Help.
I have a new Ruger New Vaquero and I need help to improve its accuracy. I have attached a scan of my last target, fired with a commercial cast 255 grain SWC Bevel Base, at a mere 830 fps. As you can see, I need to do something as this group was fired one handed at 20 yards. Seven of the 10 shots went into 1.65 inches, but the other three opened the group to 2.5 inches.
Should I lap the barrel, fire-lap, send the gun off for a custom trigger job, or find a gunsmith who could tune the whole thing? Perhaps a barrel replacement? Or just check for loose screws?
:)

The first thing I did with my Vaquero was to send it off the www.cylindersmith.com (http://www.cylindersmith.com) to open the cylinder throats to .4525 for shooting cast. Don't know how the throats are on the new ones, but the original vaqueros had real tight throats. Also, how are your groups off the bench?

Jim

Help.
I have a new Ruger New Vaquero and I need help to improve its accuracy. I have attached a scan of my last target, fired with a commercial cast 255 grain SWC Bevel Base, at a mere 830 fps. As you can see, I need to do something as this group was fired one handed at 20 yards. Seven of the 10 shots went into 1.65 inches, but the other three opened the group to 2.5 inches.
Should I lap the barrel, fire-lap, send the gun off for a custom trigger job, or find a gunsmith who could tune the whole thing? Perhaps a barrel replacement? Or just check for loose screws?
:)

Wish I could shoot that good of group off-hand:D

I agree that it's not too bad a group. I certainly wouldn't ship it off with only this small a shooting history. Then too, bevel-base bullets have never been known for great accuracy. A true flat base would almost certainly do better, especially if it were also softer than commercial cast slugs and sized to fit your cylinder throats.

Don't go making any irrevocable gun changes until you've explored quite a few very changeable ammo options.

I think you are pulling our legs, shooting so good with one hand! :D
However, if you are serious, check the throats and dump the BB boolits.
I had a BB mold here and after I cut it out of the mold and made a FB, groups were cut in half.

What do you think of the new Vaquero in general? I was looking at one in .357 and thinking it would be a great companion to my 1894C. I had two Blackhawks in 357, one I sold when I was younger and one i evidently gave to my brother.
Andy

In addition to checking the cyinder throats, a check of the forcing cone could be informative. I usually have to recut the forcing cones on most of my new revolvers. They can be rough or non concentric. Cleaning them up can improve accuracy.

Check all cylinder throat diameters, and slug it before getting carried away.

Easy enough to do with a box of .454" or slightly larger muzzleloader roundballs.

If the throats are uniform, larger than groove diameter, and you don't have a bad constriction under the frame threads.... I would just shoot it and enjoy.

When trying to determine the best possible accuracy of any firearm, one must take as much variation out of the situation as possible. Shooting one handed at 20 yards proves absolutely nothing, unless you might be Bob Munden incognito. You need to sit down and have a good solid rest and shoot nice slow 6 shot groups. There is no such thing as a good 1-5/8" group... except for the three flyers. Unless you call a flyer at the shot, before you look at the target, it counts. You need to measure the powder carefully for handloads, at least give the bullets a good visual, and use components known to produce good accuracy. So lose the BB bullets for the accuracy test.
Checking the chambers and opening them if needed is always a good idea. Slugging the barrel and lapping it nevers hurts either. But, you might not see any results, or even the smallest positive impacts, from such activities on your targets. Shooting offhand your targets may be worse if your nervous system is having an off day.
Since having cancer surgery, I am getting more into shotgun shooting, since all my results look like they came from a shotgun anyway.

al_sway, sounds like from your post you are speaking tongue-in-cheek, and are actually quite happy with the way your Vaquero shoots. That is a pretty decent group for shooting one handed!

Seriously though, it may be worth checking the throat diameter of each chamber. Since you are using a 255gr bullet, I'm guessing it's a 45 Colt? Ruger's single action 45 Colts notoriously have small throats, which can easily be opened up yourself or by sending the cylinder off and paying about $30. Correctly sizing the throats to .4525" may improve your groups a bit (can't hurt) and will cut down on barrel leading quite a bit; it's definitely worth doing.

I've had 3 Blackhawks in 45 Colt, they all had undersized throats. The .44 Mags don't seem to have this problem.

When trying to determine the best possible accuracy of any firearm, one must take as much variation out of the situation as possible. Shooting one handed at 20 yards proves absolutely nothing, unless you might be Bob Munden incognito. . .
. . . or a human Ransom rest.

A cousin-in-law of mine likes to tell about the time he was shooting along side of Bill Blankenship. Bill adjusted his sights because he was shooting low 10s instead of Xs. :eek:

If I'm sending shots left, it's usually because I'm pushing the trigger instead of pulling it straight back.

Bye
Jack

bfrshooter and zthang,
Thanks.
I should have known better; people are far too serious on this forum, but there is also lots of good information. I will try harder to be serious.
Yes, I called the shots out of the group. I test all of my pistol loads in the same way, as I don't have a Ransom Rest. I always figure that if they are all going in the 10 ring then the bullets, load and gun are good enough.
I appreciate all of the helpful suggestions, and when I have a chance, I will measure the throats.
Until then, I am satisfied with the accuracy potential of this Ruger New Vaquero. I should be able to hit those pesky Cowboy steel targets at 5-7 yards, I expect.
Jack Monteith, Interesting story. I can sympathize, as my Walther GSP doesn't have a great range of precision adjustment and I have found myself challenged in moving the group from the top of the 10 ring to the centre - one click would move it to the bottom. Need better sights I guess.

I have a pair of Old model Vaquero .45 cylinders ready to ship to the gent whose web site is below. If anyone is interested you can click on the link and he tells about his theory of the reasons .45 Vaqueros suffer in the accuracy department....And he tells what he will do to correct the problem. He's in northern Oregon and came to my attention well reccomended in the CASS arena.
Regards;
Al.


www.alaskais.com/45Cylinderdoctor


I just tried clicking on the link and it didn't work. Howsoever, if you cut and paste it in your address bar it will take you to John's website. Regards; Al

"I am satisfied with the accuracy potential of this Ruger New Vaquero."
That target offhand with an untuned factory gun, fixed iron sights, and your basic who-knows-what factory ammo....Yeah, I expect that you should be happy.
The first thing that I'd change is the ammo. It may be the only thing to change if you are happy with the trigger.
Mine shoots to the left also.
Pete