Just bought my second Cowboy pistol, a Ruger Vaquero .44 Mag, 5.5" barrel. My first was a Hawes Western Marshall, and I'd worked up a load w/.44 Mag brass that shot well in both the Hawes and my Rossi '92. Basically, a 200gr. pill @ about 800 fps. Shoots 5 into about 1.5 - 2" at 15 yds. Now, the Vaquero shoots the same load into about 4", low and left about 3" each way. Shooting 2-handed off-hand (traditional) I can keep all 10 shots from both guns in about an 10" circle.
Here are the questions:
1) Is this good enough for most targets in CAS, or should I be looking for another load?
2) Since both of these are chambered in .44 Mag, would a load near the top (1,000 fps, CAS rules) be a better choice, typically?
3) Would a heavier or lighter bullet be a better approach than changing velocity?
I know the ballistic theories: heavier bullet, higher impact (short range), etc. What I want is anyone's actual experience with trying to find a single load for two different handguns, particularly in .44 Mag.
Input will be appreciated.
Doug444
Here are the questions:
1) Is this good enough for most targets in CAS, or should I be looking for another load?
2) Since both of these are chambered in .44 Mag, would a load near the top (1,000 fps, CAS rules) be a better choice, typically?
3) Would a heavier or lighter bullet be a better approach than changing velocity?
I know the ballistic theories: heavier bullet, higher impact (short range), etc. What I want is anyone's actual experience with trying to find a single load for two different handguns, particularly in .44 Mag.
Input will be appreciated.
Doug444
! I was beginning to think I was the only CA shooter using .44 Mag. for a while there.