.45colt
 

in a six-gun. 5.5"-6" barrel. be a nice carry/backup gun and a plinker. what else would this do?

Pretty much whatever you wanted it to. I have a Vaquero and it is the most versatile handgun I have. I have plinking loads that my niece has shot when she was 8. I have some deer rounds that I haven't had a chance to use in the field yet. I have some romping stomping bear loads just in case. While not the best choice against a wayward bear, it's better than nothing and better than most. It's also good in case of two-legged baddies. Personally, I can draw and fire acurately that Vaquero faster than any other hangun I own. Plus it is instantly recognizable and definetly has that "intimidation" factor. A great gun and a great round.

.45 Colt is indeed a great plinker, and a good walk about caliber. It is also a wonderful hunting round. I have killed hogs, deer, rabbit, squirrel, possum, 'coons, armadillos..............well you get the picture. :D
I put a 225 grain Silvertip clean through a medium Doe two seasons back. She dropped like a sack of spuds. Range was maybe 25 yards. Revolver was a S&W Model 25, 6 inch barrel.

It can also be re-loaded up to .44mag power.

Yes, but only in suitable guns. Ruger Blackhawks and Redhawks come to mind. I wouldn't do it in a Colt SAA ot S&W, although you can work up a fairly potent load in the roughly 1000 FPS range that shoulf be safe in Newer Colts and S&Ws.
Paul B.

Also in the OLD MODEL vaquero. Buffalo bore has some that are right with the 44 mag, but only recommend a couple of guns to shoot it in.

With even a modeerately loaded 45 long colt you can hunt and defend yourself from anything walking the north American Continent both 2 and 4 legged. You can bowling pin shoot. You can target shoot. You can cowboy action shoot. You can tick people off because your gun shoots and handles better than most of the newer calibers in existance and does so without punishing you for pulling the trigger. You can also load up some really neat old oddball loads like the old 2ball load from speer. You can load shot capsuals.

It has recently become my policy that I shall never agin purchase a gun using a caliber that does not have at least 75-100 years of service in the field under its belt. If it has lasted that long then it is good enough for me. After all the good Lord hasn't changed what we are hunting in a little longer than that.

Lets see. . . .

45 Colt (First offered in 1873) 134 years old.
30-30 (First Offered in the Winchester 1894 in the year of 1895) 111 years old
45 Auto/ACP (Browning Circa 1905/1906 if I remember correctly) 101 years old

etc etc

You have a fine gun. Treat it well and it will do the same for you.

My 2 cents.

GoodOlBoy