Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns Ruger Vaquero vs Blackhawk

I am new to revolvers. When looking at .45 revolvers I see that the Vaquero is more expensive than the Blackhawk. Can someone tell me why. Which would be more desirable for deer hunting. Thanks in advance.

You want a BlackHawk for hunting because they have adjustable sights.

I own both. Vaquero’s are more “traditional” because they have fixed sights, like the original Colt Single Action Army models.

But when trying out various loads to find the “right” one to suit your type of hunting, you’ll find that different loads and different bullet types and weights often shoot to different point of aim.
With the BlackHawk model’s adjustable sights, you can adjust the sights and load to the correct POA.

My Vaqueros have fixed sights and the Blackhawks have adjustable sights, so it was easier to get center hits with the Blackhawks . . just adjust the sights to match the center of a good-grouping load and you are set.

Cowboy Action shoots generally classify the Vaquero as a "traditional" model and the BH as "modern", but for deer hunting, a .45 Colt in a Blackhawk would be my choice. That and plenty of practice. I have no insight into the cost differential of the two models, and I like both for different reasons. A shooting range nearby may have rental guns for you to try before you buy.

What they said.

I’d look for a Blackhawk with the Bisley grip frame. Basically the same gun with a more vertical target style grip frame that you can choke up on a little bit higher and better mitigate recoil. Ruger manufacturers them in runs every so often IDK if they’re offering that model right now or not.

They make fewer, thus they sell for more. That, and the New Vaquero is made on the smaller Flat Top sized frame (mid-frame). They are also all steel, vs the Alloy grip frame on the Blackhawk.

For Hunting I tend to say that the adjustable sights on the Blackhawk are more desirable, they also lend themselves to scope mounting. Lastly, the Blackhawk 45 is made on the large SBH sized frame and can be loaded to "Ruger Only" loads.

My "Hunting Rig" a .41 Magnum Bisley.



My packing & plinking .41




And, for easy packing, durability, and a big punch, a .45 Colt Vaquero.

The vaquero also has (or used to have) a steel grip frame while the Blackhawk blued had an aluminum anodized grip frame. Also, the vaquero is higher polished. The Blackhawk is more versatile for everything except shooting CAS.

Some gunsmiths are out there who will mount adjustable sights on your Vaquero for you. One of our members here has one like that. Beautiful gun. Forget who. Gunsmith may have been Hamilton Bowen. ??

If you intend to shoot cast bullets, check your cylinder throats.
I doubt Ruger has changed 50 years of screwing them up.


Can fix it for reasonable money.

If you want a Ruger in 45 LC for deer hunting, get a stainless Flattop. They still make them and they are excellent.
S.

WPAHUNTER, I sent a PM to you.

I haven’t hunted with mine, I’d like to at some point. It’s one of my favorite handguns for range use and knocking down steel plates.

That looks like a Bisley Blackhawk

It is. I thought that was what you referring to.

Vaqueros are for playing Cowboy.
Blackhawks are for serious work.

Both are fine revolvers.

Blackhawk for hinting or heavy loads. Vaquero for authentic SA feel and look or cowboy action shooting. Vaqueros are still pretty beefy but the Blackhawk is a tank, designed for hot loads.

I’d stay away from the new vaquero for hunting. They made the frame smaller so the new vaqueros can’t take the higher pressure 45 loads.

This. As was said up above, new vaqueros are NOT built for heavy loads. Keep that in mind when making your purchase op