Changed my mind about Ruger Alaskan

[22-rimfire]

I had a suspicion that shooting the 454 in the Alaskan would be punishing. I have shyed away from the light weight 41 magnums as well for the same reason. But, the intended purpose of the firearm is a last resort defensive gun against essentially bears or other vermin that are set on hurting you (as in eating you). For that purpose, I guess if I could hit a 6" pie plate at 15 yds, I would be okay with it, but shoot it sparingly.

Not to change the focus of the thread, but I have often wondered if people really feel they can handle shooting the likes of a full power loads in 44 mag, 41 mag, 480 Ruger, 454 etc... I have a 9.5" 480 SRH and to me it is pretty punishing, and I am pretty well done after maybe 20 rounds. This does not lend itself to long shooting outings are really getting proficient with the gun. I do much better with the 41 mag (Model 57's).

Is felt recoil that much different from say a single action design versus double action design? I always shoot double action revolvers and have no experience with the SA's other than in 22.

 

[Old Fuff]

Now Fuff,everyone knows that to have the biggest ya need to buy a 500.

Oh, I intend too.... The little Ruger is just a toy.

Now REAL MEN will get the one Taurus just came out with.

Model M500MSS2

.500 S&W (or .460 S&W) 2 1/2" barrel

You shoot it first...

 

[PlayboyPenguin]

As a few have pointed out I could just shoot .45colt through it but if I was going to do that I would just buy a .45colt. I already have one with a 3.75" barrel which I love.

 

[Surefire]

I want an Alaskan to use as a .45 Colt / .45 Colt +P pistol. I wish there was a .45 Colt +P version available. If I ever get an Alaskan, I will ONLY shoot .45 Colt in it. I've fired .454 Casull before, and it is way above my pain tolerance. My limit is .44 Magnum in a big revolver.

By the way, anyone that can handle .50 rounds of .454 Casull in one session has my respect. I fired SIX, and then quit. Too much recoil for my tastes...

 

[Old Fuff]

Why fool with the .45 Colt when you can download a .44 Magnum to Plus-P .45 levels? Lots of revolvers on the market that are, or can easily be made into a snubby if that's what you want.

 

[Surefire]

Why fool with the .45 Colt when you can download a .44 Magnum to Plus-P .45 levels? Lots of revolvers on the market that are, or can easily be made into a snubby if that's what you want.

True...if one goes the gunsmith route.

Maybe a Super Redhawk cut down to 3" or 4" barrel would be better for me.

 

[Surefire]

Ruger is in the business of selling firearms, and while they knew they're might be a little (very little) interest in the Alaskan as a serious bear gun, they also knew that they'd sell like hotcakes on a cold morning to folks that simply were interested in the bragging rights (my snubby is bigger then your snubby...ya, ya, ya...), and besides they'd be easy to handle when loaded with .45 Colt cartridges.

This is how I see it too. I don't know many people that buy the Alaskan to take into bear country--that should be reserved for rifles or shotguns. Most people I know that have an Alaskan bought it because there are not many choices out there for big-bore snubbies. For example, in my case I'd really like a .44 Special snubbie like a S&W 696, but since they are hard to find now an Alaskan would fit the bill, provided it is loaded with .45 Colt rounds.

 

[Iron Mike]

I have a Vaquero in .45LC and I would think that the .45 loaded with 300 grain Corbons would probably provide all the power you might need.Also ,with the seven and a half inch barrel (which mine has)it is quite controllable.
Mike

 

[PlayboyPenguin]

Iron Mike

You barrel is bigger than mine. I have the .45colt birds head vaquero but it only has the 3.75" barrel. Like they say though, it is not the size of the barrel but how well you use it.

 

[Cuda]

Was at the range the other day and next to the wife and I was a guy shooting off 45colts (I know this cause I asked). So a bit later the noise level changed dramatically so I look over again and BOOM... Once he was done I went over to see what he was shooting and sure enough it was a 454. Don't recall the make of the gun because I was more interested in finding out how he liked that load.. He put 5 rounds through the gun and said that's enough, way to much recoil and pounding on his hands to continue.. He went back to the 45..

It may not be the most appropriate gun but it is fun to hear that cannon go off..

JMO

 

[MrBigStuff]

Got the .480 Ruger Alaskan

With Buffalo Bore 410 grainers that chrono at nearly 1100 FPS it's a beast. A good amount of power for a " compact" ( belt) gun.

 

[seeker_two]

I think it would be great as a car/truck SD gun...

1. Simplicity of a revolver.
2. Can handle any .45Colt loads (cowboy to magnum) with ease.
3. Six-shot cylinder with big holes = easy to reload.
4. Short barrel easy to manipulate in a car or truck.

...and, most importantly...

5. Sturdy & heavy enough to use as a bludgeon when you run out of ammo...

 

[JNewell]

To follow Old Fuff's thread a bit, 3" Model 29s and 629s are not all that hard to find. It is a .429 rather than a .452 if that matters, and of course the N frame won't take 65k psi pressures that a full-house .454 Casull load generates, but then most shooters won't either - at least not for long...

 

[carpettbaggerr]

I think it would be great as a car/truck SD gun...

Yes, I agree, it would be ideal for defending yourself against cars and trucks. Assuming you cannot carry a long gun, that is........

 

[Stainz]

I had a 7.5" .454 SRH for years - traded it ultimately on a new 5" h-l 686+. It's ergonomics are superior to the usual S&W N-frames, and it's padded grip helps, too. I shot over 400 Hornady 240gr .454 XTP's, which chrono-ed 1,984 fps from my SRH (>2,100 ft-lb) - and a mix of other Hornady and MagTech .454's as well. I also shot thousands of .45 Colts of all levels - and some homebrew +P .45 Colts in .454 cases. My worsening CTS (From turning wood bowls by hand - not from shooting!) made me consider less punishment - and a range-friend wanted it for deer-season.

Last year, a friend got a .454 Alaskan - and shot some .45 Colt Cowboy loads from it - with gloves - and loaded it with Magtech .454's, certainly not as big a recoiler as my favored 240gr XTP's, for me. I hit six of six small rebounding plates at 15yd, wondering if the flame I was producing blistered the plate's finish. It bounced a lot, and did have a bit of a brisk recoil. The plates were hit solidly, of course. Late last year, I got to shoot a .480 Alaskan with heavy weight loads. Yes, it had significant recoil - just not as 'snappy', if my memory properly served me, as the .454. If I reloaded, as I do, I'd opt for the .480, else, the more frugal .45 Colt 'cowboy' practice loads make the .454 variant one you might actually shoot a bit. Neither is a plinker.

I still maintain that the 629MG is a better choice for a woods gun. Stoke it with standard .44 Magnums for the ultimate protection; 200gr Gold Dot .44 Specials for urban carry. At 39.5oz, and with a proper trigger, it is a great plinker/toter. I highly endorse the Hogue made-for-S&W .500 Magnum grips, $35 from S&W Accessories, as great recoil absorbers. They fit K/L, N, and X-frames - and cover that backstrap with a recoil-absorbing rubber. Both the 629MG and 625MG are currently available new as 'Stocking Dealer' goodies - and are less than new Alaskans. Still, the Alaskan is kind of neat.

Stainz

PS The 4" .500 actually has an integral port taking up the last inch... unported, it would only be 3"!

PPS The actual worst recoil I have experienced in recent years was a full-house .357M in a 12 oz 340SC. Next was a .50AE DEII... that 'twist' after the recoil really hurts. Hot .44M's in an old wood-gripped 29 were next... the .454 was after that!

 

[nyresq]

I'd rather shoot my 460 S&W (7.5" PC) then my 329PD. the scandium 44mag is painfull with full power magnum loads. 30 oz. with 240 gr magnum loads is not for plinking. I have the standard hogue grips on it now, but I have a set with the covered back strap on order, hopefully they will make it a little more pleasent to shoot for more then 25 rounds.
the 460 I can shoot 40 rounds with no problem or discomfort. (40 rounds is my budget induced limit per range trip).
one box through the 329 is a struggle for the last cylinderful. I've never shot the alaskan, but I'll put the 329pd in the same class of recoil.

 

[Lobotomy Boy]

I've been looking into a hiking/fishing gun like this for a while, and from what I've been told, it is the vibration in the Scandium .44 Magnums that hurts more than the recoil.

I've been trying to find an Alaskan to rent for some time, but so far no range is carrying them. Maybe at Bill's open house at the end of the month.

 

[JMusic]

I had a chance to buy a Raging Bull in 454 a few years ago. Having a Vaquero in 45 lc and a 44 mag 629 I thought I could easily handle the recoil. After three shots I put it down. The best description I can give on the recoil is to open your hand as if to purchase your weapon and then slam the webbing of your hand into a two X four. That is what it felt like to me. Too much gun or not enough man. Needless to say I didn't buy it.
Jim

 

[picturerock]

I just have to throw my two cents worth into this thread. In my younger years I invested in a FA with a 7.5 inch barrel in 454. Having now shot it for over ten years, I can say that if I limit my shots to no more than 20 at a time to avoid bang fatigue, the gun has actually helped improve my shooting with all my revolvers. I initially had a similar reaction as Penguin, but I learned to concentrate intensely before every shot on not flinching and properly squeezing the trigger while aiming, and I have been able to realize the potential of the gun and round. I consider each shot to be an "investment" of a type, and not just because each shot costs over a buck each. When the technique I use for the 454 is used on my other less punishing guns, I have found much better accuracy to result. You just have to step back from the round and take each one one at a time, and try to forget the boom thats coming as you squeeze the trigger. It isn't easy, but its certainly rewarding when the result is good. I personally think about twenty shots in a row is max, although more or less might be ok on any particular day. All in all, I'm very happy I kept mine and worked on making it shoot for me.

 

[PlayboyPenguin]

I think some people are missing the subtle point of my post. I am not saying the gun is too uncomfortable to shoot. I am saying that because of the recoil if you where ever in a situation where you had to do an immediate one handed draw and shoot from the hip it would be almost impossible to hit something with it at more than a few yards. And you would definately not be able to get off an accurate second shot.

When I carry a weapon for self defense this is my criteria for it's use. I have to be able to draw it one handed, then immediately fire it from the hip with decent accuracy. Kind of like a cowboy shooting stance. I think it is the most realistic way to practice for a sudden and dangerous situation. If this gun was just going to be for fun I would not mind having to go the extra steps and taking an extra second for accuracy. But in a self defense situation that extra second could get you a set of moose prints on your forehead.

 

[JMusic]

I don't think I missed your point at all. The fact is this round was not designed to shoot in a modern style handgun that brings recoil straight back into your hand. It was designed to shoot in Colt single action style revolvers that tend to roll recoil up. My experience was painful. I've shot shotguns one handed many times but have never had recoil hurt like this caliber did in this specific revolver. I agree you could get the first shot off and that is about it.
Jim

 

[Lloyd Smale]

Ive got one and probably have a 1000 rounds through it. IN my opinion its the mildest shooting big bore ive ever shot. Alot of that is due to the tammer grips on it and i think some is because the short barrel has the bullet in it a shorter amount of time and keep the muzzle flip down. Shotting it is a joy compared to my 500s and 475 with heavy loads and no less comfortable to shoot then a 4 inch smith 44mag. . Shot alot of rounds through it DA and to me it was a ball. With a heavy load it will shoot an rcbs 300swcgc into less then 2 inches. Hell i even shot a round of ppc (had mine cut for moon clips)with it and shot a 284 out of 300. Thats about 10 worse then normal but still respectable enough to tell me that it wouldnt make a bad sef defense gun against two or four legged animals. 6 shots 10 ring in 10 seconds wouldnt make for what id consider a slow gun and yes ive shot it one hand and believe it or not i still do have that hand.

 

[JMusic]

Lloyd my hats off to you. You're certainly a better man than me when it comes to shooting these cannons. I'll stick with my 44 mag and 45 LC +P loads. I will admit though the S&W 460 has my intrest have you shot that yet?
Jim

 

[CAnnoneer]

+1 cosmoline

Fearing the punishment completely messes up any decent aim.

I have experiences similar to the thread-starter, but involving the Redhawk. It is a beautiful revolver, with the classical curves and distinguished grace of a Greek goddess. I always salivated over it until I tried it out.

Then I discovered I hated the tang of the handle, while the .44 mag was a real pain to shoot. It felt like I was losing skin with every shot and anticipating the pain made me flinch like crazy spraying all over the target. To verify that it was the flinch, I purposefully loaded only some chambers with live rounds and could see myself duck and cover on the empties. By the 25th shot I hated the .44mag, and by the 50th I swore never to fire it again. My hand hurt for a day after that.

I also tried the Dirty Harry favorite - .44 spl in the same RH. Those were far more manageable and felt softer than .45acp in a 1911. So, I might eventually buy a RH to shoot .44 spl if I figure out a good way to modify the handle and get rid of the tang.

 

[tgfang]

Blackhawk 44

I have thought of getting a Blackhawk .44 Magnum, but my enthusiasm has cooled somewhat after reading some of the posts above. I had a .45 Colt Blackhawk for awhile, and did not find the recoil objectionable, but did not shoot any heavy loads with it. Those of you who did not like shooting .44 Magnum much, were you shooting a single actions such as a Blackhawk?

Tom