what's the best raging bull?

[GunPhate]

I love the raging bulls expecially the .480 but I'm wondering what the best one is, as in quality and accuracy.
I don't know very much about guns and have never fired a handgun but they just look so darn cool (I know, looks arent everything)

 

[shooter429]

The best one is a Ruger

Especially if you want quality and accuracy, because you won't find either in a Taurus.

Funon1

 

[Seafarer12]

I say get a 22 first.

 

[ChristopherG]

No Raging Bull is a beginner's handgun. A much more reasonable starting place would be a .22 or, if you want something with a bit more clout (but also much more expensive to shoot enough to get any good with it), a 4" .357 magnum from either S&W or Ruger.

Taurus revolvers, as stated, do not enjoy a reputation for CONSISTENT, RELIABLE quality and accuracy.

 

[MMCSRET]

If you must have a "RAGING" get a "Raging Hornet", much easier to shoot!!!!!!!!!!

 

[GunPhate]

I'm not a beginner with guns in general, I have shot a .22 rifle, a 30.06 and a shotgun. I just love big guns. But thanks, I didn't know taurus' weren't that great. that was actually gonna be the first gun I was gonna buy.
Heather

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

Especially if you want quality and accuracy, because you won't find either in a Taurus.

Ha, that's a laugh. Turn that around 180 degrees and it'll be much closer to correct.

Outstanding accuracy from Tauri revolvers typically, and very good quality, on a par with Ruger and superior to (new) Smith & Wessons, in my experience. They're all gonna be good - take your pick of caliber - 44 mag, .454 casull, or .480 ruger. I really wish they made a 6" and 8.375" one in .44 mag withOUT the porting.

 

[shooter429]

Turn that around and ..better than Smith or Ruger?

You wanna share some of what you been smoking? It appears to alter your perception of reality quite drastically. Comparing Taurus to Smith and Ruger That is like saying between Ferrari, and Hyundai-I think the Hyundai is a better performer And much better than the Porche Boxter S, much better in the corners. Yeah, rriiiight

Anyway, unless you have some of those little white rocks to puff on, get yourself an American made wheelgun from Smith or Ruger and you will be well served.

Shooter429

 

[MMCSRET]

Shooter429: How many Taurus revolvers have you owned and how hard have you used them?

 

[m38shooter]

Taurus is plenty accurate and reliable, especially if you're going into a caliber that big. If Taurus firearms were really as bad as people around here make them out to be, I'd have 2 fewer scars on my leg (tripped and tumbled with one in my hand).

I've looked at the Raging Bull line a few times, if I was going to get one it would probably be the .454 Casull or .223 model.

To be honest, I'd probably get a Ruger Super Redhawk if I wanted a big bore revolver. That's more because I'm a fairly intent Ruger fan than because Taurus products aren't up to snuff, though.

 

[Beagle-zebub]

You might want to consider starting out with a .22--it may seem demeaning, but the heart of the matter is that it is the best way to extensively practice good marksmanship. Just as you probably shot a .22 when you learned to shoot a rifle, you probably want to with a pistol as well--the skills a person builds up shooting rifles and shotguns don't transfer to shooting a pistol, so you're starting from scratch again now that you are trying to move towards pistol mastery.

 

[Quickdraw Limpsalot]

I'll agree with the others in that you might want to start out with a .22 handgun because they're just plain fun, but this:

Especially if you want quality and accuracy, because you won't find either in a Taurus.

... is just a ridiculous statement, and I'm a Ruger fan.

I've owned a Raging Bull .454 Casull for over 9 years now and it's been absolutely flawless. In fact, I just took my first handgun whitetail deer with it two days ago. I own several Rugers as well, but the Raging Bull series of Taurus revolvers are fine handguns, IME. Beefy, accurate and darn good looking to boot!

 

[Kind of Blued]

I've looked at the Raging Bull line a few times, if I was going to get one it would probably be the .454 Casull or .223 model.

WHAT?!?!?!

 

[MMCSRET]

The Taurus 454 never experienced the type of cylinder elasticity that seized fired cases in the chambers like Ruger SRH did. I overloaded slightly on a Taurus in order to see if it would do it. It out performed the Ruger every time, and the grip design on the Taurus was more comfortable for me.

 

[WoofersInc]

I have 3 of the Raging Bulls. Those that are saying they are garbage probably have not shot them. And before someone says something I also have 2 Ruger Super Redhawks also so I can compare them side by side. The Raging Bulls have been great guns and are extremely accurate, more so than I am.
As for which is the best, I would have to go with the 454 since you can also shoot the lighter 45 Colt loads in it giving you a much wider choice of loadings.

 

[lloveless]

Heather,
I have noticed that you're in British Columbia. I thought canadians couldn't own handguns?
lloveless

 

[Beagle-zebub]

The Taurus 454 never experienced the type of cylinder elasticity that seized fired cases in the chambers like Ruger SRH did.

My understanding was that the elastic nature of the cylinder and frame was intentional, allowing the SRH to handle six rounds of .454 Casull. To achieve this characteristic, this model was made with a different alloy than the .44 SRHs, which is why it has the different "target gray" appearance to it.

 

[greyling22]

Friend of mine, who has lots of guns, really like his .357 taurus. tracker? my 2 cents is that taurus makes great guns with a higher percentage of lemons. if you get a good one, it's great. if you get a bad one, it's very problematic. (much like my experience with american cars.)

A ruger or a smith is a safer bet, but maybe not a better one.

 

[GRIZ22]

I have 3 Taurus revolvers (the oldest bought in 1988) and have had zero problems with them.

Gunphate, I would suggest starting with a smaller caliber for several reasons. One round from that 480 may make you never want to shoot handguns again. The ammunition is very expensive; even if you reload bullets and brass cost significantly more than 44 mag or 357. Expensive ammo equals less shooting.

I'd suggest a 4" 357 for a starter centerfire handgun. You can start with wadcutters and work your way up to full magnums. Master a 357 and then maybe go for a 480.

 

[Gun 4 Fun]

Beagl-zebub,
The SuperRedhawk in .454/.480 is indeed made with a different steel than the .44 model. The .454 is made with a carpenter series stainless steel, the standard is made with 410 series. In John Taffin's book Big Bore Handguns, in the chapter on Ruger Super Redhawks, he says he called Ruger to ask what kind of finish they were putting on them and Ruger told him that it is simply the way the stainless looks after they tumble the parts before assembly. Alot of gun writers are claiming it's a finish that is applied to the outside of the steel. People read that stuff and repeat it, without bothering to find out for themselves.
The carpenter stainless is made in Ruger's own foundry, and is not designed to stretch, it's just the nature of that alloy. The steel is proofed at something like 120,000Pp.s.i. for the cylinders, so it will obviously hold the Casull.
I have owned Taurus revolvers and my only complaint was lead spitting, which .357's are more proned to do than other calibers anyway.
I see Heather is in B.C. I too thought handguns were illeagle in Canada. Since your government has become more conservative has this law been repealed?
I would say buy American but maybe that's not as important to you.

 

[shooter429]

I have a lot of ownership experience with Taurus products, including revos

If I didn't, I would not comment. Anybody who thinks Taurus quality and customer service is good is an anomoly, inexperienced, or both. There is just no explanation for the number of serious problems across a wide range of models resellers and customer service myself and my buddies have experienced, unless the products and service (or lack thereof) on whole are bad. I guess it is okay, if people are happy with driving a Yugo, but don't try to convince people your Yugo is a Corvette.

Shooter429

 

[GunPhate]

To: lloveless and GUN 4 FUN

Handguns are legal here, you have to get a restricted licence though. I don't know how it's done in the USA but here you have to get your FAC (which is called a PAL now i guess) also called a non-restricted licence then you have to go for another course to get your restricted. kinda sucks considering my PAL course was 12 hours long

How is it done there?

Heather

 

[Coyote3855]

GunPhate: Differs from state to state. In Wyoming, I can buy a handgun from a private individual with no paperwork at all. If buying from an in-state dealer, my concealed carry permit obviates the need for an "Instant Background Check." I fill out a form and leave the dealer with the gun in hand. If I want to buy a handgun from a dealer from another state, it has to be shipped to a Federal Firearms License holder in Wyoming and I go through the same paperwork/CC permit routine.

 

[shooter429]

Where I am-just south of B.C. there are few hoops

But if you want to carry what you buy without waiting, you need to apply for a permit to carry a concealed firearm. The process is you go into the police station (unarmed, of course) you fill out the required application, pay the fee (I think around $70 USD) and they fingerprint you. Then I think you are run through the WASCIC, they send your request and prints to the FBI, run you through NCIC, etc. If you don't have a criminal history in about 30 days, they send you your permits. Then you go to a retailer, fill out local and federal paperwork, pay your money and submit to an instant background check with local law-enforcement. If that comes back okay, you may pick up your handgun and you are good to go.

The whole process takes about a month. Then you have to periodically renew the permit.

You can purchse guns from private individuals by presenting cash. Most sellers, myself included, will require a permit, valid picture I.D. and will have a conversation with you asking if you are mental or a druggee. As long as they pass those requirements, they can buy from me. Different private sellers may be looser, it just depends.

Rifles and legal length shotguns require only ID and paperwork at the store.

Our state has tried to ban gunshows and private sales, but has not yet succeeded, thanks to opposition.

Shooter429

 

[Seafarer12]

I am still sticking with my .22 statement. Pistol shooting is totally different than rifle shooting.

As far as Taurus quality. They are okay guns and make good shooters but the fit and finish has never been that great in my book.