There is a nice Ruger New Vaquero in 45 LC at a shop near my house. I would like to get it for deer hunting, but I am leery of the fixed sights. Does anyone have experience with how various loads perform compared to the factory aim point (e.g., +P shoot high, cowboy to point of aim, etc.)?

Keep in mind that the New Vaquero is smaller than the original Vaquero and will not handle the full house Ruger loads. If I wanted one to hunt with I would shop for an old one. Once a load is settled on the sights can bi adjusted by filing. It might be necessary to have a gun smith install a taller front sight.

I have one in .500 Linebaugh that I have taken deer with.

I had one, and it was a little off POI. Plus, when you change loads, you have to know how to adjust your aiming.

Also, keep in mind that the New Vaqueros are not built like the old ones, so you can't shoot "Ruger Only" loads out of them.

You could get lucky, and have one that shoots POI with your hunting load. My brother has an old vaquero that is right on with his hunting loads. We both bought them at the same time, and I have switched to a SBH because mine didn't shoot POI.

If I was to get a Vaquero for hunting, I would go with the old models that can handle any load a SBH can. Then you can exeed 44mag power levels with the 45 LC.

I don't disagree with the other comments, but to answer your question...I have had 3 and still have one New Vaquero. All of mine have shot to POA (at 25 yards)with my loads that are 260 gr. lead bullets at 950 fps. With a lead SWC or LBT style bullet at this velocity, it is all you would ever need to take a deer. These guns won't take the "Ruger only" loads, but those loads are not needed to take deer at any reasonable range, especially with fixed sights.

I read in a Taffin Book, his local gunsmith was mounting William's short ramp shotgun front sights on Vaqueros. Pics are in Big Bore Sixguns.

I have one that has a Linebaugh dovetail sight on it and I like it. It is a New Vaquero.
You should be able to get over 1000 fps easy with it.
Call John Linebaugh and inquire about the sights and ask about the load he uses in his.
His is a New Vaquero not a Vaquero.
Does anyone doubt John Linebaugh?

As an addendum I chronoed one load that I use just awhile ago and with a 270 SSA bullet that weighs 280 gr as I cast them the 4 5/8th barrel on my New Vaquero went 1093 fps ave velocity in 43 degree weather.
This with a load of 2400.