.45LC loading for Cowboy shootin & sighting

M

mkaye

Member
Rating - 100%
7   0   0
Location
Eastern Ontario
i am about to start reloading
my problem is that my New Vaquero's shoot low with the Wolf bullets i bought (255g RNFP Cowboy loads) - i have to raise the front sight & try to split it 50/50

i don't want to file the front sight, and i can't mark it any way (illegal in Cowboy shooting)
so i was thinking i could keep the same powder charge and go to a 200g bullet, or adjust the powder charge up and stay with the 255g
i would try to fine tune either one
as recoil is always an issue to shoot faster, i was leaning towards the 200g bullet

mark
 
In order for you to raise the POI you must slow the bullet down in order to get the bullet more barrel time, the recoil inconjuction with the extra barrel time will raise the POI.

I found going to lighter bullet will shoot even lower, YMMV.
 
brnolvr said:
In order for you to raise the POI you must slow the bullet down in order to get the bullet more barrel time, the recoil inconjuction with the extra barrel time will raise the POI.

I found going to lighter bullet will shoot even lower, YMMV.
Click to expand...

That was my experience also, you must slow the bullet down or go to a heavier bullet, if you don't want to file down your front sight. It wasn't until I tried a 340gr. bullet that it shot to point of aim!
 
i have a new blackhawk in 45 colt/45acp( 2 cylinder convertible) which is the same beastie as yours but adjustible sights in 5.5 inch- even at it's highest setting . the thing still shot 6-8 inches low at 10 yards on a b-34- even worse wqhen i loaded 200 grain 45acp's rather than 255 45 colts- that front sight was so high it didn't matter- so only two options are left- either file the front sight or try different powders till you find one that shoots to point of aim- i went with the file as i have POUNDS of 231 and use it for everything and don't want to "experimenting" with several powders trying to get there-
the problem with rugers shooting low is well documented in the cowboy shooting forums
i ended up taking a good quarter inch at least off the front sight - i painted the front sight with that orange target paint and then filed some off to see how it shot, then reblued the top of the blade, and repeated until i got 10s and x's- using 255s and 7 grains of 231- which is the factory load for winchester in 45 colt- recoil is more of a heavy "push" that a sharp pang , and i've got hogue grips as well
that front sight is so tall it's got to be meant for the "heavy " 300 grain plus 45 colt loads moving at high vels
i haven't yet made the conversion to 45acp loads to see how they shoot
 
Mark,

Do you have access to a chronograph ? Unless you know where you're starting from, you're likely going to waste a fair bit of time guessing where to go with your loads. Wolf used to load pretty warm, so you may be able to back off quite a bit from his loads and get your POI to come up. The problem with the 45LC and really anemic loads is that they don't tend to be too consistent because of that big empty case, and they soot up the brass really bad. Titegroup and Trail Boss would be 2 powders that you could try to help with both these problems. Alternatively, you could shoot 45 Schofield brass, or even 45 Cowboy Special. Both these cases are shorter, so you would be able to get better performance from small powder charges. Or......get out the file.

Carp River Drifter
 
mkaye said:
i would say 6-8" @10m

mark
Click to expand...

Hi

Depending on barrel length you would have to chop 1/8 to 1/4 inch off of the front sight. That's a LOT of metal.

What are you trying to do with the pistol? Some people are headed for very light loads, and are will accept what ever hits a 6" plate at 10 yards. You can also go for > 1,000 fps loads that group 1/2" at the same distance.

My guess is you are after the first rather than the second. If so I would try about 6 grains of 231 behind your 255 grain bullets. See how it groups and go from there.

Bob
 
Howdy ; the vaquero seems very low , .If you are new to fixed sight cowboy guns , enlist the help of a fellow shooter to confirm it is the gun . I have found a slight adjustment in my hold will help a lot . Before fileing and driveing myself crazey with various loads .
 
once it's done , however, you can expect cloverleafs - my 5.5 inch shoots typically figure 8's and if i do my part, clovers at 10 yards plus- i like to take out the entire "red" section on a b34 if i can with very few fliers- that's your 7 grains of 231 under the 255 grain lead round nose- it just takes some work to get there- and that's offhand weaver stance-
 
Hi

Another way to check what's going on is by using sand bags. You may get better results simply resting your wrists, or by wresting the barrel. Either way it's more data.

Bob
 
I have to admit that when i first got them i couldn't hit the paper at 10m
i found i was wrapping my finger around the trigger and the gun would tilt down to the left as i fired
the 1st couple of cowboy shoots a fellow shooter lent me his regular Vaquero's with the larger frame & i didn't have any problem with the twisting
since then i have been trying very hard not to wrap my finger
i did hold the frame on the table and it did hit where i was aiming, so it may may still be how i grip the gun
i am not sure how i should change my grip to raise the POI

mark
 
Hi

Be careful with this one - you can shoot the TV (seriously, it does happen).

Be very sure the weapon is unloaded. Get some snap caps to protect the firing pin and load up the revolver.

Sit in the TV room and practice "dry firing" at various inanimate objects in the room. Make sure you stay focused on the front sight through the entire process.

You can pretty quickly figure out where the pistol is winding up after you pull the trigger. Once you know, you can start working on how to correct it.

Assuming you are careful with what you are doing it's a good way to practice.

Pulling the shades first may be a good idea ...

Bob
 
That's how i found i was twisting down to the left
dry firing now, the sights are still where i am aiming after pulling the trigger

mark

pa guns said:
Hi

Be careful with this one - you can shoot the TV (seriously, it does happen).

Be very sure the weapon is unloaded. Get some snap caps to protect the firing pin and load up the revolver.

Sit in the TV room and practice "dry firing" at various inanimate objects in the room. Make sure you stay focused on the front sight through the entire process.

You can pretty quickly figure out where the pistol is winding up after you pull the trigger. Once you know, you can start working on how to correct it.

Assuming you are careful with what you are doing it's a good way to practice.

Pulling the shades first may be a good idea ...

Bob
Click to expand...
 
mkaye said:
....
dry firing now, the sights are still where i am aiming after pulling the trigger

mark
Click to expand...

Hi

That's what you want.

You sometimes can get a subtle "dip" as you apply pressure to the trigger. More or less, the barrel drops down as you squeze and then it comes back up once the trigger lets off. Pasting a + shaped target up on the wall can help spot this kind of thing.

Bob
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom