Good choice for 454 Casull?

[Third_Rail]

Hi all, I'm looking for a resonably priced (read: less than $1000) revolver in 454 Casull. I've seen a few, never handled any, and I'm lost as to what to look for. I've never checked what size revolver fits best in my hand, but a Beretta 92FS fits perfectly, if that helps.

Ideas?

 

[Slow]

IMHO a Ruger Super Redhawk (around $600.00) and buy some good ammo or reloading equipment ( you will need it as .45 Colt and .454 Cassull is expensive). If shooting long range 100yds+ get a handgun scope any closer and you can use open sights or 1" Ultradot. This is what I have done.

 

[454c]

I think Ruger and Taurus are the only ones under a grand.

 

[tiberius]

You may be able to get a BFR for <$1k, but I've never shot one.

 

[Redhawk1]

I would either get a Ruger or BFR. Both are great guns. IMHO

 

[Black Snowman]

I want a 454 myself and I'm leaning tward the Ruger. There seem to be a lot of used ones in my area. At least one local store always seems to have one which I find strange since if the Cassul is too much for you then you still have an excellent .45 Colt platform.

 

[Greybeard]

A couple of months ago, I let a buddy talk me into a 7 1/2" Ruger SBH for hog hunting. He handloads, so ammo cost has been reasonable. Thus far, I've shot less than 50 rounds of .45 thru it and maybe 1/3 that of the .454. The gun is probably far more accurate than the operator.

The downside of the gun for me is that it is a real BEAST to carry for long periods walking as a "backup". Thus far, I've only carried it on two hunts, once in a leather hip holster and the other time (as the "primary" in the rain) on a web belt with shoulder straps, which made it somewhat more tolerable.

With the limited amount of practice I've done so far with the iron sights, I would be comfortable popping a pig out to about 25 yards. Beyond that would get "iffy" for my old eyes. At this point, I've about decided that I either need to sell the SBH and use the money to get a Glock 10mm for "backup" OR go ahead and scope the SBH and get an across-the-chest holster to carry it as the "primary".

But ... the Leupold 2 X 8 scope I want and holster would set me back around $500 - and I'm still not sure how uncomfortable the set-up would be after packing it for hours in the places I seem to go. I swear, I've got some LONG GUNS that weigh less than the .454 SBH !!! At the end of a couple days earlier this year, I would have sold the SBH real cheap!

 

[Third_Rail]

Okay, but... BFR? What's that?

And I knew that you could fire another .45 cartridge through it, I didn't realize it was .45 colt, though. That's handy. The reloading is no problem, as I'll be buying only a few factory rounds, then buying new brass/etc. for reloading. The factory ammo is for comparison.

Thanks on all the answers so far.

 

[tiberius]

A large framed SA revolver that is reported to be of very high quality. .454 Casull is NOT one of the strongest calibers they are chambered for.

http://www.magnumresearch.com/BFR.asp

 

[Third_Rail]

Hm, I was hoping for a shorter revolver in 454 Casull... 3.5-4.5 inch barrel, perhaps? Are they even made?

And before anyone asks, YES this will be my carry piece, regardless of weight. I need a big powerful round and a platform that won't fail to go bang when the trigger is pulled, hence a 454 Casull revolver.

 

[Sean Smith]

You can get custom conversions like that, but nobody sells a gun like that from the factory that I know of.

Something like this:

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=27501

 

[Third_Rail]

Hm... would a gunsmith shorten a barrel and install a new sight/recrown and all? I don't care about shooting 45 acp, but 454 Casull is a must. I wonder what the recoil would be like...

 

[P95Carry]

I got the Raging Lunatic first ... and like that a lot ... but always have loved Redhawks .. so to go with my 9 1/2" SRH in .44mag .... sorta weakened and got the .454 version! Oops!!

I think for shere long range specialization aspects, the SRH has it .. plus from a cost POV . it is the better value IMO.

Mind you the Taurus does have a very tough cylinder lockup system ... and seems to take the punishment but I have heard it said that overall the Ruger will take the heat better - and for longer.

But then ..... we are hardly talking 1,000's of rounds .... are we?!

 

[dvnv]

Third_Rail: If it was my money I would look for a used field grade Freedom Arms. With a little effort you should be able to find one less than $1,000. Of course you will likely end up with a 7.5" barrel. It can be cut down. I would keep it in the 5" range (which I think comfotable to pack around), if you must, maybe 4 ". It is going to have some snappy recoil though...my .02, dvnv

 

[dairycreek]

Dear Third_Rail!

Check out the Bowen web site.

http://www.bowenclassicarms.com/Default.htm

You might just find what you are looking for. Good shooting

 

[Third_Rail]

NICE. The pricetag of $7,500 for the revolver I want is a bit high, though.

 

[Third_Rail]

Nevermind, I see that they have some NICE revolvers for less than $1,000. That's the stuff.... Thanks!

 

[J Scott]

If you must have a 454, look around for a used Freedom Arms (field grade).

People that are much more involved in firearms than me, say that a .45LC will do anything a 454 will do. If you subscribe to that theory, buy a ruger and feed it some Corbon or Buffalo Bore ammo. You will get your "fix" then.

Good Luck,

J Scott

 

[Third_Rail]

Nah, I want a 454 Casull. And since I'm going to be carrying it, I'd rather feel comfortable with my sidearm than have something to worry about.

 

[tc300mag1]

I would go for a super redhawk unless a heck of a deal on a freedom arms came along

 

[tgs]

454 Taurus Raging Bull.....

If you ever shot a 454 youll know there is nothing short of a 475 Limbaugh to compare with the recoil. Its probably the worst choice you could make for a carry (Self Defense against or back up aginst dangeous game is fine) The Taurus has a weak cylinder material and with hot loads it expands when fired and contracts intensely about the empty and can be a real pain in the ??? to empty the cylinder(depending on what powder your using) .
Ive had the problems with both Taurus and Redhawk. Never had any problem with the Freedom arms.
I love the caliper but would really discourage the Taurus. It will not stay timed for any length of time and unless your into the "repair department" I'd stay away from it. If you dont like BIG recoil dont buy it just because you can "load it down" .45LC in the taurus RBull is simply stupid. and youll realize it the first time you do it. Im waiting for a 500 s/w to try out and doubt it will compare to the 454. Search for a Freedom arms and save yourself some headaches...really.. Plan on spending for a high end scope cause a cheap one wont last 10 rounds.The recoil curls your toe nails and I will say the grip on the taurus is excellent but with 300gr plus load it will curl your toenails. Taurus accuracy is at first excellent and goes in the crapper fast. The redwawk isnbt ported and neither is the Freedom arms and without it the 454 will wear you out real fast. I love the caliper and set up right its a lot of fun. Set up wrong and its not nice.

 

[TheBundo]

The Bee Gees say the Taurus Raging Bull is the best, like HERE

 

[Stainz]

First, I have never seen the Ruger SBH in .454 Casull. The stock Ruger SBH's, including the 'Hunter' versions, are all .44 Magnum. The only .454 Casull chambered Ruger is the Super Redhawk (SRH), and it is quite different from the .44 Magnum version of the SRH, much less the original Redhawks. I bought my .454 Casull SRH new several years ago - as my first ever DA revolver. It's purchase was related firstly to it's ability to launch .45 Colts - secondly, due to it's design & material selection. Of course, I had to 'try' .454's...

I have shot 300 .454 Casulls; 240 & 300 gr Hornady's and 260gr MagTech's. I have reloaded those cases and shot/reshot reloads ~1,000 times, admittedly at very low levels (250 gr LRNFP & 260gr JHP @ 950-1,000 fps). I have shot thousands of .45 Colts, too, although I have tired of the required cylinder scrubbing and now shoot .454 Casull cased rounds exclusively. I am a plinker, not a hunter... my targets are small metal plates at 110yd. I bought a Weaver H2 2x28mm SS handgun scope to assist my mature eyes withinn the first month of my SRH's ownership - great adjunct to my shooting accurately. A HiViz front sight replacement followed... both have withstood the recoil quite well. In fact, I can remove the sight and replace it - and still hit a 12" plate at 110yd without adjustments.

Accuracy... My best groups - 5 of 6 (I allow a flier...) within 1.5 in indoors at 44yd (Not reccomended - the blast & noise are unreal!) and 50yd outdoors with Hornady XTP's 240gr @ 2,000 fps (I chrono-ed the last batch at 1,980fps.), the 'hottest' (~2,130 ft lb KE) round of those I have shot. My .45 Colts did miserably, ~ 4+ in at 50yd. That improved to ~2.5 in - and the same POI as the .454's at 100 yd - with my .45 Colt-level .454 Casull reloads. I must assume that the SRH's barrel is rifled slowly - favoring a higher speed round. My only failure to fire has been with the Wolff replacement springs... the OEM's went back that night. I find the recoil with the 240gr XTP's to be the most harsh - still not as bad as I remember from a wood stocked 29's hot .44M recoil years ago. I shot a RB once, and did not note a reduced recoil with it - just more noise. The RB owner liked my SRH a lot better, too. Additionally, the SRH is an American made six-shooter...

You could buy a 7.5" one and shoot it first... then, if you are 'pleased' with it's performance, find a good 'smith and have the barrel shortened. When I find a deal on another one, I may just do that as well!

Stainz

 

[Third_Rail]

Thanks, it's always nice to hear more experience on the firearms I'm looking at.

 

[protozo1]

I didn't read all the posts so I may be repeating. The Taurus is available with a ported 5 inch barrel, it's a five shot, and its got a great grip (thick, very well cushioned, and wide to take recoil). The ruger is bigger and heavier (7.5" barrel unless you get it cut down), it's a six shot, its built like a tank. These are the 2 guns I'm considering in 454. The blackhawk (I've never seen in 454) and the freedom arms have the same type of grip which I find doesn't fit me at all, (the BFR has the same grip shape) as far as I'm concerned the freedom arms and bfr feel very similar to me. Now that said, the freedom arms is the top quality gun out of the whole group and you'll pay for that quality. I think after all I've read from all the knowing folks on all the sites I visit, I'll be buying the ruger super redhawk with the 7.5" barrel. Now I read earlier you wanted this to be your carry gun. Unless your paper route is in grizzly country you'd probably be better off with a Glock 10mm with high caps it will give you the option of plenty of power for 2 legged or medium 4 legged problems and its about the same price or cheaper than the others.