.480 ruger or .454 casull in puma 92

[whelen36]

i've been toying around with the idea of getting a puma 92 lever action and was thinking about getting it in .454 casull beings that i have a .45 colt ruger vaquero and the colts can be used in the .454 easily for just fun shooting but , now i've been thinking about a .480 ruger chambering instead. i don't handload so which would be the best choice , i like  the larger bore size of the .480 ruger ( .475 ) , but the .454 is more powerful with factory loads than the .480 and can also digest my .45 colts.

please give me some info and insight , thanks

whelen36
stephen d.

[Graybeard]

If I were faced with that choice I'd get the .480 Ruger but then I reload for both rounds. In your situation the .454 Casull is more versatile for a non reloader as there is a wide variety of loads available from major and minor manufacturers for it where as the factory loads available for the .480 are very limited. The supply is adequate for both but there are more for the .454 and more importantly for the budget more from the major makers at lower prices.

Buffalo Bore makes a really great selection for the .480 in both cast and jacketed bullets but Tim's prices are not as cheap as the ammo from the larger makers. Still there isn't much you can't do with a .480 using the ammo from Hornady and Speer. I like it for the slightly larger diameter and much heavier bullets it takes compared to the .454.

[dpe.ahoy]

I've got the Puma in 454, and as you suggested, the 45 Colt works fine in it.  For your purpose I believe you have made the choice with that statement.  As for the 480, I don't have one, thought about it but I don't have time to shoot all the guns I have now, let alone keep the kids in ammo for another caliber!  The 454 can be considered a mini 45-70 with most loads up to 360g.  Question.  Why don't you reload?  With the price of ammo now , I can't see how anyone can shoot enough to keep in practice if they don't.  45 Colt and 454 could use the same shell holder, dies, bullets and with certain loads, the same powder.  Great place to start.  I've got 3 Rossi levers, and all are good shooters, though the newest, (357) is still pretty stiff.  Which ever one you get, I'm sure you will enjoy it.  DP

[Tom W.]

If I happen up on one and have some cash, I'll be getting one in .480

[Casull]

If it were me, I'd definitely go with the .454.  Better sectional density, better trajectory, more fpe, better availability of bullets, better availability of factory ammo, more versatile, etc.  The only thing going for the .480 is a little more diameter.

[Graybeard]

The only thing going for the .480 is a little more diameter.

You are over looking the main thing it has going for it and that is more BULLET WEIGHT.

Velocity is not the name of the game with straight wall pistol rounds it's diameter and bullet weight that matter.

[Tom W.]

And it won't beat the hell out of you, either...

[Lloyd Smale]

personaly id prefer the 480 but honestly no game animal would ever know the differnce which it was hit with. There both compact little powerhouses that give you the power of a stout 4570 in a much lighter more compact package.

[teddy12b]

Geesh, you guys are starting to make me feel insecure about my 44 mag Puma, and that kicks plenty hard for me.

If I didn't reload I'd go with the 454, just because of the cheaper 45 ammo you can run through it.

[whelen36]

would the puma 92 be strong enough to handle the BUFFALO BORE ammo in the .480 ruger or even in the .454 casull

what's the web address for BUFFALO BORE i used to know it but i can't think of it now .

thanks
whelen36
stephen d.

[Casull]

And it won't beat the hell out of you, either...

May sound a little weird, but I kinda like it.   

[Tom W.]

I'm getting old and arthritic.....

[Graybeard]

what's the web address for BUFFALO BORE   i used to know it but i can't think of it now .

Kind of a tough one to figure out, let's see maybe it's:

http://www.buffalobore.com/

[DC]

 I had a potential trade for a new Puma in 480 but passed.  The rifle was nice....24" stainless with a recoil pad and trigger job by a great gunsmith but like you I have a revolver that shoots a readily available round...44 Mag / 44 Special.  I didn't want to have to reload and I will mostly punch paper and if a Mule Deer shows up next to my car during hunting season, I will hunt with it.  Frankly I want to be able to buy ammo anywhere, a problem with the 480 Ruger.