454 or bigger big bore?

Since you already have experienced with big bore revolvers I would go with the .460 Magnum especially since it will also shoot the 454 Casull.

I say go 480 Ruger if you going to go Ruger revolver route, 475 Linebaugh if you want something more powerful or even 460 S&W if you want something different.

I have no experience hunting with a big bore handgun. There are others here that report extensive experience. I'm only offering some comments based on what I like about some available revolvers.

The .454 seems more like a rifle cartridge than a revolver cartridge, and that comes with some drawbacks that I think make other cartridges a better choice. The same applies to the .460. These are relatively small-bore among the big-bores, they shoot comparatively light bullets among the big-bores, and they do it with high pressure and high velocity. It's almost like they're a small bore, with everything dialed up a notch. A big-bore in a different sense will have a larger caliber and heavier bullets without the extreme pressure and velocity. Personally, I think a couple of the best examples are the .500 Linebaugh and the 480 Ruger. Guns chambered for these have really big bores, not just .45's. Those big bores cause pressure to drop rapidly as the bullet starts to move. They shoot huge, heavy bullets like 400 and 525 grains. Some of those guns are very affordable also, like the Ruger Super Blackhawk and BFR, whereas many of the other revolvers chambered for cartridges over .45 caliber are much costlier custom jobs.

Someone might say, why the 480 Ruger and why not the .475 Linebaugh, but I think the Ruger makes the best of the .475 bullets and the Linebaugh just offers more velocity that's sort of contrary to the big-bore idealogy. If you need more, step up to the .500. Of course if it's a custom gun you can always load .475 Linbaugh lighter or shoot 480's in it and that's probably the way to go, but you'd have to pass up good value in a Super Blackhawk for a costlier .475 Linebaugh gun. If I was going to do that, I'd again step up to .500 Linebaugh.

Now if I was going to get a Freedom Arms revolver, I'm sure the .50 WE would be fine. They way I understand it, they used a belted case in lieu of rims so as to avoid the need for a larger diameter cylinder and frame or a lower chamber count. I'm more likely to enjoy a more modest Ruger or BFR. Why not the .500 S&W then? The pressure and velocity are excessive and I doubt it contributes to a pleasant experience. The .500 JRH is more attractive. What's better in the 50 caliber, Linebaugh or JRH? That's more than I know. Since brass is no longer an issue, I suppose it would have to do with bullet choices (there's more varieties made in .50 but heavier weights in .51) and any state legal restrictions on handguns over .50 caliber (Linebaugh is .510). What I do know is the two big S&W's are good for bragging, but then you might as well get the .45-70.

adcoch1 said:

I have been thinking about a new revolver. The 454 casull in a custom ruger Redhawk or maybe a super Redhawk. I also like the bisley super blackhawk, and consequently the BFR in 454 as well.

I shoot 44 mag a bunch, and used to have a taurus raging bull in 454 casull that never saw reduced loads. Am I selling myself short by thinking about a 454, or should I be looking at 460 or 500 S&W?

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Your not selling yourself short with a 454 Casull in a BFR. Your selling yourself short with a Taurus if anything.

I personally find the Ruger Super Redhawk to be one of thee most ugly looking revolvers out there. Looks like an Alaskan with a pipe sticking out the end. But if your even considering a BFR, dear lord is that a sweet revolver. The Magnum Research BFR was only beat by Freedom Arms in fit, finish and overall build quality out of any revolver I've seen in that price range. I'd be very happy with on chambered in 454 Casull.

The FA is a nicely fit and finished revolver with a big price tag that is ostensibly a four-shot as it cannot be safely carried with a round under the hammer. I still have one, love it and have no intention of getting rid of it. That said, in terms of absolute bang for the buck, the BFR is hard to beat. Fit and finish is outstanding, they are equipped with a transfer bar system, a match grade barrel, unequalled strength and I have yet to meet one that doesn’t shoot.

Let’s talk calibers. The .454 is a true hot rod that can be loaded from milquetoast to really raucous. It’s got enough “size” for the biggest game, and enough “pop” (these are technical terms) to be really effective on thin-skinned game that is susceptible to shock like whitetail. The .460 is all that on steroids and I just recently warmed up to that caliber when a good friend started loading good, tough bullets in his .460, that exposed the caliber for the Hammer of Thor it truly is. You can’t go wrong with either of these hyper .45s. They shoot relatively flat and yes they’re loud.

But let me back up. What do you intend to do with your bigger bore?

MaxP said:

But let me back up. What do you intend to do with your bigger bore?

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There really are no “degrees of dead,” and while I subscribe the the theory that a bigger hammer *is* better, I think I properly loaded 44 is plenty capabale of taking any game in the lower 48. That said, I would never advise someone to not buy what they want, and if my intended quarry had hair, teeth and claws that could seriously hurt me, I would up-size my hammer as much as I could handle. Max is right on target (pun intended), what do you intend to do with your bigger bore? I think if you decide that, then the appropriate bore is an easier decision.

Some things to consider:

On paper (energy) .454 is more powerful than .480 Ruger and .475 Linebaugh. This does not take into account other methods of calculating power such as TKO factor.

Though most of my experience is with .44 Mag and .454 Casull, I like the .460 S&W most of all of the as far as capabilities. In general I am not a fan of the hottest kid on the block but when the .460 came out I had an opportunity to shoot it along with a .500 S&W and that .460 really sizzled.

I don’t like the gigantic package you have to use to shoot one though. The X frame is huge and the BFR may be an oz or two lighter. So still huge. I get it though. It is a high pressure cartridge and needs strength.

I think the best compromise for cartridge is the .454 Casull in the revolver of your choosing. I would like a Ruger Super Blackhawk but the BFR seems superior based on much of the opinion here.

I like the .44 a lot and have owned them for a long time and have killed some game with them as well. That said, the .454 is a considerable step up in terminal effectiveness. Case capacity, pressure ceiling and revolvers able to exploit the high pressure levels, put it in a different class. However, your needs may not necessitate a .454. But, if you just want one, who am I to deny you?!?! Rhetorical question, no need to answer...

A great cartridge to consider is the .480 Ruger. It’s a cartridge that when loaded up still doesn’t beat on the shooter that much (the SRH is a fantastic platform for this one!). I have killed a lot of game with a .480 including the largest animal I have killed to date. This is one to seriously consider.

I will address the .50 cals a little later.

Anchorite said:

There really are no “degrees of dead,”

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Amen Brother.


According to the thomas15 doctrine, with respect to revolvers, bigger is better. Bigger frame, bigger bore, bigger bang. And always get exactly what you want make no compromises. Even if it means saving up more money and putting the purchase off for a few months.

Having said that all of the options currently on the table are total bad ass.

Please note that the 454 and 460 service pressure's are 65,000PSI.
The S&W 500 magnum is 60,000 PSI. The Ruger 480 service pressure is 48,000PSI.
With those very high operating pressures brass life will be very short.

jaguarxk120 said:

Please note that the 454 and 460 service pressure's are 65,000PSI.
The S&W 500 magnum is 60,000 PSI. The Ruger 480 service pressure is 48,000PSI.
With those very high operating pressures brass life will be very short.

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The .500 S&W and .460 are both just under 62,000 psi. Performance comes at a cost. Of course you don't have to firewall them and load them to their SAAMI maximum pressures. I doubt very much that current factory .454 is loaded to its maximum like it was earlier on (CorBon was notorious for loading the .454 really hot). However, if you do want to extract the maximum performance out of any of these cartridges, you have plenty of room to work with. That said, if you don't intend to run a .460, or a .500 Smith, like a .460 or .500 Smith, there is no point in lugging around such a big revolver when the performance you seek can be achieved with "lesser" cartridges. JMHO.

I have no idea where you get your information, but mine comes from
SAAMI.Z299.3 Page 186. The listings for service and proof pressures.
Note proof pressure for 454 and 460 is 87,500PSI and the 500 is 80,500PSI

The info. is listed under Centerfire Pistol and Revolver. You can go to SAAMI.org and see for your self.

I know I expect over a dozen loads through Hornady 454casull brass (recognizing Hornady’s reputation for being “soft”). I don’t shoot my Xframe 460 much, but I have 6 on the current batch. My wife has less brass and shoots her 500 more than I do. She’s on 8.

Sure, I’ll concede the point that high pressure revolver brass might last only a small percentage of the INIFINITE life of a milquetoast 38spcl load, but I certainly wouldn’t say brass life is “bad” for any of them. Loose pockets or split necks after 2 or 3 loadings would be one thing, but that has not been my reality.

from pg. 187 (SAAMI Z299.3) "Centerfire pistol and revolver Definitive Proof Loads should be used for one purpose only: the proof testing of Centerfire pistols and revolvers.


A list of current suppliers may be obtained from the SAAMI Technical Office."

jaguarxk120 said:

I have no idea where you get your information, but mine comes from
SAAMI.Z299.3 Page 186. The listings for service and proof pressures.
Note proof pressure for 454 and 460 is 87,500PSI and the 500 is 80,500PSI

The info. is listed under Centerfire Pistol and Revolver. You can go to SAAMI.org and see for your self.

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I believe this is a new specification (it wouldn't be the first time they have been changed). However, it wouldn't be the first time in my life that I was wrong...

You have .44's so I won't spend much time on that. There's probably nothing you want to do with a big bore that can't be done with the .44 but I ABSOLUTELY understand the want/need to try something new.

IMHO, the .454 is everything the .45Colt wanted to be but couldn't. No limitations, not caveats, no stipulations. No oversized chambers, funky chamber throats, etc.. There aren't a whole lot of options compared to .44Mag and .45Colt, with the BFR and FA being the only ones that should be run all the way to 65,000psi but the Rugers are absolutely serviceable to 55,000psi. Which is where most factory loads and handloading data reside anyway. You have tons of bullet options from lighter bullets great for flat-shooting deer loads to 400gr sledgehammers. With the A-frame and 300-325gr monolithics, you can take anything that walks or crawls.

Bigger is always better, with regards to bores and bullets anyway. However, as you go beyond the .45, bullet and firearm selection dwindles. The .480 is a great cartridge with some very packable options available. It'll sling a 425gr at nearly 1200fps and that is a big hammer. Diameter and mass with heavy cast bullets are far more effective and efficient so moderate loads are typically the most useful.

The .500JRH is probably the best of the .500's. It fits into standard sized sixguns like the Linebaughs, penetrates like the .475 but has a vastly superior selection of commercial bullets due to the popularity of the .500S&W. It and the .500WE are the only viable .50cal options for the Freedom Arms 83. The JRH was specifically developed to offer the largest rimmed cartridge that would fit the FA platform ad existing .50AE's could be easily converted with a new cylinder. With a 440gr WFN's or +400gr monolithics up to 1350fps, it'll take any game on the planet.

Objectively speaking, the Super Redhawk is not the most attractive sixgun on the planet but in it's utility, it is breathtaking! Compared to guns like the FA, they are imminently affordable. Collect the whole set!



The FA is a great sixgun and if you shop used guns, can be had for a lot less than a new one. This Field Grade was $1500 with .454 and .45Colt cylinders.



The .500JRH is king! I've been thinking about having Jack build one out of an SRH.

.500 JRH is available in a BFR as well but a new one will cost nearly as much as a used FA.

I'd go with a S&W 460 instead. 45 colt, 454 or 460 what ever power load you desire for the day.

earlthegoat2 said:

.500 JRH is available in a BFR as well but a new one will cost nearly as much as a used FA.

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And they are worth every penny as far as I am concerned. This is one of my .500 JRHs, that I took to South Africa last year. Lots and lots of terminal goodness.

I don't know, it's been a long time since used FA's were this cheap.

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/803815498

CraigC said:

I don't know, it's been a long time since used FA's were this cheap.

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/803815498

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Yeah, I forgot I was looking at BFRs MSRP. I saw some FA Fields in the $1200-$1300 range. Ive never owned or shot either but I guess it depends on your own situation as to which way you might go. BFRs seem to be so good as to be comparable to FA so it would be hard to justify even a $400 difference. At the same time the BFR also seems to be that much better than the Super Blackhawk to justify the difference.

How does the .500 JRH compare to the 500S&W?

The .500S&W launches a 440gr about 300fps faster but out of a much heavier gun.