Which BIG bore revolver to get??

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Riflman

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Thinking .480 Ruger, .454 Cassull, .44 Magnum and even .500 S&W, but not sure which one or which handgun to get it in. Not even sonvinced on revolver yet, but about 90% sure I want to go that way. The only revolver I own is a 686. The rest are all pistols.

I originally wanted a Ruger Alaskan SRH in the snubby .480 but we can't get it. I thought about buying a long barrel version and having it cut down to barely legal. The other day I shot a Ruger Blackhawk in .45 LC and it was totally manageable, even enjoyable to shoot. I have since done some research and the magnum maniac in me wants the something truly different and over the top. A la the .500. This might be used for rare hunting ops south of the border and will likely wear a scope eventually if that makes any difference.

I am lost in big bore hand gun land now. Somebody please help me!! :confused: :confused: :confused:
 
I know of a few members who have Smith and Wesson 500 and the 480. The craftmanship on these pistol is beautiful! Hope you are into reloading, otherwise ammo is pretty $$. The 44magnum is a classic... and ammo is a whole easier to find.

For me, the perfect big bore handgun would be a 5" S&W29 in 44mag. It just feels right... Enough power to do most job, doesn't weight as much as a rifle.

Mike.
 
I'd say go with .44mag... I did :)

.500s&w, .480 and .454 are a bit expensive, .44mag is cheaper but still a hand cannon, plus you can also shot .44spl in it.

Since we can’t hunt with a handgun I personally don’t see the need for anything bigger than a hot .44mag..
 
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depends on what you want to do with it- the argument can be made for the 454 which can shoot 45 colt as well but real casull ammo costs a lot more for 20 than 20 of 44 mag something like 30 plus bucks- the other 2 are almost propietory bores - ammo and components might be hard to come by- if money appears to be no object , consider the .460 smith as well- 45colt, 454 casull and 460 all in 1 gun- however this thing is big and heavy - a better balance is the 44mag for size and ammo availability
 
I am a handloader, and would definitely load for it 98% of the time. There may be the occassional time where I will travel with it, and may need to get ammo. I went to Alaska last Spetmeber for Moose and Sheep, and if I had a handgun in a big bore, I would have taken it if legal. I am getting my concealed carry for 30 states also, so that might make it easier to carry something while hunting as a back up. It would also be fun to go across the border and kill some coyotes and prairie dogs, etc. with a handgun. Maybe even an antelope or mule deer in Montana. If for some reason I lose my ammo, availability might become an issue, but I doubt it will ever be much of a problem. So, let's stick to cool factor, shootability and accuracy. Power is also a big deal but I figure they are all pretty good in that department. :)
 
I think I would opt for the 454 Casull or the 460 S&W. Component cost is lower for the 454 than any of the other big stuff(480 Ruger,475 Linebaugh, 50AE, 500 S&W, etc.) and 45 bullets of all types are much more plentiful. Freedom arms make the best SA available, and it's hard to beat the S&W DA revolvers for feel. I haven't had the chance to fondle a Smith X-frame, so I'm just basing this on experience with K,L and N frames. I should note that I don't think of the 44 Magnum as big handgun calibre anymore.

Pat
 
A caliber mention but not in sola is the .45Colt. With a Balkhawk you can load that cartridge to levels the approach the .44 mag. I have the Beretta Stampeder and with my own cast 260 gr boolits with a very wide meplat is going to be as effective as any big bore handgun can be and has the option of loading down to Cowby levels with 200 gr LSWC for plinking.

Next gun will be a 5 1/2 inch Blackhawwk for carry in the bush - I have the permit.

Take Care
 
I have a pretty big case of Hornady 45 caliber XTP bullets they sent me for a Muzzle Loader hunt to Africa in 2004. I guess they could be loaded for handgun too. Never thought of that. I could never shoot all those in a muzzle loader in a lifetime of hunting with one, but I sure could blow through them with a handgun. Never thought of that. They .454 is looking good, plus is the most powerful aside from the .500. Don't know much about the .50 AE. What is that?? Going to have to google it.
 
Go for the 500 S&W, a 44 Mag now is like what a 38 Special used to be 30 years ago and really can you have too much power? I shoot a 3" S&W 629 44 Mag loaded with 310 gr gas checked cast bullets and it doesn't seem that bad any more, I guess you get used to it. Actually 180 grain bullets loaded to maximum seem worse than the 310's because of the muzzle blast.
 
+8 (or whatever) on the Casull, although the 460 and 480 are very interesting.

If you are ever bored, check the ballistics of the 460....
 
Riflman said:
So, let's stick to cool factor, shootability and accuracy. Power is also a big deal but I figure they are all pretty good in that department. :)
Click to expand...

OK:D

What do you prefer... a rifle like pistol
170280_tripod.jpg


Or a mean looking pistol
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Mike.
 
since we're talking guns now...get a Raging Bull
Click to expand...

The problem with Taurus guns is that there is zero parts or service available should something go wrong with it, also you get what you pay for, buy a Smith and Wesson. The thought of a Raging Bull in 500 S&W just scares me after all the reviews I read about the 454 Casull Raging Bull when it came out, almost every review said the timing was off with the revolver tested.
 
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