What particular revolver does he have in 480? I have a 9.5" SRH. I would prefer a 7.5" I think, but both are tanks.
It is an excellent hunting hunting caliber and sufficient to take just about any game in North America. It does have recoil (more than a 44 mag) and actually performs like you read in the gun magazines and so forth back when it was introduced. Do some searching and you will find articles written by the gun authors.
It fulfills the energy enhancement I wanted over my 41 mags. It would have been no different as far as the 44 Mag goes as well. (I just wanted something a little bigger.) The 480 is a good caliber and much deserving of better popularity and support than Ruger ever gave it.
Scoped or other sighting device is up to you. I have my SRH scoped (2x Leupold) and have not decided what I will do with my BFR. Many like the red dots which makes them quicker handling. If I were buying one 480 Ruger revolver today, I would buy the BFR. Magnum Research still makes them with the 7.5" being the most available.
Revolvers were offered by Ruger, Taurus, BFR, and I believe Freedom Arms.
I think the 480 Ruger is right at the edge of tolerable recoil for me. I can only shoot about 20 rounds at one sitting before I get the shakes. I would buy another one.... and I just did; a BFR in 475/480!
What is your experience shooting the true big bores?
Ammunition is fairly easy to obtain via online retailers but generally harder to find in gunshops. Relative to big bores, the Horandy 325 gr XTP's are a bargain. I think it will be around for a lot of years, but there is a rather small market niche for it as many buy the 454's (which has about 20% more recoil I'm told). If you buy, I would suggest you lay in at least a few hundred rounds fairly quickly and save your brass. You never know about future availability.