I am considering getting a Ruger Super Blackhawk in 480 ruger. Primary intent would be a bear defense cartridge (please no comment vs bear spray) and as a general addition to a family collection. My father already has 3x 44 mags, a 45 LC, and a 454 casull. I do not wish to double up on a cartridge we already have. It appears reloading components are moderately available. But would I be better served with a 460 or a 500? I'm not terribly interested in either of those two because I'm not a big fan of those hugely framed revolvers. The chosen gun would get hiked miles and weight is a slight consideration. So factoring recoil, weight, and availability of components the first 2 make me lean towards 480, the later makes me question it. Just wondered what others with experience might have to say on it.
480 Ruger worth getting?
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stchman
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The .480 Ruger SBH isn't going to do anything that the .44 Magnum SBH can't besides be .480 Ruger. Also the ammo is more expensive and less available that .44 Magnum. Get it if you wish, but it's not going to do anything more for you.
VThillman
Member
The 480 has a little more jism than the 44, but if you're hiking in brown bear/grizzly country the 454 seems to make folks worry less. In one of those chest rigs the extra weight oughta be distributed pretty well. Note that my only experience with 'trans-44' guns is what I've read about them.
I know it's not even in the same class as those, but the frame size jumps considerably from a SBH to anything that handles 460 or 50. Recoilwise, i could load down a 460, but then it's basically just a 454 and still in the huge frame. The 50sw could be loaded or trimmed down, but the frame is massive and doesn't like it would be much fun to handle. So 480 seems like a decent compromise before stepping up to 460/50sw (I know 475 linebaugh is in there too but at triple the gun cost)
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Varminterror
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The .475 Linebaugh is one of my favorite cartridges of all time - probably second favorite in revolvers, only behind the .44mag, MAYBE 3rd behind 44 and 357/44. The .480Ruger is also near and dear to my heart since it's the little brother to the .475line.
There is a distinct difference in killing done with the 480R compared to the 44M, without question.
One of my projects this year will be converting my .480R SBH to an original Vaquero, to give me all of that power but in a fixed sight wheelgun.
I prefer, however, to carry a DA revolver for bear. The cartridge is a fine choice, but I'd prefer it in a Super Redhawk over a Super Blackhawk.
There is a distinct difference in killing done with the 480R compared to the 44M, without question.
One of my projects this year will be converting my .480R SBH to an original Vaquero, to give me all of that power but in a fixed sight wheelgun.
I prefer, however, to carry a DA revolver for bear. The cartridge is a fine choice, but I'd prefer it in a Super Redhawk over a Super Blackhawk.
The .480 is most definitely a bigger hammer than a .44 Mag. I wonder why folks make statements like this. I've used both calibers in question on big game and the .480 is a whole lot more, without unmanageable recoil.
22-rimfire
Member
I like the 480 Ruger. I consider it just about as "big" as I want to go and you can easily shoot 400 gr bullets in it like the 475 Linebaugh. Get it. Great caliber and great revolver. I would imagine you'll have to get used to the recoil. But that goes without saying and it is a whole lot more gun than a 44 mag. Just remember you are shooting a larger diameter bullet and that can't hurt on dangerous game.
That's kinda why I was looking favorably at the 480, seems like you can get some good performance without extreme recoil. I dont know why some people call it a "dead cartridge" or "useless". Dont get me wrong I respect the 460 and the 50, they produce some tremendous energy, but it comes at a price.
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Ohen Cepel
Member
50AE may be an option to think about also. There are also custom 50's out there that fit into a more normal sized pistol then the 500S&W which I think it getting too large for a revolver.
Check Freedom Arms line (50AE and 50WE), Bowen, and maybe Reeder for other options.
I like the 480 but look into the cost of ammo and even reloading components since it takes a less common bullet diameter than most cartridges.
Check Freedom Arms line (50AE and 50WE), Bowen, and maybe Reeder for other options.
I like the 480 but look into the cost of ammo and even reloading components since it takes a less common bullet diameter than most cartridges.
22-rimfire
Member
A 5" BFR in 475/480 would be sweet!
Panzerschwein
member
It used to be said that the .44 Remington's Magnum was all the cartridge the average shooter could be counted on to reasonably master. After the invention of the .480 Ruger's Magnum, that title went to the latter.
While the .480 RM didn't make a huge splash, I'd still get one for that very reason.
While the .480 RM didn't make a huge splash, I'd still get one for that very reason.
Crowman
Member
An old friend of mine bought a Taurus Raging Bull chambered in 480 Ruger, then he bought a stainless Puma 92 with 16-1/2" barrel also in 480 Ruger as a companion piece. I remember him researching the cartridge and delivery platforms for months before springing for the duo. He brought them over to my range and I shot both.
You get more power than a 44 Magnum, but with less push back than a 454 Casull. We did a comparison between his 480 Taurus and my Super RedHawk Alaskan 454. Not a good comparison, 2-1/2" barrel (Ruger) vs. 6-1/2" barrel (Taurus), 44 oz (Ruger) vs. 53 oz. (Taurus).
The real apples to apples comparison was between his Puma 92 in 480 and my Puma 92 in 454. Both carbines were identical. Both were thumpers, but there was some difference in felt recoil, the 480 seemed to "kick" less. Note that all this "research" was purely subjective. I went with the 454 Casull because I load 45's, and could shoot 45 Schofield and 45 Colt as well as the 454 Casull in one gun. Now 17 years later, I dropped my "power levels" down to 44 magnums and 357 magnums.
The 480 is a good cartridge and you would not be disappointed, so go for it.
You get more power than a 44 Magnum, but with less push back than a 454 Casull. We did a comparison between his 480 Taurus and my Super RedHawk Alaskan 454. Not a good comparison, 2-1/2" barrel (Ruger) vs. 6-1/2" barrel (Taurus), 44 oz (Ruger) vs. 53 oz. (Taurus).
The real apples to apples comparison was between his Puma 92 in 480 and my Puma 92 in 454. Both carbines were identical. Both were thumpers, but there was some difference in felt recoil, the 480 seemed to "kick" less. Note that all this "research" was purely subjective. I went with the 454 Casull because I load 45's, and could shoot 45 Schofield and 45 Colt as well as the 454 Casull in one gun. Now 17 years later, I dropped my "power levels" down to 44 magnums and 357 magnums.
The 480 is a good cartridge and you would not be disappointed, so go for it.
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
The .44Mag is a great cartridge and I'm a big fan of it but the .480 is without a doubt a bigger hammer. A 425gr at 1200fps, compared to a 355gr at 1200fps, with a significantly larger meplat is a measurable step up.
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
They're doing the .454 and .480 Bisley's in the 4 5/8" length.
stchman
Member
Look at the numbers, the 480 Ruger typically delivers a little over 1300 ft-lbs of energy, the .44 Magnum delivers a little over 1200 ft-lbs of energy. Buffalo Bore makes a +P+ .44 Mag that delivers over 1500ft-lbs of energy. Not to mention I can go to pretty much any store that sells ammunition and .44 Magnum is available. So I stand by my original statement that .480 Ruger isn't going to give the OP any more benefit. If the game where he lives is that mean, nasty, and huge, I'd be carrying a AK-47 on my hikes.
The OP apparently WANTS a .480 Ruger revolver and "just to have" is a valid reason. I have a safe full of "just to have" guns.
Muzzle Energy is a poor measure of lethality and it does nothing more than help sell ammunition. One of the most impressive loads I have seen on big game is a .500 Linebaugh load that pushes a 525 grain bullet at a whopping 1,150 fps. That calculates (note that ME must be calculated as it cannot be measured) out to about 1,400 ft. lbs. Big deal, right? A .22-250 in just about any loading will produce more ME. Which one do you think is more effective on bison? Or Cape buffalo? ME is truly irrelevant. I will assume by your above post that you do not hunt with handguns. Am I correct?
Oh, and we are not arguing bullet availability, but caliber effectiveness and a 400 + grain .476 diameter bullet makes a considerably larger hole than a .429. And an AK47 would pretty much be the last firearm I would use for any animal protection.
stchman
Member
I'm pretty sure an AK-47 with a 30 round magazine of hollow point ammo would do a pretty good job on a large animal, but we're not here to debate that.
The Buffalo Bore +P+ .44 Magnum uses a 340gr bullet, that's a pretty big bullet with a LOT of energy.
We're not here to debate the AK 47, but you brought that example into the thread. Hollow-points from an AK 47 may or may not penetrate well, and I wouldn't bank on them to stop any dedicated attack from a large animal. You didn't answer my question about using handguns on big-game. Muzzle Energy determines nothing.The .44 Mag, using a 200 grain bullet or a 340 grain bullet is still a .429 diameter bullet. A .480 is a .476 which is a considerable step up from the .44 Mag. I like the .44 and have used it with success on big-game, but it is no .480 I can tell you with certainty.
stchman
Member
I have never shot an animal with a handgun, but if I were to go bear hunting, a handgun would be my last choice. I would probably use something like a .375 H&H Magnum or a .458 Winchester Magnum rifle.
By your logic, the .480 Ruger with its .475" diameter would do more damage than a .454 Casull with its .452" diameter bullet? Nevermind that the M.E. of the Casull is significantly more.
Ed Ames
Member
I've never fired one but my experience with big bore revolvers has lead me to think the .480 is a good idea.
That said, If your interest is a bear protection gun, why a single action? Not saying it's the wrong choice but I have played around quite a bit with an Alaskan in .454 and - whether .480 or .454 - I can't think of a reason I personally would prefer an SBH for a woods gun.
I think the SBH big bores are neat, and if I can find one in a configuration I favor (about a 3-5" barrel) I will probably play around with one of them too, but not for besr defense. I've been to Alaska but the closest I've come to a wild bear was stepping around droppings so I'm no expert on them.
That said, If your interest is a bear protection gun, why a single action? Not saying it's the wrong choice but I have played around quite a bit with an Alaskan in .454 and - whether .480 or .454 - I can't think of a reason I personally would prefer an SBH for a woods gun.
I think the SBH big bores are neat, and if I can find one in a configuration I favor (about a 3-5" barrel) I will probably play around with one of them too, but not for besr defense. I've been to Alaska but the closest I've come to a wild bear was stepping around droppings so I'm no expert on them.
22-rimfire
Member
My guess is that you're splitting hairs between the equally loaded 454C vs 480R. I view it much like the 41 mag vs 44 mag discussions that take place.
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