Big revolver

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spawndn72

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I want a BIG revolver. A "N" frame, "X" frame, redhawk, etc...
In .357 or .44 mag or .460 or .500 or whatever.
Purely a range gun.

With all that said, which big revolver with a big cartridge is the most comfortable to shoot. I know this is subjective, but I still want to hear your thoughts. I reload so I can load as mild or hot as I want.

My only experience with any of the above:

.357 Colt Trooper mark III with a 4" barrel - Not horrible, but was the "sharpest" kicking handgun I have ever shot

.44 mag Ruger Vaquero with a 7" barrel - Kicked very hard but was not as "Sharp" as the .357

.44mag Model 29 with a 6 1/2" barrel - Kicked very hard but was manageable. Probably the most comfortable one of the three listed.
 
If you really want big, go big. The X-Frame Smith's are no joke but they are very manageable with good shooting form.

I own a 460V (5" bbl) and shooting handloaded 240gr XTP Mags sitting on a healthy charge of h110 doing 1700fps through the chrono it is punchy yes, but only slightly more so than either of my 44mags, one of which is a 4" m29-2.



My brother owned a 500 with 8-3/8bbl for a time and I fired that quite a few times. The 500 is a stouter hit to the hand, but that is also throwing significantly heavier bullets, even on the lighter side for the 500. Still though, far from impossible to shoot with good shooting form.

I'm sure there are other "big" cartridges that are more pleasurable to shoot than the 460 or 500 Smith but I have no experience with anything other than those, 44 mag and 357 mags. Remember, the platform plays a big role is perceived recoil. The X-Frames are quite robust and that keeps recoil for those very powerful rounds manageable
 
I have them all. If you think the 44 Kicked then a 454 Casull or higher may not be what you’re after.

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The most versatile is the 460. You can do 460, 454 Casull, 45 Colt +P and 45 Colt. It is only a 5 rounder though.

If you want to enjoy them, go with at least a 6” Barrel.
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The 454 Casull by Ruger has a 6 round capacity. You can do 454, 45 Colt +P or 45 Colt.

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The 500 has the widest range of bullet weights from 270-700 grains. You can do 500 Special or Magnum.

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Ruger Blackhawk or Vaquero in 45 Colt. Or you could just use the Vaquero you have with 44 Special ammo or reloads that accomplish the same thing. And then there is the Super Blackhawk....
Purely a range gun.
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A 22 rimfire or 38 Special would be much better for this purpose. Unless, of course, part of the purpose is to be seen and heard.;)
 
Ruger Blackhawk or Vaquero in 45 Colt. Or you could just use the Vaquero you have with 44 Special ammo or reloads that accomplish the same thing. And then there is the Super Blackhawk....
Quote:
Purely a range gun.
A 22 rimfire or 38 Special would be much better for this purpose. Unless, of course, part of the purpose is to be seen and heard.
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I don't own any of the guns I listed. I have just shot them in the past.
I have a Single six in 22 and Taurus in 38 Special, so I have those covered.
I just want something big. Not really to impress anyone but me, my range is my backyard.
 
I think .460 is cool, I would love to own a T/C Encore pistol in .460, but I have other things I'd rather buy.

The S&W .460's are 5 shots, the Ruger .454's are 6 shots. If you are not a hunter or use handguns for hunting, there's no reason to get the S&W.
 
Model 57, .41 mag. A 4" is just so nice. Easy load from wild to mild, and your not just one of the crowd. I wouldn't recommend it to a non loader. But for a hand loader it's a very versatile round.
 
This is as big as it get's in revolvers for me right now. Ruger Redhawk .44 Magnum 4" barrel,& S&W 69 .44 Magnum 4.2 " barrel. I also have a CA Bulldog .44 Special 2.5"barrel.I have the Ruger GP 100 .357 Mag.4.2"barrel MC, Taurus 65 & 66 .357 Magnums 4".S&W 686-6 .357 Mag.4" barrel.
 
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Hey don't forget the .454 Casull.....
Do your research. If you like the .44mag,,,think almost double the power,,,, and the .460 is not that much more than the .454......

I can shoot my Taurus Raging Bull with one hand and not worry about recoil. (Ported barrel)
Ive hunted with one for over 4 years and have put a LOT of hogs on the ground. VERY accurate.

Its one of those guns Ill never get rid of.......
 
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I recommend the BFR in 454 Casull. I have one with a 5" barrel, but for a strictly range gun the 7½ would be a little heavier and recoil less. The rubber grips really soak up the recoil, and you can load 45 Colt brass from mouse fart to thunder boomers before you even go up to the longer Casull case. I shoot 340 grainers at 1200 fps, which are stout but controllable. And if you want to try a scope or red dot, they come with a rail for easy mounting.

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Along with a 454 Casull, I would also consider a 480 Ruger. Both are available in the Super Redhawk and Super Blackhawk. The 480 is less flexible as far as bullet/ammo choices, but being a handloader makes that a little less of an issue. Supposedly the 480 recoil isn't as sharp as full power Casull either. I have a Super Blackhawk in 454 Casull and am enjoying it. Most loads I shoot in it are 44Mag and a little higher. Full power loads are challenging to shoot well. The 460 has even more power, but shooting other 45 caliber rounds is an option as with the Casull. Full power 460 are somewhat punishing without a brake. I shot an Encore with no brake and it was more challenging than fun.
 
I'd say look at the Super Redhawk in .480.

Big bore.
Big revolver.
It's not so common, so there is a certain exclusivity.
I've also read only good things about it as a cartridge.

So go large, but do it with a bit of style and individuality! ;)
 
"Big gun" go with a Ruger Super Redhawk. Weight and grip help handle recoil very well. And, unlike the X-frame, you can actually carry it in a holster if you wish. +1 on the 480 Ruger, but you can get the SRH in 45 Colt or 454 Casull as well. Take your pick. I haven't tried the Casull, but of course you can load 45 Colt in it as well. I really like the 480. Doesn't hurt to shoot, and 410 cast at over 1,200 will put the hurt on. Hope you load your own or own stock in an ammo company.
 
I want a BIG revolver. A "N" frame, "X" frame, redhawk, etc...
In .357 or .44 mag or .460 or .500 or whatever.
Purely a range gun.
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You cover a lot of territory there. Sounds like you just want a new gun. While "big" is a relative term, there's a "big" difference between a .357 and a .500.

I reload so I can load as mild or hot as I want.
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That's good, but even if you reload, cartridges like .480, .454, .460 and .500 are still gonna cost ya a buck a pop or so, with the .45 calibers probably the cheapest.

As for comfort shooting at the range, caliber is also relative. A .454 in a Ruger frame is gonna be brutal, while a .460 in a long piped, comped X-Frame is a pussycat. A snub .357 will hurt your hand more than a .480 in Super Redhawk.

My suggestion would be for you, as fairly new to big bore revolvers, is to stick with a .44 mag or less.......for now.
 
Whatever you decide, let us all know what pawn shop it's in after you fire a couple cylinders full. Seriously, if you have to ask, think about cartridges on the low end of the spectrum and forget anything bigger than the 44 magnum.


That's good, but even if you reload, cartridges like .480, .454, .460 and .500 are still gonna cost ya a buck a pop or so, with the .45 calibers probably the cheapest.
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A dollar a shot! :eek: Where are you buying your bullets, Tiffany's?


A .454 in a Ruger frame is gonna be brutal
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The Super Redhawk is a pussycat.
 
Setting the machismo aside for a moment Ill say this, any of the modern "big" revolvers can be loaded anywhere from meek to downright painful. Period. Buy what you like. Enjoy. Repeat.
 
I'm gonna second black mamba on this one. If I just wanted a big revolver, a big freakin revolver, the BFR is a good choice and I have no doubts about Magnum Research's quality.

The BFR in .45-70 is one of a kind, there are no other revolvers like it. I'd get the longest barrel it's available in, the .45-70 needs it to pick up velocity.
 
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