Large Caliber Revolver Question

[Steelslinger]

I'm looking at getting a large caliber revolver. So far have been looking a .454 Casull. But I'm open to other suggestions, though not into the SW500's.

I've only found a few makers of the 454 (Ruger, Taurus, Freedom Arms and Magnum Research). What are peoples takes on these brands?

I like the look of the Taurus Raging Bull, but I hear alot of mixed reviews on quality. Unfortunently, can't afford a Freedom Arms (at the moment). Ruger I know has a very good name in the hand cannon revolvers. And I've dealt with the Magnum Research guys before, and seems like a good company.

Anything else I should look at to satisfy the Hand Cannon craving?

 

[Jim March]

Are you going to handload or not? Makes a BIG difference.

If you are, you're best served with as much case capacity as possible. The 45-70 in a BFR actually makes a lot of sense.

 

[copaup]

If money isn't an object, the Freedom Arms is really nice.
If money is an object, the Ruger is a tank, and still pretty nice.
If you want to handload some nuclear hot loads, the BFR is the ticket.
The Taurus...well, its a Taurus. It may be great, it may not. I havn't had good luck there...

I'd say go with the Ruger. Its fairly inexpensive, tough enough for any factory ammo and most handloads, and I actually think it is pretty cool looking to boot, especially in that Target Grey finish they are doing now.

If you don't have experience with these monster revolvers, start with a 44 magnum and work up. Plenty of noise and recoil. Plenty of power. More available ammo. Ability to shoot 44 spl when you don't feel like the heavy stuff. 44 Mag is great stuff. If I needed one gun that could do everything, that would probably be it. It has loads that run the gamut from being useful for defense (if you are willing to conceal that beast of a gun) to being able to drop anything on the continent up to the big bears. 44 Magnum in a N frame Smith is the stuff. Dirty Harry used one. Nuff said.

 

[Shawn Michael]

I really like my S&W

compensated hunter in .500mag....probably more than a bit overpriced but I LOVE the trigger....I have an aimpoint on the rail which they integtrated into the barrel and I can really wrap the steel target around the poles at 65 yards...lots of fun. I want to learn to reload so my thought was I can just load to whatever specs are needed without limitation. bullet weights up to 720 grains, muzzle energy up to near 3000. I shoot a lot of .500 specials....a nice comfortable soft shooter and you are still hotter than any .44. As per my understanding the .500 is a lower pressure round than the .460 or 454 so it seems well within the X-frames comfortable limits and also you can get more out of a .500 with a shorter barrel than with a 454 or 460 (this is what I have read here) so other than the expense of the ammo it is an all around winner IMO.

 

[AStone]

Slinger, what are the intended uses of this revolver that you seek?

 

[Stainz]

I bought an early Ruger 7.5" .454 SRH - after reading of their 'high tech' metals selection. I loved shooting my wimpy .454's, actually, warm .45 Colt loads in .454 cases, from it. My favorite hot round was the Hornady 240gr .454 XTP, which I chrono-ed at 1,985 fps - giving it 2,096 ft-lb - pretty substantial 'hand cannon'. That load was accurate - allowing a flier, or just being cheap and only shooting five, I could get 1.5-1.6" groups at 44yd indoor and 50yd outdoors, shooting from some blackened leather bags - and scoped (Weaver H2 2x28). That indoor range is long closed now... the .454 was pretty destructive to their absorbers, the concussion even broke lights. Note: never place your non-dominant hand's heel between the shooting bench and grip... the resulting bruise is hard to explain (My first shot!).

The recoil is more brisk - and stronger - than my usual .45 Colts. It didn't seem as brisk as a real .44M in a short 29/629. Because of that, I rate it as much more comfortable than the .44M. The SRH has a higher grip position, resulting in less distance to the 'line of action' down the bore - and less muzzle flip. The insulated grip frame helps aid the ergonomics, too. The lockwork and grip are from the GP100. I tried a lighter hammer spring - and went back the same day to OEM's due to some .454 ftf's (The .454 uses small rifle primers instead of pistol primers.).

The slow twist in the barrel favors high speed rounds - don't expect great slow .45 Colt, ie, cowboy round, groups. My 4" 625 MG in .45 Colt outgroups the .454 SRH. NEVER shoot .454's AFTER shooting .45 Colts - always clean those chambers completely after .45 Colts - that .454 round is a high pressure beast - and you don't want it impeded by crud from those .45 Colt rounds.

I traded my SRH away after getting a new 5.5" RH in .45 Colt - and realizing that my CTS-laden wrists weren't going to get better. Wrong! The RH was still bested by the MG. It's gone now, too - and I have another 625 MG in .45 Colt (Great revolver!). That SRH OEM grip is great - far better than the RH's. I guess the .454 SRH is the only Ruger I've sold that I have considered replacing... especially if I could find a .480!

Stainz

 

[JaxNovice]

Any Taurus Revolver will do. Quality is not really and issue anymore.

 

[Steelslinger]

I do handload my own ammo.

Intended purpose is fun at the range. Doubt I'd do any hunting with it.

 

[ugaarguy]

Any Taurus Revolver will do. Quality is not really and issue anymore.

http://www.grantcunningham.com/blog_files/no_taurus_work.html
Stick to Ruger and Magnum Research products for this application. Although the S&W 460 XVR, which also shoots 454 Casull and 45 Colt, leaves LOTS of room to play with as well.

 

[NavyLCDR]

+1 .460 S&W. Shoots .454 Casull, .45 LC and .460 S&W. Very very much fun at the range, especially with hot hand loaded .460 rounds. For the range, reload with the 250 grain HP/XTP Hornady bullets. They are not the magnum rated bullets so are much cheaper and I have had no problems at all with them in the hottest .460 loads.

Do NOT use plated bullets. The plating will come off between the cylinder and forcing cone.

 

[NORTEXED]

My little brother traded into a Ruger Alaskan in .454, and I kinda said "Oh, that's nice" like when you see someone's ugly baby. Then we took it out and shot it, The .454's wouldn't extract, which meant a trip back to Ruger and some chamber polishing. When it came back, it was a dream. It shoots .45 Colt loads like WC target .38's out of a 6" Model 28, and although several boxes (20 rndrs) wouldn't be fun, the Hornady .454'ss aren't that bad. They would sure be a great choice for bear (or Oldsmobile) protection though. The .454 just has a lot of versatility that the other calibres don't have. (Even gave him some of my cylinder length .45 shot loads and .45 Colt "Duplex" .454 round ball loads to play with.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

First of all, shoot a variety of revolvers in a variety of calibers. Many people find the .44 Magnum/.45 Colt (hot loaded) is about tops for them.

Shooting hot loads is not fun -- at least not after the first few rounds. If youi're not going hunting with the gun, why pay extra for something that will be less fun at the range?

I'd go with .45 Colt or .44 Mag in a S&W or Ruger.

 

[Dr. A]

I've got the 454 Alaskan, 454 Ruger super Redhawk in 7.5in. and the 7.5in. Magnum Research BFR. I do like all of them and "plink" with hot 45 Colt loads. The Rugers are very accurate, and mine were well within spec. (cylinder throats). I shoot my own cast bullets at 1200 to 1900fps in the longer barreled guns, and find them both easy to shoot. The lock time on a single action BFR is longer, so the Ruger will be quicker to learn to use. They are both very accurate and easily scoped. I find hitting swingers at 150 yards easy, and the 200 yard ones fairly easy. I am shooting the 454 loads probably 25% of the time. Serious hunting is certainly easily done with just about any load from these guns. I'd have to give the quality edge to the BFR, and also the fun factor. Ease of use goes to Ruger. The BFR will take more pressure with hot handloads, not that it makes much difference, as the Ruger will certainly take any ammo store bought with ease. I can't imagine shooting factory offerings or even jacketed bullets as much as I shoot. The hot colt loads can go well above what a Ruger Blackhawk would normally digest. The Super Redhawk is just an easy gun to shoot.

 

[Steelslinger]

I had worked at a local indoor range here a few years ago, so I was lucky enough to get to shoot a couple of 357 Mag, 44 Mag, 45-70 BFR (which is nice, probably get one after I get a 45-70 Sharps rifle) and 500SW. All of them were nice, but I wasn't sold on the 500SW (nice gun, just not for me). Not to mention, it was also when they (500SW) first arrived on the market.

I really like that SW .460 XVR. Definently sexy and versatile. I'll have to research them some more.

Thanks, keep the recommendations coming.

 

[Bearhands]

"definitely sexy"?????????????? I guess there's a fine line between "sexy" and "accurately responsible".... the caliber that fits your needs..... and is attainable, seem to fit the bill..... If your goal is to shoot one shot and be "the man"....... go for the biggest caliber on the market.

 

[Steelslinger]

Heh, I have no need to go to a range and shoot one shot and be "the man". I go to the range to have fun, maintain my firearms skills, accuracy, etc. Looking cool has nothing to do with it, but, I do like a gun the looks nice. Most of the stuff I have now is plain, simple and functional. I have my practical, "fits my needs" guns.

Definently, not looking for the biggest caliber or the biggest gun where you shoot one or two shots and have to be done because your wrist is sore. I like to be able to put anywhere from 50 to 200rds through each of my guns everytime I go out to the range, and be able to put those rounds downrange very accurately.

 

[Bearhands]

Steelslinger, my sincere apologies!.. My lil "rant" came as a result of my trip to the range yesterday where some guy was trying to blow the supports off a backstop with his 454 Casul hand cannon. I left w/ blood pressure on the rise. (I'm still kinda ticked off about it)
I've handled and shot a Ruger SRH 7.5" in that caliber and while it was a challenge, I was pleasantly suprised at the accuracy of the gun. I just wouldn't want to fire 50 rounds in succession, my wrist is old! However the ability to use 45 colt ammo would be appealing.
Again, my apologies for the comment and wish you success on your search!

 

[Stainz]

When I want to 'be da man', or, more accurately, reward 'da man' - and others, I break out my Ruger Old Army.Yep - nothing like it - especially on a hot & humid day. That pall of stinky smoke will just hang there - if you're lucky. Sadly, I am running out of real blackpowder - and no one stocks it locally. My fun is limited. Still, it's worth the hours of cleaning that SS ROA to just hear the remarks. And yes, it will often clear the adjacent lanes. I be 'da stinker' - the rewarder of not-so-nice range-mates!

Stainz

 

[Steelslinger]

Bearhands - No problem, I know the feeling. There are far too many people that don't research their gun purchases enough, and only get things because of the macho cool factor. One of the reasons I've seen alot of used 500SW's for sale.

Yeah, I highly doubt I'd put 50rds through at a time on a large caliber revolver, with that, I'd be happy with 2 or 3 cylinders worth at least.

 

[Steelslinger]

Well, I went to a local gunshop to see what the offerings were. They had a SW 460V (5" barrel) and a Ruger Super Red Hawk 454 Casull (7.5" barrel). It was a nice chance to compare handling side-by-side (although with a mangled finger, was a bit difficult).

I must say, I like the feel of the Ruger above the SW. And realistically, $300 more just to add another caliber, just not worth it in my mind. At least not with it being primarily a plinker vs. a hunter.