480 Ruger

It's all about cylinder size. With six holes, the .480 doesn't have a huge amount of steel in between holes. Even higher pressure probably isn't a good idea. And the longer cartridge of the .475 would be problematic as well. If they were going that direction, they would probably have to come out with a longer cylinder version. A Ruger X frame.

They did make the decision before to make the .480 SRH a five shooter... then they only made about 50 of them (all Alaskans) and quit. When I heard they were going to make .480's again, I assumed they would be five shot. I was wrong!

Gregg
 
460 with a 8-3/8 barrel shoots a 2-3' flame out the end. I would guess that a 2" version would be good to weld with.
 
They did make the decision before to make the .480 SRH a five shooter... then they only made about 50 of them (all Alaskans) and quit. When I heard they were going to make .480's again, I assumed they would be five shot. I was wrong!
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Just guessing.... 50 is probably their minimum production run and they probably looked at their added costs (5 hole versus 6 hole) and decided it was not worth their while (not to mention sales from the 454 version reducing the buyer pool). They may also have determined that the "issues" were still present in the 5-hole versus 6-hole. Never had any significant issues with my 6-shooter.

I was pleased to see that they are reportedly going to produce the Alaskan in 480 Ruger again. I intend to get one when I start seeing them hit the stores. May even break down and do the online thing which I resist doing.
 
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Actually I think they only made a couple dozen of the five-shot .480's. They didn't just chamber the .475 because the cylinder would not be long enough. The .480 loaded with a 420-430gr LBT is right full.
 
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