44 mag, 454 casull, or?

H

HALLAUSTIN

New member
Not power, or cost, but recoil. How much worse is the recoil? 44mag (240gr at 1200fps) is tolerable to me in a six inch model 29. Would 454 be awful or is it not that big of a step? Also what are some other fun calibers starting with 4? I'm looking to get one last toy... Well for a while. So calibers will be appreciated.
 
Never shot a .454 but Ive shot a .460...talk about hand cannon. Wonder what clint eastwood thinks bout that bad boy! I honestly prefer my .44 super redhawk over them all. If you want more ooomph, you could always step up to a larger bullet suck as a 300gr.
 
In an X-Frame, felt recoil from the .460 is less than the .454 in the most popular firearms. This is because the added weight of the X-Frame helps to tame recoil. Comped models recoil even less. The recoil from .454 in smaller framed and lighter guns can be brutal. Neither the .454 or the .460 is for everyone. If you have your doubts, they ain't for you.
 
That isn't a bad plan... While I want a bigbore I don't want to be the guy posting the "selling because it's just too much" add in the classifieds.
 
44 isn't bad so I'm not having second thoughts. Just never shot anything bigger. But on the other side of the coin, I don't want to be stuck with something unenjoyable or selling it because I can't handle it.
 
Last edited:
you could try a .480 ruger is making them again in super redhawk and redhawk alaskan..i have one and i like it alot...
 
Do you reload or have deep pockets? The reason most folks seldom shoot their really big bores is the prohibitive cost of the ammo. If you are just looking for a range toy, buy another .44 or a .357. If you are looking for a primary large game hunting revolver or protection from dangerous game then you MAY want to consider something bigger. JMTCs.
 
The Casull has much more recoil than the 44Mag providing it is fired by a similar gun. The 500S&W has much more recoil than the Casull. IMHO

I have fired and mastered all the big magnums up to the 500S&W. There are many who gave up their 44s because they kicked to hard. If you can handle the 44, and want more power, get a Casull. If you are with doubt, I suggest you try before you buy.
 
I have SRH in both 44 mag and 454. Same length barrels. 454 is between 25 and 50 percent more recoil than 44 mag. I found it to be fun for 20 rounds, after that it is tolerable for a few more. If you find that 454 is too much you can load down a little or shoot factory 45 Colt. It has less than 44 mag recoil. And you can shot the hot 45 Ruger only loads.

If you want an in between cartridge look at the 480 Ruger. Half way between 44 and 454 in recoil.
 
I do not reload yet but I am getting a set up soon. Unless something escapes the zoo then I am not likely to see any big animals. Just want to shoot a big bore and get very good with it.
 
My personal recommendation is that you find a BFR in 475 Linebaugh/480 Ruger. Max Prasac (book > Big-Bore Revolvers) says pain starts at the 454 Casull. Unless you like pain, I would go with something like the BFR and shoot 480 Ruger out of it and then give the 475 Linebaugh loads a try after you are comfortable. The 480 Ruger is still potent; real potent.
 
HALL said:
I do not reload yet but I am getting a set up soon. Unless something escapes the zoo then I am not likely to see any big animals. Just want to shoot a big bore and get very good with it.
Click to expand...

You mentioned "one last toy.....for a while at least". Why not make that toy your reloading set up? You can get something like a Lee Classic Turret and everything you need and then some for the price of a 454 revolver. Reloading is great fun and you can really take advantage if the 44 you got
 
HALL said:
Not power, or cost, but recoil. How much worse is the recoil? 44mag (240gr at 1200fps) is tolerable to me in a six inch model 29. Would 454 be awful or is it not that big of a step? Also what are some other fun calibers starting with 4? I'm looking to get one last toy... Well for a while. So calibers will be appreciated.
Click to expand...
I faced a similar delemma last year. I wanted, or so I thought; a 44 Magnum for a trail/woods gun. The large frame guns were very heavy; too heavy I felt for a hip holster. I looked at a Taurus® Mdl 44C TRACKER™ & really liked it as it was only 34oz. The gun is ported & has an expansion chamber to reduce recoil. That's a fine feature, if you realize, you end it with for all intents and purposes; a 3" barrel 44 Mag! Bottom line = Mucho Recoil:mad:

What finally worked for me was a Taurus® TRACKER™ in 41 Magnum. It's comfortable to carry, ported w/o an expansion chamber, & LOW RECOIL. It has very ample power and I love it.
 
Last edited:
I've always wanted to shoot one of the 41 mag trackers. I read a review of the lightweight versions and it pretty much suggested light loads. But for woods carry, I'd go with the more powerful loads regardless of recoil.

Stories as mentioned in the other 454 thread of folks being able to shoot a 460 X-frame with little experience attracts me to them. Think what you could do with a lot of practice? The caliber versatility of the 460 X-frame has little appeal to me. But it would certainly be a way to break into 454 C and the 460 at the same time in a frame size that I know make them shootable.

But for me, the logical step into the no-man's land of big big bores was the 480 Ruger. I had zero experience at power levels above 44 mag. I had read so much about the recoil of the 454 C that I simply didn't want to even try one out. For me, trying one out usually means buying one.
 
the question of recoil with the 44 mags, 454's, 460's, 480's and 500 mags is not how painful the recoil is or how loud the blast or how big the flinch but how fast you can get back on target for additional shots. i have fired all these calibers and i am happy to stick with my 44 mags for this reason.
 
Getting back on target quickly is only very important with encounters with dangerous animals. But it all depends on why you are carrying a big bore.

I think shooting them is mostly about a challenge and fun. If it's not fun, then you need to re-assess your "need". If your wrist or hands hurt after shooting a couple cylinder fulls, then you need to assess your need or technique.

I can carry a 40oz revolver on my belt, but I prefer some sort of shoulder rig.

Max Prasac says that you should probably limit your shooting to abut 20 rounds and then do it again the next day (as I recall). Your body takes a pounding and sometimes you don't even realize it until later.

Been re-assessing my holster inventory of late. I understand the concept of a range gun, but if you ever believe you might carry it, you need a holster. Yeah, I have quite a few just gathering dust. But they are there if I need to carry the gun. Otherwise they get left at home.
 
The .454 Casull recoil is more than that from a .44 Mag. from a revolver with similar weight. But .44 Mag from an ultralight is painful.
I use the Ruger Super Redhawk in .454 Casull for match. After 30-40 rounds it starts to be uncomfortable.
 
My personal limit...would be a 475 Linebaugh, in a Freedom Arms Single Action pistol; though the pistol costs well over $2,000. The SA's tend to roll the recoil upwards in you hand --- while the double actions --- tend to push the recoil straight back into your hand; while also pushing upwards.

I have a DA, 454 Casull/45 Colt, Ruger Super Redhawk pistol, with a 7 inch barrel. For the big bore loads...you'll definitly need a padded shooting glove, for your firing hand. It is a wonderful sound...hearing my 454 report, {amplified shooting muffs with earplugs} echoing along the hills above our shooting range. I limit my 454 shooting sessions too a 20 round limit. Magtech seems to sell the cheapest full power 454 factory loads.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top