren't meant for the heavy loads a Blackhawk can withstand.

I'd stick with loads generating 800 to 900 fps for your everyday loads with powders such as Unique, Tite Group and the like generating no more than 14,000 CUP. You may achieve 1,000 fps or so with Alliant's Blue Dot, 2400 or Hodgdon 4227 safely, too, loading a 250-grain cast bullet. You'll find your Vaquero accurate and pleasantly powerful with such bullets.

Hunters and those more interested in self-defense against large, mean critters should stick to the full-size Blackhawk or Freedom Arms for use of high-performance loads.