Getting my Ruger Vaquero to shoot straight.

Dude · 03-29-2009, 12:00 PM

My mid-90's Ruger Vaquero always seems to shoot low and to the left. Other skilled shooters seem to have a similar problem with my particular pistol so it is not a shooter error. The gun is a nice, stainless, .45 and otherwise a very nice looking, solid feeling, pistol.

I was recently reading one of those Cowboy Gun magazines and it seems like most of the single action pistols they reviewed shoot to the left or a little low. Most of the author's seemed to think it was no big deal to "turn" the barrel or file some metal off the pistol. However, as I paid good money for that pistol, I'm a little reluctant to put it in a vise or something.

How does one file off some height on a front sight or "turn the barrel"? Is that something feasible to do with a Ruguer Vaquero?

SwedeSteve · 03-29-2009, 01:49 PM

You can file the front sight down just a little at a time to get the elevation correct. I would take the pistol to a qualified gunsmith for barrel work. You could call Ruger and see if they might do that for you.

jrswanson1 · 03-31-2009, 12:46 PM

Call Ruger and have them turn it properly. It's a common problem and they'll usually do it for free.

Jim

SwedeSteve · 03-31-2009, 04:03 PM

Dude- Have you decided what you're gonna do ??

Pumpkinheaver · 03-31-2009, 09:17 PM

The first thing you need to do is decide what load you like the best in your gun and then decide to stick with it because once you file metal off the front sight it's gone for good. Once you find the load you want to use then you can sight it in properly.

Mel Bjork · 04-10-2009, 01:00 AM

I've had two ruger 7.5" 44 mags and both sucked. I could not get them to shoot straight. My friend has had the same problem with his 44. I sold my first two ,years ago, now I tried again and I bought a ruger 41. Magnum Bisley Hunter 71/5" And I mounted a Leupold 2 power scope. I went to my ranch a few day's ago and after about 25 rounds that I reloaded Iwas putting them in a 4" circle at 50 yards. Then I would have a flyer 6 or 8 inches in any direction. It was raining and a little windy. I shot about 175 rounds and could not dial it in to what I wanted. Maybe it's my reloads? or maybe ruger just dosen't make a quality revolver.

Mel

madcratebuilder · 04-10-2009, 09:08 AM

Rugers with fixed sights have a tall front sight so you can match it to the load you shoot. Find a load you want to stay with and then file the front blade to adjust POI.

Some of the older Rugers in .45Colt had issues with fliers. I believe it had to do with poorly machined forcing cones, an easy fix. AFAIK the .44 and .41mag should shoot straight, every one I own does. 4moa, supported from a bag at 50yds is normal from my scoped Rugers. YMMV

SwedeSteve · 04-10-2009, 10:51 AM

You need to work that sixgun and make it yours.

03-29-2009, 12:00 PM	#1
Dude Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Georgia Posts: 91	Getting my Ruger Vaquero to shoot straight. My mid-90's Ruger Vaquero always seems to shoot low and to the left. Other skilled shooters seem to have a similar problem with my particular pistol so it is not a shooter error. The gun is a nice, stainless, .45 and otherwise a very nice looking, solid feeling, pistol. I was recently reading one of those Cowboy Gun magazines and it seems like most of the single action pistols they reviewed shoot to the left or a little low. Most of the author's seemed to think it was no big deal to "turn" the barrel or file some metal off the pistol. However, as I paid good money for that pistol, I'm a little reluctant to put it in a vise or something. How does one file off some height on a front sight or "turn the barrel"? Is that something feasible to do with a Ruguer Vaquero?

03-29-2009, 01:49 PM	#2
SwedeSteve Suspected Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Anchortown, Alaska Posts: 23,576 Images: 1	You can file the front sight down just a little at a time to get the elevation correct. I would take the pistol to a qualified gunsmith for barrel work. You could call Ruger and see if they might do that for you. __________________ Thank God we don't get as much Government as we pay for! -Will Rogers

03-31-2009, 04:03 PM	#4
SwedeSteve Suspected Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Anchortown, Alaska Posts: 23,576 Images: 1	Dude- Have you decided what you're gonna do ?? __________________ Thank God we don't get as much Government as we pay for! -Will Rogers

03-31-2009, 09:17 PM	#5
Pumpkinheaver Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Missouri Posts: 1,733	The first thing you need to do is decide what load you like the best in your gun and then decide to stick with it because once you file metal off the front sight it's gone for good. Once you find the load you want to use then you can sight it in properly. __________________ Just because your paranoid doesn't mean they aren't out to get you!

04-10-2009, 01:00 AM	#6
Mel Bjork Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 109	Ruger I've had two ruger 7.5" 44 mags and both sucked. I could not get them to shoot straight. My friend has had the same problem with his 44. I sold my first two ,years ago, now I tried again and I bought a ruger 41. Magnum Bisley Hunter 71/5" And I mounted a Leupold 2 power scope. I went to my ranch a few day's ago and after about 25 rounds that I reloaded Iwas putting them in a 4" circle at 50 yards. Then I would have a flyer 6 or 8 inches in any direction. It was raining and a little windy. I shot about 175 rounds and could not dial it in to what I wanted. Maybe it's my reloads? or maybe ruger just dosen't make a quality revolver. Mel

03-31-2009, 12:46 PM	#3
jrswanson1 Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 1,093	Call Ruger and have them turn it properly. It's a common problem and they'll usually do it for free. Jim

04-10-2009, 09:08 AM	#7
madcratebuilder Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Northern Orygun Posts: 2,395 Images: 3	Rugers with fixed sights have a tall front sight so you can match it to the load you shoot. Find a load you want to stay with and then file the front blade to adjust POI. Some of the older Rugers in .45Colt had issues with fliers. I believe it had to do with poorly machined forcing cones, an easy fix. AFAIK the .44 and .41mag should shoot straight, every one I own does. 4moa, supported from a bag at 50yds is normal from my scoped Rugers. YMMV __________________ Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

04-10-2009, 10:51 AM	#8
SwedeSteve Suspected Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Anchortown, Alaska Posts: 23,576 Images: 1	You need to work that sixgun and make it yours. __________________ Thank God we don't get as much Government as we pay for! -Will Rogers