I've a few thoughts on this subject, and with modern firearm introductions changing the market- like the Smith 500 and 460, proprietary 475 Linebaugh, thought I'd air this out and see what other's think.
First, my own personal prejudices are that a handgun is never going to be a rifle. It should be carryable, and rely upon bullet weight and large diameter at relatively moderate velocities. This allows quick repeat shots.
Efforts to go beyond 'typical' handgun power levels always introduce tradeoffs, usually in weight and bulk of the arm, but in recoil and handability as well.
The 454 was the first widely available of the new breed, though the Action Express 50 is in there too. I never liked the extra pressure level of the Casul- a cheap fix in my opinion. A handloader could correct for this, load the round in the same SAMMI pressure specs as the traditional mags like the 44 and 41. The argument usually goes you can load up when you have to- like when you're extra paranoid about Bear.
The funny thing about 'Bear Loads" is everyone in the lower 48 has to have one- even if they live in Ohio. !!
As wrist slamming as the Casul is, foregoing the 'fast' followup shot, it at least does not give in to the second trade-off departure from the traditional, and that is weight. You can buy a Casul that weighs perfectly within the range that is carryable with comfort. That's important. If you don't have it with you 20 miles from the road in your campsite because it weighed too much to carry, all it's power does you no good. I never used to mind weight that much- I carried a Wesson Supermag for awhile, and that's as big as the Current Smith 500, but at age 48 with a couple mashed disks, I like the N frame and the Redhawk's as the outside limit today.
The Smith big frame weighs 72 OZ unloaded with the standard long barrel. The DE weighs, I believe, 70.2 oz. That's actually what motivated me to write this thread today- pondering the differences between the two.
The Smith is big and powerful. Despite it's muzzle brake, it is not described by many as easily shootable. I'd say by no one-but there are bound to be people in denial who claim they love the smack of metal against the bridge of the forefinger and thumb, and I won't argue with that. I'll just say by any fair appraisel of MOST shooters it is not an arm to pleasently shoot full power loads from all day long.
How fast one could get this arm into battery, or how much slower than an N frame Smith, is a question.
The DE 50 is far less powerfull, not even loaded to the same pressure as revolver specs. But it does pack a wallop significantly above the 44, and does it with an ability to shoot fast. It is not that bad; I've shot them and they feel about like a 44 in a revolver of traditional weight. But it is heavy and bulky; so we see in this the trade off is size only.
What do you Ladies and Gentlemen think about this?
For pure fun, I think the DE would be the Cat's pajama's, but at 1000 plus bucks I'm out of the ball game. I'll probably save for the 480 Ruger. I know that's panzy class to many of you here. But it does what the traditional wilderness gun is supposed to do and does it better than any of the 41's, 44's, and 45 Colt's. LArge diameter, heavy projectlie at around 1350 fps. You can shoot it fast enough, and it's lighter than the comparable 44 Super Redhawk. If you've not fired a 480 Ruger you're missing something- it feels 'right'. It has the same balance as a hot 45 Colt or 41. It just has the feel.
I doubt the Casul or 500 have that feel, (and I've only fired the Casul) but for the most sincere caution about bear attack, these mega power rounds offer what typical handguns cannot- rifle power. The 500 and 460 are about like the 45/70. That's something, I just don't want to carry it. I rather think a short carbine would be a better choice at that point.
I think the first maker to put out a gas operated 460 and 500 carbine is going to make millions.
Thanks for listening. I hope Someone could explain what is 'most best' in this field. It sure has changed in 20 years, hasn't it?
Edit: All of the new weapons are fine hunters. I've been looking at this from my usual- what do I do if attacked? perspective. A guy who wants to carry the big Smith for hunting and defense gets no static from me.
munk
First, my own personal prejudices are that a handgun is never going to be a rifle. It should be carryable, and rely upon bullet weight and large diameter at relatively moderate velocities. This allows quick repeat shots.
Efforts to go beyond 'typical' handgun power levels always introduce tradeoffs, usually in weight and bulk of the arm, but in recoil and handability as well.
The 454 was the first widely available of the new breed, though the Action Express 50 is in there too. I never liked the extra pressure level of the Casul- a cheap fix in my opinion. A handloader could correct for this, load the round in the same SAMMI pressure specs as the traditional mags like the 44 and 41. The argument usually goes you can load up when you have to- like when you're extra paranoid about Bear.
The funny thing about 'Bear Loads" is everyone in the lower 48 has to have one- even if they live in Ohio. !!
As wrist slamming as the Casul is, foregoing the 'fast' followup shot, it at least does not give in to the second trade-off departure from the traditional, and that is weight. You can buy a Casul that weighs perfectly within the range that is carryable with comfort. That's important. If you don't have it with you 20 miles from the road in your campsite because it weighed too much to carry, all it's power does you no good. I never used to mind weight that much- I carried a Wesson Supermag for awhile, and that's as big as the Current Smith 500, but at age 48 with a couple mashed disks, I like the N frame and the Redhawk's as the outside limit today.
The Smith big frame weighs 72 OZ unloaded with the standard long barrel. The DE weighs, I believe, 70.2 oz. That's actually what motivated me to write this thread today- pondering the differences between the two.
The Smith is big and powerful. Despite it's muzzle brake, it is not described by many as easily shootable. I'd say by no one-but there are bound to be people in denial who claim they love the smack of metal against the bridge of the forefinger and thumb, and I won't argue with that. I'll just say by any fair appraisel of MOST shooters it is not an arm to pleasently shoot full power loads from all day long.
How fast one could get this arm into battery, or how much slower than an N frame Smith, is a question.
The DE 50 is far less powerfull, not even loaded to the same pressure as revolver specs. But it does pack a wallop significantly above the 44, and does it with an ability to shoot fast. It is not that bad; I've shot them and they feel about like a 44 in a revolver of traditional weight. But it is heavy and bulky; so we see in this the trade off is size only.
What do you Ladies and Gentlemen think about this?
For pure fun, I think the DE would be the Cat's pajama's, but at 1000 plus bucks I'm out of the ball game. I'll probably save for the 480 Ruger. I know that's panzy class to many of you here. But it does what the traditional wilderness gun is supposed to do and does it better than any of the 41's, 44's, and 45 Colt's. LArge diameter, heavy projectlie at around 1350 fps. You can shoot it fast enough, and it's lighter than the comparable 44 Super Redhawk. If you've not fired a 480 Ruger you're missing something- it feels 'right'. It has the same balance as a hot 45 Colt or 41. It just has the feel.
I doubt the Casul or 500 have that feel, (and I've only fired the Casul) but for the most sincere caution about bear attack, these mega power rounds offer what typical handguns cannot- rifle power. The 500 and 460 are about like the 45/70. That's something, I just don't want to carry it. I rather think a short carbine would be a better choice at that point.
I think the first maker to put out a gas operated 460 and 500 carbine is going to make millions.
Thanks for listening. I hope Someone could explain what is 'most best' in this field. It sure has changed in 20 years, hasn't it?
Edit: All of the new weapons are fine hunters. I've been looking at this from my usual- what do I do if attacked? perspective. A guy who wants to carry the big Smith for hunting and defense gets no static from me.
munk
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I guess little boys never grow up, huh?
" mode, that's what I'm going to do. I don't have to kill the critter, just convince it that these aren't the droids it's looking for and to move along. 
