Could anyone with experience with this gun, tell me the best diameter bullet( .452, .453, or .454) to use in it? I'm looking to load either a 335 gr. or 340 gr. bullet for hunting.

The diameters can vary considerably, you'll want to slug it before you make a bullet order. All you really need to do is slug the chamber throats, which is exceptionally easy with the cylinder removed, and order your bullets to the size of the throats. Don't confuse yourself with the common suggestion to order .001 over the barrel diameter, you need to order the same size as the throats or your loaded rounds may not chamber. I hope you bought a Bisley if you're gonna stoke those big slugs up to full power.

Kcih-Thanks for the slugging tips. The gun I'm using is a Vaquero, but not a Bisley Vaquero. I checked Hodgdon's loads and they list loads for Ruger revolvers at 30,000 CUP. They don't specify which version of the Ruger, so I would assume I'd be safe with their load specs.

If you are not aware, Ruger has a habit of making the chamber throats undersized. My Vaquero had throats .450" and the bore was .451". The throats need to be approx .001 over the bore diameter. Any good smith could handle this. I made mine .452" and sized the bullets the same. Accuracy was exceptional with this combo.

Bigfoots comments on the Rugers proved to be very true with my revolver, and I had them opened up. As far as shooting what you have now without any modifications the only dimension you need to worry about is the throat. It is my understanding that the dimensions have been corrected to a great degree, there was almost .003 difference, in the wrong direction, between the throats and barrel in my Bisley(non Vaquero).

The Ruger loads apply to your revolver just the same as a Bisley Vaquero, Blackhawk, Bisley, or Redhawk for that matter. I made the remark because you'd probably find the recoil more pleasant with the Bisley grip frame when shooting these sledgehammers. It's my preference in grips, but opinions vary. I tend to get the web of my hand cut by the back of the hammer when I shoot full power heavy bullets load in the standard blackhawk type grip frame.

I have never found the recoil of any of the single action Rugers to be a problem, I can't say the same for their double action guns. I sort of let the recoil rock it back for a good thumbing position for the hammer. I have to admit that I never shot anything hotter in this gun than the Cor-Bon 300 gr. 1300 FPS-1126 ft.lbs. I just got the dies for this today, so it will be my first shot at handloading the .45 LC. I'd like to take it hunting, and wanted to use a hard cast lead bullet in the 320-360gr. range.

I traded mine. There is no way to adjust the sights.Mine shot 6" left of point of aim at 25 yards. Also it shot about 6" low. I did not want to file down the front sight to adjust to the weight of bullets. Its a sturdy firearm with an ok trigger. The trigger could be fixed.Some say the barrel can be bent to get it to shoot straight. I traded the gun and plan to replace it with a top quality gun that will appreciate in value over the years.

I traded the gun and plan to replace it with a top quality gun that will appreciate in value over the years.

A gun that appreciates in value? Man, let me in on that deal!!


HKW