I posted this question over in handguns, but figured you cowboys (and girls) would be a lot of help here. I'm in the market for a Ruger Birds Head Vaquero. I've found two locally - one in .357 and one in .45 Colt. My purpose with this gun is mainly to have something to plink around with and have fun. But, if all the planets were out of line and backwards one day, and I had to fend off a critter (which here in AZ would mean black bear or mountain lion), is the cowboy factory loads in .45 Colt enough to get the job done? I hear that if a person had to shoot a .45 without hearing protection, they may actually survive with some of the mild loads out there. Do those mild loads carry enough weight to stop a animal if need be? I know you can get loads for the .357 all up and down the scale, but I know the loads intended for game are incredibly load. Thanks.

Cowboy loads are generally pretty weak, and if a mountain lion was really trying to chew on my a$$ my 45 Colt stoked with proper stout loads can make whatever noise it needs to. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

If the planets are really out of line I don't think cowboy loads will line them back up.

Plink to your heart's content with cowboy loads, but when you carry the .45 for protection stoke it with full power loads. Buy a box of 20 full power loads and you are set for years.

My .02 cents.
Leon

I replied to everyone, but I don't see my post here - I'll try again...

Anywho, thank you all for the info. It helps a lot. I'm now leaning toward the .357 for it's versatility, and I like the guns available to me a little better. Plus, when I told my sister that I was looking for a Vaquero, she told me she is in the process of aquiring a color case Vaquero with ivory grips in .357 from a friend. Supposedly it's in great shape and the action and trigger has been tuned up by Bob James. She'll give it to me for what she is paying for it - around $250-275ish. I may have to jump on it.

Gen Patton carried one in 1943, and I'm pretty sure they were mild loads compared to todays full power loads. He believed in those loads then, so I think you can trust them too today. They 45LC is a very effective round and is too often understated because it get compared to .357 and .44 Mag loads. It's NOT a magnum, but it is still VERY effective at doing it's job.

Thanks for the info. As I started to lean toward the .357, a friend at a local shop says he now has a Birds Head Vaquero in .45 Colt - color-case with factory ivory grips. He's holding this plus a Birds Head in .357 for me. Hopefully after I handle both something will jump out at me to help me make my decision.

I would go with a .45 Colt.

My $0.02

I have two of the stainless birdsheads in 357 for Cowboy shooting and love them. Grip just seems to fit me better than the standard plow handles. While I shoot low power 38's for matches, they are Rugers and will handle full power loads with ease. JMHO TM

Just to clear up a historical point......the loads for the .357 Mag. in the 40's (General Patton) were significantly more powerful than today's standard loads.

The .357 was introduced with a 158 gr. bullet fired at 1500 fps. Later, when it was discovered that these loads were basically shooting the guns apart, these loadings were reduced to today's levels of a 158 gr. at about 1350 fps. While there may be some specialty loads today that can match up to those early loads......General Patton was certainly not working with any handicaps.

If the planets are not aligned just right and you have that Vaquero stoked up wth Federal Premium Cast Core 180 grain or Corbon 180's you should give a good showing for yourself. Mountain lions are not that hard to kill, Black bears can be a little more of a challenge but if you look in the 2006 Yellow Ruger Catalog there's a fellow praising his Vaquero 44-40 for killing a black bear that had got into his tent and attacked him and was working on his brother. One shot and the threat was over. Good ammunition goes a long way to making a good round. I hope your planet stay aligned. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />