Ruger Vaquero - 44-40 - Advice Needed

J

JohnnyCanuck10

Regular
EE Expired
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Location
BC
Hello Cowboy Action Shooters out there.

I picked up a couple of original model Ruger Vaqueros in 44-40 in the last few weeks due to the upcoming ban so that I could get into cowboy action shooting in the days ahead. Not knowing much - I didn't realize 2 things at the time: 1) how difficult it is to find 44-40 ammunition (I likely don't have the time to reload) and 2) that the Ruger 44-40's were a problematic revolver to begin with because they still had the 44 magnum barrel of the Blackhawk (measuring .429 or .430) rather than a barrel specifically made for 44-40. Apparently the cylinder was chambered for 44-40 but once you get to the barrel the bullet is rattling around in a larger passage than it should be causing accuracy issues.

Apparently, one possible solution is having the cylinder reamed out (and neck as well I suppose) to .430 so that you can use 44 magnum or special cartridges.

The 44-40 is a great historical cartridge so it would be great to keep the Vaquero in this form. However, it seems that the lack of 44-40 ammo and engineering issues would continue to pose a problem.

I am looking for any suggestions or experience dealing with this issue. Would you suggest I wait until some 44-40 ammunition becomes available to try before attempting a fix? Or should I just be looking at modifying them at this stage. If so, can anyone suggest a qualified gunsmith who has done this before or would do a good job? I am in the Lower Mainland/Fraser Valley area of BC. Can you even participate in CAS with a 44 calibre revolver as it is not historically accurate? Definitely want to get into CAS but this is a wee bit of a hurdle.

Any thoughts and advice appreciated! Thanks!
 
Reloading is probably something you should seriously consider. It's a good gun related hobby for a stormy February evening when there's nothing on TV.

Rustywood.ca is in your part of the world and do a lot of cowboy action gunsmith work. I've had good luck buying from them but haven't had work done personally. I intend to one day soon though.

Can't hurt to do some shooting and measuring to see how things stack up before you start modifying.
Hope you find a solution that works.
 
i would slug the barrel and see what is shows. reloading and a softer lead maybe the answer. cowboy loads and the distance to the target is not far, may not be a problem. problem is finding brass as of now...
 
When I look for old ammo auction sites seem to have the most, I'd try there. Reloading and revolvers both start with r and are a match made for each other

Rusty Wood in Mission and Budget Shooter Supply in Surrey will have the things you want

44 Russian is a shorter 44 special which is a shorter 44 mag. You can download to Rus levels if you want
 
JohnnyCanuck10: Reaming the chamber throats is likely your best option.... if needed. Have you measured your chamber throats? As for reaming the cylinders to accept .44 mag/Special/Russian etc., note that the .44-40 cartridge is in fact, larger in diameter than the .44 mag. .457"(.44 Mag.) versus .471" (.44-40). These are max. dimensions. Individual chamber dimensions will vary.

I have samples(fired brass) of each cartridge in front of me, as this is typed. Most, run slightly under max. As measured at the base. Average case dimensions: .44 Mag: .455". .44-40: .463". Still, enough difference to note. Also: The.44-40 case is slightly necked down. Versus straight-walled, like the .44 mag. So, a cylinder swap would make more sense, if you choose to go that route.

As already mentioned, if you can acquire some loaded cartridges, try these first, before making any alterations to the cylinders. Likewise: Slug both barrel and chamber throats.

If competing in cowboy action is your ultimate goal, you will need to reload your cartridges. The amount of shooting the average competitor does over the course of a single season makes it prohibitively expensive to shoot factory ammo.

Rusty Wood(aka: Peter Riedel), is a first-rate cowboy action gun smith. Have used his services, with complete satisfaction. Rusty is an avid cowboy action competitor, who knows exactly what it takes to make comp guns run fast and smooth. Also, a great source for brass and other components. Supply of which seems to be pretty much non-existent, right now. But, be patient and that should improve.

By the way, the .44-40 cartridge is absolutely historically correct. Introduced, in 1873. Also, perfectly suitable for cowboy action competition. Likewise: .44 Mag/Special, etc. Cowboy action rules stipulate that firearms be period correct. Fairly wide latitude is given to ammo.

My advice echoes the rest: Locate some ammo first, before deciding on your next step.

Al
 
Last edited:
If your planning to shoot Cowboy Action even 3-5 times a year, reloading is mandatory unless you have really deep pockets! x2 on the work Rusty Woods does, over the years he has worked on 8 or 9 of both mine and my wife's guns. Also, if you're shooting at a SASS affiliated club, the steel targetry is 7-10 yds away for pistol and a maximum of 50 yds for pistol caliber rifles and are a minimum of 16 inches in diameter to conform with SASS rules. Pistol accuracy required at 7 yards (or closer at some clubs in the US) is 1 minute of Saskatchewan barn door.
 
Last edited:
Garand: " 1 minute of Saskatchewan barn door". Perfect description! Will be chuckling over that one, the rest of the morning.
 
JohnnyCanuck10: Follow up: Since it may be some time before you can get your hands on some ammo. In the meantime, likely the best person to answer your questions, would be Peter Riedel (Rusty Wood). Good guy to deal with. He can offer the expert advice you need to guide your decision.
Peter's shop is located in Mission, BC.

Contact info: www.rustywoodtrading.ca
phone: 604 302 6176

Hope this helps.

Al

For some great cowboy action videos, visit: jedi tv, on you tube. Likely the most informative and entertaining look at CAS in action. Next best thing to actually being at a match.
 
Last edited:
bigmouth said:
Sell it and try to buy/trade for a .357 which you should have bought in the first place.
Click to expand...

CAS has a category for everyone and all shooting styles, it's not a "one size fits all" shooting sport so don't listen to bigmouth.

You should shoot Classic Cowboy with that 44-40. CC folk are a good crowd and they like big booms, lots of smoke, and long barrels. The competition part comes in a close second, but mostly it's about doing it the traditional way, you win by showing up and having a good time.

Do you know anyone who reloads? Maybe it's a good excuse to get together with a buddy and use their equipment / get a few tutorials? I bet someone in your posse would help out.
 
"You win by showing up and having a good time". Tudenom nailed it. That, is the essence of CAS.
 
Last edited:
This is all great advice and I feel welcome to the community already. Rusty Woods is actually close to me so this is a great option. I will give him a call. I will also wait until I get my hands on some 44-40 before making any decisions. Looking forward to getting involved in CAS and getting my kids involved as well!
 
JohnnyCanuck10: Some final thoughts: Your Ruger Vaqueros are excellent revolvers for CAS. Well built. Very strong. Rugged and dependable. Easy to service and maintain. With plenty of spare and replacement parts available. All important factors, for long term CAS service. Great choice.

It's no exaggeration to state that, the average cowboy gun sees more use in a single year, than many guns might see in their entire lifetime. So, guns need to run smooth and reliably, all the time. That's why Ruger revolvers are the firearm of choice, for many top competitors.

As you enter the sport, you will quickly discover that the CAS community is universally the most welcoming, generous, inclusive and helpful folks you're likely to encounter, in just about any shooting sport. Age*, gender, shooting experience, are no barriers. All are welcome. Very often, entire families get involved. Above all, one of the really unique things about this sport is that not only do you shoot and compete.....you also get to dress up and play cowboy!

Tudenom really captured the true spirit of cowboy action, when he stated: "You win by showing up and having a good time".

By the way, while you're perusing the Rusty Wood Trading site, be sure to scroll down to the part where cowboy action clubs in your area are listed.

Al

ps: *SASS World Champion and Canadian...."Whistlin' Will" (Valley Regulators. BC)....started competing in cowboy action at the tender age of 9.
 
Last edited:
Thanks for the encouragement Alex. I definitely intend to get involved with my boys. I watched a video of Whistlin' Will and that was something else. I reached out to the Mission CAS club and intend on being there and learning more on November 6th. Also talked to Rusty Wood this morning. Looking forward to figuring out these 44-40s and get them shooting. Thanks again all!
 
I did some reading and apparently you can swap out the 44 cylinder and make the 44-40 a convertible. Would be great to find some 44 cylinders but far easier south of the border.
 
JohnnyCanuck10: If considering a cylinder swap. Try: Gun Parts Corp ( Numrich), in the U.S. Good source for Ruger parts. Peter Riedel can advise which may suit best.

Of course, the cylinders would require fitting and timing to your guns. To my knowledge, cylinders are not ITAR restricted (Unless there has been some change I am not aware of). Numrich does ship to Canada. May be worth a look.

It sure would be easier south of the border. But....at least we have some options.

Interesting read on the .44-40 Vaquero.

Al
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom