What gun do you think I should get

[The deerslayer]

I want a 41 mag 480 ruger or a 454. What one do you guys think I should get? I will use the gun for hunting deer sized game and maybe black bear.

[Questor]

I'd go with the 480.

[Zeus]

Depends, what is your handgun history (what are you used to shooting).  If your big bore history is hit and miss, "I shot Bobs and it was ok" type stuff, I'd opt for the 41.  Less recoil and just as deadly.  If you develop a flinch right off, you're screwed for a while.  The 480 and the 454 kick.  Don't let anyone fool you.  The only advantage for the 454 is that you can load the 454 brass down to good warm 45 colt loads and do anything that you want or need for deer.  I have a load that clocks 1150 with a 255 out of my Freedom Arms 454 that barely even lifts the barrel in recoil.  Will kill a deer as dead as a 1650 fps load.  When you have mastered the 45 colt loads, you can steadily increase the power until you have reached the level you want.  I have backed off considerably with some of my loads, I shoot probably 85% lower 45 colt level loads and the rest full house.  They are strickly reserved for getting ready for hunting and the occasional "I need to make a little noise" days.  My 480 was pleasant to shoot with some loads but with full blown loads, it could be a handful.  454 is one of the most versatile rounds made in my opinion if you are a handloader.  If approached correctly, I think it would make a great choice.  If money is not an option, I fully recommend the Freedom ARms.  I love mine and have not seen one yet that will not shoot better than the shooter.  Mine makes it easy to shoot VERY small groups at 50 yards, makes me feel like I almost know how to shoot.  But deep down, I know better than that. :grin:

[Redhawk1]

Zeus will put, not further info needed :grin:   It is not only what the gun will do, but the shooters ability. Good luck in you quest. I recommend the 454 if you are a heavy recoil handgun shooter.

[bigbore442001]

Out of the three calibers mentioned, I would pick the 454 Casull for a number of reasons.

One. The caliber is much more common than the others.

Two. You can use reduced loads offered by Winchester for the 454 as well as 45 Colt for getting good with the gun( make sure you scrub the chambers well after shooting the shorter Colt round before shooting 454's)

Three. Reloading components make it so much more versatile than the 41 or 480.

[Rmouleart]

If you are reloader the 454 Casull has plenty of good reloading data,been around for a while,unlike the 480, as you probably know you can shoot 45LC's out of the 454 Casull as well.
I think if your a big bore shooter the 454 Casull is your best bet, if you want a little less recoil, something like the 44Mag the 480 is what you want, what ever you choose good luck. Aim small hit small. RAMbo.

[Zeus]

Like I mentioned, I feel that the 454 is the most versatile of the two but if you reload, I HIGHLY recommend loading the 454 rounds down to 45LC levels by using the "454 Brass".  This will give you the same power that you are trying to acheive and practice or hunt with but without the cleaning chores or possibility of gun damage.  With the 255 that I mentioned, over 10.5 grains of 231 with a CCI small rifle magnum primer, I'm getting about 1140-1150.  Long Colt performance with 454 brass and no extra cleaning.  Just my opinion, to each their own.  GS

[The deerslayer]

Well I dont reload so I cant do what you said about the 454.

[Zeus]

In that case, I think that Winchester makes a mild load ~1300 fps for the Casull that you could try to start with.  GS

[oso45-70]

Fred722
I don't want to sound like i am flaming you, But i've watched some of your posts in the past.    and based on what i have seen my suggestion would be to start with some thing like a ruger super black hawk in 41 mag
or a 44 mag, and with the 44 mag you could shoot 44 specials. I would suggest that if you were to get set up to load  it would help you decide which gun and load you would prefer, Let me say this, If you are new to the world of hand gun shooting, you sure as heck DO NOT WANT to start out trying to shoot some thing like the 480 or 454...one shot and you will  be flinching the rest of your life. I hope you give this a little thought before
you jump in with both feet. Best of luck.............Joe

[sherpa]

what oso45/70 said....... :roll:  :roll:

[bigjeepman]

What about starting out with the .45lc? I know it wasn't one of your original choices but this caliber is awesome. You could start out shooting Winchester Cowboy Action Loads that run in the vicinity of $17/box of 50 rounds. These rounds have very mild recoil which would help in getting used to a bigger bore handgun.

Just a thought and certainly not meant to start a ruckus by getting away from the three choices you stated above.

[Gregory]

Since you don't reload you'd be better off with a 44 Mag, plenty of factory loads available and it will handle all the game you mentioned.  I think 480 and 454 factory ammo would be too pricey to afford ample practice.

[Robert357]

I thought that I would post a link that shows what firearms should be good for hunting black bear, cougar and deer by the Washington State Fish and Wildlife Dept.  The other they refer to is moose and elk, which is a step up in firepower.

http://www.wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/game/hunter/handguns.htm

Since you don't reload, I would suggest that you consider calibers that have lots of flexibility.  Such combinations include 44 special/44 Magnum.  

Another way to achieve the same thing is to find custom ammunition manufacturers that sell really powerful version of "tame" big bores, say 45 Long Colt in a Ruger Blackhawk.  Or find handguns that are used in cowboy action shooting that have ammo which is loaded way down.

Some of these companies that sell, big bore, high power loads that can only be used in certain models and brands of revolvers.  One such company is Buffalo Bore.

http://www.buffalobore.com/

Good Luck

[oso45-70]

Gregory,
I started to bring up the 45 colt but i thought it might be too much information, And you are absoluty rite the 45 colt is one of the most versatile hand guns going, I do a lot of shooting with my 45s. You can go from 45ACP loads to close to the mighty 454. I make up some with325gr
lead wide face and i wouldent back off from anything. Don't get very good case life out of those loads though.   Stay safe,............Joe.....................

[tubbythetuba]

Those .454s and .480s, etc. are huge and heavy. For deer and black bear, I can't imagine needing more than a .41, .44 or .45 Blackhawk or Bisley with a 5.5" bbl or even the 4 7/8". Much lighter and easier to handle and will kill just fine at handgun ranges.

[supermag 445]

for a non reloader the 44 mag hands down.  The 41 mag needs to be reloaded the 480 has some loads out but not much. 454 I think has more loads out there for a variety of situations.  So out of those you chose I would go with the 454.

Good luck

Brian

[les hemby]

another vote for 44

[jamie]

If you don't reload then .44 mag if you do then the .41 mag is the one.  Alot has been written about how wellthe .41 was for hunting and we may have never seen the .44 mag if the .41 came me out first.  The 454 is just too much for most shooters and is expensive to purchase and to purchase ammo.  The 480 is better but still expensive.  AH, who am I kidding?  Buy an encore with a 15"45-70 barrel and load with Ruger #1 loads.

[The deerslayer]

Ok guys thanks for your help. I narrowed it down to a 480 and 41. And I forgot to put it must be good for at least 100 yards.  

[brushbustertex]

their is nothing alive on na that 357 willnot kill inside 100yds.if its deer your after why put up with the extra ponishmement.go head get a 454 or 500 if you can be happy with it.don"t ask anyone else.  just to blame it on them. just rember jumbo the elephant was killed with a 22 long rifel.  ------texas.

[Zeus]

their is nothing alive on na that 357 willnot kill inside 100yds

whew.....that statement may get a few flames but don't take the following personally.  I will go on record with my opinion that the 357 is marginal for deer.  Up close, there is no doubt, it will work but we get into the "there are so many better choices" debate.  Why handicap yourself with a so-so caliber for the purpose.  If I need to nail a piece of wood to the wall, I'm not going to go to Sears and buy a cresent wrench to use as a hammer when they sell hammers also.  I guess I just don't understand this logic.  I don't understand why the 44 was not a consideration in this original question though.  Very versatile and plenty of power.  Between the 41 and the 480 though for someone without lots of experience.......definetely go with the 41.  Plenty of power at the ranges you should shoot ethically. GS

[bowfishn]

I've always used the 44mag in the past , but just purchaced a 454 this year. Have put over 600 full powered 310gr loads through it so far, it shoots good and the recoil is not much more than what my hot 44mag loads were. I got the 454 so i wouldn't have to load up with the 44mag, instead with the 454 you can go from it's top loading down to 45LC loads.
My 18 year old Daughter has shot quite a few full house loads from my 454 and she didn't mind it at all. (she is 5'9" and weighs 130lbs)
If i didn't reload i would go for the 44mag as the choices of factory ammo is real good and the cost is better for ammo as well.