A couple of points to consider, particularly about the size and weight...
Back in 78 (the first book I picked up with the info in it) the weight of a S&W Model 29 (6.5") is 47 ounces. The weight of a Ruger Super Blackhawk (7.5") is 48 ounces.
These guns were, once upon a time, considered big heavy handguns. And, they are. But the .454 and .460 take things to another level.
60.9 ounces for a FOUR INCH revolver? That is heavy. Although I don't know why anyone would deliberately choose such a powerful cartridge, and then chop it off at the knees, so to speak.
The monster magnums, the hand cannons are big and heavy, and intended to replace a carbine. In that, they succeed rather well. As a handgun, worn like the smaller, more traditional handguns, (as backup to a rifle) they don't do as well, being overly large and overly heavy, even with shorter barrels.
We have come a long way in my lifetime, from the .44 Magnum being the king of revolvers, powerwise, to it being the bottom level of the really big stuff today. It amuses me to see someone referring to the .454 Casull as "medium power".
A five pounds plus revolver (the big Smith, long barrel & scope) even too big to be worn on the hip is still a lighter handier (shorter) package than a 7lb carbine. And with a decent holster, you still have both hands free when moving around (climbing etc.,) unlike a rifle that has to be held all the time. (yes, I know all about slings, and a slung rifle is still a more awkward object than a large handgun in a good holster set up.
And, the monster magnum .454, .460, etc., can actually out perform, ballistically, some common carbine (rifle) rounds.
So being as there is no free lunch, what is most important for your use? A hand cannon small enough to still be "packable"? RECOIL!!!!
A hand cannon as the primary arm, replacing the hunting rifle? That's a different situation. Bigger, heavier, taming the recoil some, but not quite as light a burden to carry.
And just for comparison, a Desert Eagle .44 Magnum (6") weighs 4.25lbs empty. That's 68 ounces, if I figure it right, and then add 9 rnds of .44Mag ammo, and you're up there around 5lbs, or close enough not to matter much...
Back in 78 (the first book I picked up with the info in it) the weight of a S&W Model 29 (6.5") is 47 ounces. The weight of a Ruger Super Blackhawk (7.5") is 48 ounces.
These guns were, once upon a time, considered big heavy handguns. And, they are. But the .454 and .460 take things to another level.
60.9 ounces for a FOUR INCH revolver? That is heavy. Although I don't know why anyone would deliberately choose such a powerful cartridge, and then chop it off at the knees, so to speak.
The monster magnums, the hand cannons are big and heavy, and intended to replace a carbine. In that, they succeed rather well. As a handgun, worn like the smaller, more traditional handguns, (as backup to a rifle) they don't do as well, being overly large and overly heavy, even with shorter barrels.
We have come a long way in my lifetime, from the .44 Magnum being the king of revolvers, powerwise, to it being the bottom level of the really big stuff today. It amuses me to see someone referring to the .454 Casull as "medium power".
A five pounds plus revolver (the big Smith, long barrel & scope) even too big to be worn on the hip is still a lighter handier (shorter) package than a 7lb carbine. And with a decent holster, you still have both hands free when moving around (climbing etc.,) unlike a rifle that has to be held all the time. (yes, I know all about slings, and a slung rifle is still a more awkward object than a large handgun in a good holster set up.
And, the monster magnum .454, .460, etc., can actually out perform, ballistically, some common carbine (rifle) rounds.
So being as there is no free lunch, what is most important for your use? A hand cannon small enough to still be "packable"? RECOIL!!!!
A hand cannon as the primary arm, replacing the hunting rifle? That's a different situation. Bigger, heavier, taming the recoil some, but not quite as light a burden to carry.
And just for comparison, a Desert Eagle .44 Magnum (6") weighs 4.25lbs empty. That's 68 ounces, if I figure it right, and then add 9 rnds of .44Mag ammo, and you're up there around 5lbs, or close enough not to matter much...
