Author Topic: .454 or .480, that is the Question? (Read 5979 times)

Lawful Larry · « **on:** August 25, 2006, 05:55:26 AM »

I will be looking to get weak in the knees and make another aquisition. The only problem is what caliber, the .454 Cas or the .480 Ruger. I will be looking to get a ruger Super Redhawk this time. It will be used for hunting. I currently have a couple of S&W .44 Mags and a couple of Ruger Blackhawks in .45 Colt. I love them both, but you guys know how it is when you get bit with the "I need a another gun!" bug.

Which one will give me the most overall power and service in a hunting venue? Don't ever think I will hunt anything on the dark continent, so that narrows it down some.

I value eveyone's opinion in this matter so fire away with your imputs.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #1 on:** August 25, 2006, 06:36:12 AM »

Quote from: Lawful Larry on August 25, 2006, 05:55:26 AM

I will be looking to get weak in the knees and make another aquisition. The only problem is what caliber, the .454 Cas or the .480 Ruger. I will be looking to get a ruger Super Redhawk this time. It will be used for hunting. I currently have a couple of S&W .44 Mags and a couple of Ruger Blackhawks in .45 Colt. I love them both, but you guys know how it is when you get bit with the "I need a another gun!" bug.

Which one will give me the most overall power and service in a hunting venue? Don't ever think I will hunt anything on the dark continent, so that narrows it down some.

I value eveyone's opinion in this matter so fire away with your imputs.

I would have to go with the 454 Casull over the 480. There is a lot more bullet selection for the 454. The 454 Casull has more power, the 480 is a go between of the 44 Mag and the 454 Casull.

Dusty Miller · « **Reply #2 on:** August 25, 2006, 11:55:26 AM »

I don't know about you but I'm really reluctant to buy a new caliber to reload for. That's why my last FA purchase was for the 454 Casull, I already owned one in that caliber. Its just a real hassel to do a change over on my progressive reloader, as a matter of fact I'm considering dumping my 357 mag for that very reason.

Note: Subsequent to that post I bought an S&W PC 627 357 mag.

caindawg · « **Reply #3 on:** August 30, 2006, 12:29:06 AM »

Hi, I would recommend the 460 SW , you can shoot 45lc, 454 and the 460. Just seems more useful to me.

Ahab · « **Reply #4 on:** September 14, 2006, 11:49:47 AM »

I was in the same quandary. So I took Redhawk1's advice and bought a 7 1/2" .454 Super Red Hawk this morning. It lock's up nicely and has a decent trigger which really surprised me. Now to work up some loads.

crow_feather · « **Reply #5 on:** September 15, 2006, 07:18:46 PM »

I bought a 454 super red last year and got my first pistol deer with it shortly after. I use a millet red dot which works very well. (Deer was shot with iron sights though) I have shot pistol regularly for over thirty years (job) and most of my range work was with a 357 mag and later a 40. I use padded gloves with the 454 and believe that I have reached the limit with respect to caliber and recoil. The 460 sounds great but I don't believe that I would enjoy shooting it as much as the 454. I saw a video where a 600 nitro was chambered in a T/C PISTOL. The recoil ripped the pistol from the person's hand and threw it about ten feet behind him onto the concrete floor. There really is a limit.

C F

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #6 on:** September 17, 2006, 01:32:48 AM »

Quote from: Ahab on September 14, 2006, 11:49:47 AM

I was in the same quandary. So I took Redhawk1's advice and bought a 7 1/2" .454 Super Red Hawk this morning. It lock's up nicely and has a decent trigger which really surprised me. Now to work up some loads.

Good choice, let use know how you make out with it.

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #7 on:** September 19, 2006, 11:41:35 AM »

your just like one of those muselims in iraq trying to cover the unaware over to your religion

Quote from: Redhawk1 on September 17, 2006, 01:32:48 AM

Quote from: Ahab on September 14, 2006, 11:49:47 AM
I was in the same quandary. So I took Redhawk1's advice and bought a 7 1/2" .454 Super Red Hawk this morning. It lock's up nicely and has a decent trigger which really surprised me. Now to work up some loads.

Good choice, let use know how you make out with it.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #8 on:** September 19, 2006, 03:29:39 PM »

Quote from: Lloyd Smale on September 19, 2006, 11:41:35 AM

your just like one of those muselims in iraq trying to cover the unaware over to your religion
Quote from: Redhawk1 on September 17, 2006, 01:32:48 AM
Quote from: Ahab on September 14, 2006, 11:49:47 AM
I was in the same quandary. So I took Redhawk1's advice and bought a 7 1/2" .454 Super Red Hawk this morning. It lock's up nicely and has a decent trigger which really surprised me. Now to work up some loads.

Good choice, let use know how you make out with it.

Yea I know

Travis Shuck · « **Reply #9 on:** September 20, 2006, 06:57:33 AM »

http://www.lasc.us/480Ruger.htm

here is an article that gives some good info on the .480 SRH.
I don't own one my self so I don't have an opinion either way.

Ahab · « **Reply #10 on:** September 24, 2006, 02:37:39 PM »

Quote from: Redhawk1 on September 17, 2006, 01:32:48 AM

Quote from: Ahab on September 14, 2006, 11:49:47 AM
I was in the same quandary. So I took Redhawk1's advice and bought a 7 1/2" .454 Super Red Hawk this morning. It lock's up nicely and has a decent trigger which really surprised me. Now to work up some loads.
Good choice, let use know how you make out with it.

Can't find a #20 case holder in Tucson! Will have to order. Gun shop goin out of business so I bought some factory Fed 300's and Win 260's. Informal plinking showed decent accuracy at 25 yrds, a little low, using sights as came from the box. I've bought many Rugers and always had to do some refinements to make them shoot to my liking. This one is a keeper without the extra effort. Kudo's to Ruger. Trigger is smooth and crisp, rifling, cylinder bores and forcing cone are smooth with no machine marks. Wow!

Hairtrigger · « **Reply #11 on:** September 24, 2006, 02:54:41 PM »

I owned 2 RSH's one in 454 the other in 480.
I sold the 480 because I was unable to find a good selection of 480 bullets. I see some bullet mfgr's are now begining to make bullets for the 480

Golsovia · « **Reply #12 on:** October 26, 2006, 09:44:45 PM »

Lack of bullets for the 480 is a rather lame excuse IMO. You can find 275 to 420 or so in a variety of designs quite readily. If you can't blow a 4" hole out the back side of a deer or run a bullet fully lengthwise through a bear with one of the them, perhaps you chose wrong, not lacked enough selection. Besides, you can only shoot them one at a time.

Of course, you can get a 454 and use it for a 45 Colt, but why when there are already nicer Colt chambered guns already available? Besides, even the "Super Colt" doesn't shoot a 400 grainer well, and they are a bullet to behold even going at stately velocities.

Then again if hunting with a revolver at 150 yards is your deal, the 454 probably makes more sense.

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #13 on:** October 27, 2006, 12:21:37 AM »

dont know how someone can afford to shoot either of them enough to master them unless you load and cast your own anyway.

Quote from: Hairtrigger on September 24, 2006, 02:54:41 PM

I owned 2 RSH's one in 454 the other in 480.
I sold the 480 because I was unable to find a good selection of 480 bullets. I see some bullet mfgr's are now begining to make bullets for the 480

Slufoot · « **Reply #14 on:** October 27, 2006, 04:21:49 PM »

I chose a 9.5 inch SRH in 454 for the flatter trajectory. As Golsovia stated this cartridge shoots very flat out to 150 yards. Last year I got a large whitetail doe at 115 yards, my longest revolver shot on a deer. I was totally confident about making the shot while aiming through the 4X Leupold because I had a good rest and the crosshairs were steady. I load the 300 grain Hornady XTP MAG with enough Lil'Gun powder to give me 1600 FPS. I really like the SRH and the 454 Casull.
Good Shooting!
Slufoot

a45gunslinger · « **Reply #15 on:** November 14, 2006, 04:31:19 PM »

Wow, alot of .454 owners in here( finally!!)

I have one and love it , had it for a few years now but still can't seem to shoot the damn thing. I've tried all kinds of loads and the best was a 1350 fps 250grn xtp...not the mag. I've tried to shoot it everyway i know how but just can't get accuracy with a load worthy of the .454. I've had some scope issues so I took it off and it is awaiting a solid 50yd session to see what is what ..I had the ruger rings with a T/C 2.5 x 7 it's a fairly large scope and I was thinking that maybe it was just too much mass?? (any thoughts)..sorry to run with your thread larry. I would still get a .454 -Kevin

Hairtrigger · « **Reply #16 on:** November 15, 2006, 12:39:07 AM »

I had a Super Redhawk with a 9.5" barrel on it with a TC 2X7 scope. My main reason for using that scope was to see if the TC scope was "recoil proof" as advertised. I never had any issues with it. Using cast bullets I got to the point where I was hitting clay pigeons consistantly at 100 yards from a bench.
I loaned that handgun to a friend who liked it so well he did not want to return it, I guess I needed Christmas cash anyway.
I replaced it with the same except I wanted the 7.5" barrel which is a little more user friendly and have mounted a Leupold 4X on it. I have purchased a few other toys and have not given the new 454 much time not have I done anything to it's trigger. I am not sure this one will shoot as well as the first one but it will come close.

Woodchopper · « **Reply #17 on:** November 17, 2006, 08:34:52 PM »

Hello,
Im new here and seen this post.I thought i'd add my 2 cents for what its worth.I recently bought a 7.5 super redhawk in the 480 and have to say im very pleased with it.The recoil is very manageable and I have had no complaints about the accuracy either.I am using my own handloads and have had no problems finding the components like different bullets,shells, ect.I do have some experiance with the 454,my brother has a red hawk in the 454.I have shot it several times and was always kinda frightened of the recoil.I thought it was brutal and just didnt like the idea of huting with it.Thats not to say theres anything wrong with the 454s recoil,its just that I wanted something to hunt deer with that was more comfortable to shoot which i think helps with your accuracy.Im using 400 grain lee cast bullets that may be a little to big for deer but big holes leave good blood trails to follow.I to debated on what caliber to use even though little brother has a 454 and what finally sold me on the 480 was an article i found on handloader.com that talked about this exact subject.It was really informative and has to much to info to talk about here but check it out and see what you think.I guess its about personal preferance but, if you look at them ballistically(according to the artical i mentioned)theres not that much of a differance especially if your using big 400 gr bullets in the 480.Hope this helps!

corbanzo · « **Reply #18 on:** November 18, 2006, 05:03:49 AM »

A friend of mine and I both own Taurus Raging bulls, he owns a .480 Ruger, and me the .454 casull. The .454 kicks harder than the .480, that is for dang sure, more speed=more quick pop on the wrists. I bought the .454 for the same reason most do, for the trajectory and speed. I enjoy the fact that I can get a factory 240grn going 1900fps. Also factory you can get up to 350grns or so, more if you find some custom, or I've seen handloaders do over 400grns for the .454. If you are doing short range hunting only, and want to save your wrists a little, the .480 isn't a bad choice at all. If you want the brute power and speed, and longer range applicantions, definitely the .454. My buddy is jealous that he didn't get the .454, mostly because it kicks more.

southernpride · « **Reply #19 on:** December 28, 2006, 03:24:56 AM »

Get the 454. My dad had both and felt the 454 to be the far superior round and handgun. It will kick but that's part of the fun.

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #20 on:** December 29, 2006, 12:09:39 AM »

come on guys we all know the 480 is better! Those fast 45s are for yuppies to play with at the range just alot of flash and bang

Swampman · « **Reply #21 on:** December 29, 2006, 12:18:16 AM »

The .454 is a problematic cartridge, esp. in the Ruger. I wish Ruger would bring out a 5 shot .480 Blackhawk or Bisley.

The Super Redhawk and the X-frame S&W are just too big and heavy. I love revolvers, but I'd never own either.

Hairtrigger · « **Reply #22 on:** December 29, 2006, 02:07:07 AM »

Quote from: Swampman on December 29, 2006, 12:18:16 AM

The .454 is a problematic cartridge, esp. in the Ruger.

Problematic?? Tell me more. I am assuming the problems you speak of are reloaders trying to see how fast they can push bullets as I am unaware of other problems.

I did have a RSH at one time in 480 that had problems with cases sticking. After I smoothed the cylinders I had no more problems.

Swampman · « **Reply #23 on:** December 29, 2006, 02:35:43 AM »

Even in the FA 83 it's tough to keep the bullets from jumping their crimp under recoil. I constantly see post on the Ruger Forum (and others) about stuck cases in the .454 SRH.

Hairtrigger · « **Reply #24 on:** December 29, 2006, 05:28:39 AM »

Quote from: Swampman on December 29, 2006, 02:35:43 AM

Even in the FA 83 it's tough to keep the bullets from jumping their crimp under recoil. I constantly see post on the Ruger Forum (and others) about stuck cases in the .454 SRH.

The stuck cases may be due to rough chambers as in my 480. I have heard of this several times in 480 but this is the first in 454

Lawful Larry · « **Reply #25 on:** December 29, 2006, 05:51:26 AM »

My experience in stuck cases is with any magnum handguns that are loaded too hot. The cases will stick just about every time.

Don't know if any caliber has an inherit problem with this though, like some have stated with the .480?!?!

Dusty Miller · « **Reply #26 on:** December 29, 2006, 08:20:37 AM »

Truth of the matter is there is no critter on the NA continent (with the exception of the Alaskan brownies) that cannot be killed with moderate loads in either gun with a well placed shot. No need exists to make it into an anti-tank weapon just to kill deer, bear, and porkers.

Swampman · « **Reply #27 on:** December 29, 2006, 08:29:16 AM »

The sticky case probelm I'm reading about is happening even with factory ammo. Personally I feel completely comfortable with the .44 Mag or the .45 Colt.

Lawful Larry · « **Reply #28 on:** December 29, 2006, 11:04:56 AM »

Quote from: Swampman on December 29, 2006, 08:29:16 AM

Personally I feel completely comfortable with the .44 Mag or the .45 Colt.

DITTO! DITTO! DITTO!

dougk · « **Reply #29 on:** December 29, 2006, 04:42:48 PM »

Let me stettle this debate which is very interesting and informative.

Go with a 445

Actually I am looking at a Dan Wesson .445 but am having a hard time justifying the purchase buy finding a hunting application in CONUS where I would need more than a .44 mag. Please note I am in the more is better camp.