bigg revolvers

Status
Not open for further replies.
B

brian923

Member
Joined
Jul 4, 2007
Messages
676
i am looking at getting into buying and shooting a big revolver. i like the taurus raging bull, but i dont know much about any revolver. i like the 454 casull becaus i can shoot 45 long out og it as a plinking round, and can hunt with either the 45 colt or 454 casull. anyone have any opinions on this particular revolver??

also, what about other good 454 revolvers? thanks guys, brian
 
It's probably the cheapest Casull you can find, and it was about the first to hit the mass market in the mid 90's. But you'll need to handload to make the .45 Colt into a plinking cartridge or the cost will run into the thousands for ammo.

I prefer the Ruger Super Redhawk for a casull. It's a heavier revolver with a stronger frame. The very best are the original Freedom Arms casulls, but they're extremely expensive even in field grade.

If you're just starting out the best big bore is the .44 Magnum. It's easier to load for and easier to find at the store than the .45 Colt, though it's also quite expensive. I would say don't even consider getting a .454 unless you've shot one loaded hot. It's a whole different world of recoil.
 
I second what Cosmoline said. If you have not shot the big ones, I'd definitely shoot one before buying. The recoil is significant. I'd probably go with the Ruger Super Redhawk as well over the Taurus mostly because I know Rugers and don't know Taurus revolvers.
 
The rim is bigger, there's more uniformity in the loadbooks, and there are fewer overcapacity or double charge dangers. I wouldn't suggest .45 Colt to someone new to handloading big bores primarily because it's so easy to dump a double charge of unique in there and blow yourself up. It's not an advanced cartridge, but it's also not the best to start out with. The .44 is more standardized with lots of solid load data. You won't strip any rims off from making mistakes and the shell walls tend to be thick and forgiving. On top of which, if the firearm is chambered for .44 Magnum it should be good to go with .44 magnum. Whereas the .45 Colt comes in three different broad categories for different firearms. There's the "cowboy" load that either uses BP or the equivalent charge in smokless, the mid-range standard load and the whooper loads for use in specialized carbines or Rugers and revolvers chambered in .454 or .460. Mix them up and it can be kaboom time for the wrong revolver.
 
.454 Super Redhawk upper right. It has a Burris 2x scope and Hogue grips. It's a super hunting revolver and the Casull has a very flat trajectory. I've taken all sorts of big game with it. With a good rest, you can take large game at 100 yds reliabley. I load my own so I usually don't shoot 45 Colts. Unlike the huge 500 S&W, it's still compact enough to pack around.

DSC00001.jpg
 
I'll second the redhawk as well. Ruger's are friggin TANKS! They are in thier own class, many reloading manuals have "special" loads for nuclear loads for Ruger or Thompson Contenters only.

I prefer the 454, If you are going to hand load you can load 454 down to 44 mag levels but you still can have the upper punch if you really want it.
 
I wouldn't suggest .45 Colt to someone new to handloading big bores primarily because it's so easy to dump a double charge of unique in there and blow yourself up.
Click to expand...

Yeah, but this is easy to do with almost any fast powder in a magnum cartridge. Buy a Ruger, keep the loads at 32,000 CUP or less.
 
As to the original question, I'll add another vote for the Super Redhawk in .454 for DA.

I've got one of those Super Reds, but it doesn't see action with .454's. No real point. There's nothing I need to do that can't be done with +p .45 Colt. This is true for 99 percent of applications in North America.
 
Whichever you choose, BUY AMERICAN! If you ever need any factory service, you'll be glad you did. Ruger is known for taking great care to make shore their customers are completely satisfied.

I see no one has mentioned Magnum Research, but you might consider their fine BFR's. Here's one of their .454's

BAR-B-QUEGUNS013.gif

And here's a Consecutively Serial Numbered Pair of .45-70's

PistolPizza.gif
 
.454

The .454 does take a little practice. I have several .44 magnums and the recoil is just not the same as a .454 with a good hot load. Here I am after shooting a 300 grain JSP with a healty looad of 2400. How do ya'll like my custom shooting bench/garbage can?

J.B.
IMG_1653.jpg
 
I have absolutely no justification for buying a big bore revolver, but i almost walked out of the store with a Redhawk. I was comparing it directly to the Taurus 454 sitting right next to it. and the Ruger was about $20-40 cheaper, i probly could have got either with $500. The Ruger was much sweeter than i was expecting. So why dont i own one? i made the mistake of looking at ammo prices before i bought it. $30-50+ per box of 20, and 45LC wasnt much cheaper at all. still, it'd be fun that couple times a year....

oh yeah, and check out BFR's if you can handle single action. they are very smooth guns that seem to be a bargain. Redstick is my hero if he owns both those 45/70's.
 
I didn't know the BFR came with a pizza!

I've shot one in .45-70 and it was surprisingly well balanced, with a nice rolling recoil and superb accuracy. I don't think those revolvers get their props.
 
I've shot one in .45-70 and it was surprisingly well balanced, with a nice rolling recoil and superb accuracy.
Click to expand...

I frequently shoot mine one-handed and they're not too much of a handful. The .45-70 uses Rifle Powder which burns slower than Pistol Powder and giver more of a "push" than a "kick".

Them's my HOMEMADE TACO PIZZAS and that's what you make to Celebrate after you return home with a Consecutive Pair of BFR's! :D
 
There isn't much you can't do with a .44 and the ammo is reasonably available and cost effective.

Handload for it and you're golden.

I have a Casull and love it, but I pack my .44 and a rifle most often.

Took a nice hog - 160# - and anchored it with a 265g cast over a respectable but not obscene load of H110. Sweet shooting, totally effective.
 
but i dont know much about any revolver.
Click to expand...
If you've never shot a big bore you'd better try before you buy.

See if you can meet up with someone who has the types of guns you're thinking about and see if they'll let you shoot a few rounds.

Recoil in a heavy 45LC, 44 mag, 454, etc is fierce to many people.

You should also figure out if you'd like a single action vs double action.
Single actions tend to cam upward rather than smack your palm like a DA.

As far as what model, Taurus revolvers are pretty good, so are BFRs and Rugers. My personal big bore is a Super Redhawk in 480 Ruger.
My boss has a Ruger Vaquero in 45LC and it's comfortable and fun to shoot, I just prefer DA.
A Freedom Arms in 454 would be sweet if you can dump $1200 into a single action...
 
I just traded for a RSRH 454 and let me tell you it is really fun to shoot the 45LC out of it. Now the 454rds will get your attention, thats why I prefer to handload the 45LC to work up a load that is equal to a 44mag but with a larger bullet.
 
Cosmoline, I understand what your saying and allthough I dont exactly agree you do give good advice.

brian, Sorry for interupting your thread.

I and have owned and reloaded for both the 44 mag and 45colt they are both fine rounds. I have never shot a 454, but I have recently shot a S&W 460 with a 8 3/8" barrell , in fact my 15 year old son shot it too. It surprised me because it didnt have as much recoil as thought it would. The 8" barrel and the brake may have tamed it down. If I was in the market for a big bore I would have to look awfull hard at the 460. I like the idea of 460, 454, 45 colt. Just my two cents..

Good luck
 
One thing you should be aware of. The recoil of the Super Redhawk is much, much worse than that of the Raging Bull. The RB has a much heavier frame, porting and a better grip for heavy recoil. Both are nice guns ( I own both:)) and will treat you right, but I prefer the Raging Bull for 454 casull.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

damoc
  • Locked
454 / Judge Magnum Questions
Replies
13
Views
1K
Zaydok Allen
Zaydok Allen
W
  • Locked
Is their poor accuracy shooting .45 colt out of .454 casull revolver?
Replies
9
Views
4K
Steve Smith
S
adcoch1
  • Locked
  • Poll
Best platform for the 454 casull
2 3 4
Replies
76
Views
10K
Plastikosmd
P
A
  • Locked
Raging Judge
2
Replies
46
Views
11K
ljnowell
L
S
  • Locked
.454 Casull in Raging Bull or Ruger Super Redhawk?
Replies
24
Views
4K
Marshall
M
Back
Top