Most versatile revolver
- Thread starter AL45
- Start date
Cheapshooter
New member
If you roll your own, 454/45 Colt, 460/454/45Colt, or 44 Magnum/44Spcl
If you only buy your ammo 357/38 Spcl.
Versatility also includes ammo cost.
If you only buy your ammo 357/38 Spcl.
Versatility also includes ammo cost.
Looks like .357/.38 is the majority pick. And perhaps for good reason. I would, however, rather face a grizzly with a .454 than a .357, though the end result in me becoming bear food might be the same either way. I can load the light .45 Colt loads to shoot tin cans and experience similar recoil to the .38, and no, a Super Redhawk in .454 is not compact, but a Ruger Alaskan is reasonably compact considering the caliber, though certainly not an ideal ccw gun.. You are correct in that you would definitely want to reload if you chose to own such a gun.
bedbugbilly
New member
I vote for the 357 as well . . . .
I'm not anywhere that there a ten foot Grizzlies and I'm afraid that if I were looking for "versatility", the 454 might be a little bit too much for gophers . . .
But, now if there were some ten foot gophers, that might be another story!
I'm not anywhere that there a ten foot Grizzlies and I'm afraid that if I were looking for "versatility", the 454 might be a little bit too much for gophers . . .
But, now if there were some ten foot gophers, that might be another story!
If you plan to cover all the bases mentioned in your post with a single revolver, a 3" or 4" S&W 629 would be at the top of my list.
A Super RedHawk 454 has some serious down sides. Barrel Lengths 2.5" is way short for accuracy. It is made for Bear Get Off Me use. In a 7-1/2" it is very large, and heavy.
You need to prioritize your needs, and purchase atleast 3 Revolvers to meet your needs.
You need a 22 for Plinking, and practice. Cheap to shoot all you want. And just plan fun to shoot. Semi Auto or Revolver
Next would be a 357 Magnum. You can practice with 38 Special's and Carry 357 Magnum for 2 legged vermin. GP100 and 686 come in barrel lengths of 2-1/2", 3" and 4" between them. A 65, 66, 19, 13, Security Six, etc will all work also.
For Bear Country 44 Magnum, 45 Colt in a Ruger, 454, or 480 Ruger. A short barrel to beat a bear off you. A long barrel to hunt with.
I hunt with my Big Boy. I have a Ruger Super RedHawk in 480 Ruger with 9" Barrel. The 480 Ruger is a Reloaders Revolver, but in my opinion as good as it gets for a big bore. All the power you will ever need, with tolerable recoil.
If you enjoy shooting, you need a battery of handguns, not just one. If you took Bear out of the requirements, and got a reloader you could live with a 357 Revolver. You can reload 38 Special for around 15 Cents a shot with lead bullets.
Bob
A Super RedHawk 454 has some serious down sides. Barrel Lengths 2.5" is way short for accuracy. It is made for Bear Get Off Me use. In a 7-1/2" it is very large, and heavy.
You need to prioritize your needs, and purchase atleast 3 Revolvers to meet your needs.
You need a 22 for Plinking, and practice. Cheap to shoot all you want. And just plan fun to shoot. Semi Auto or Revolver
Next would be a 357 Magnum. You can practice with 38 Special's and Carry 357 Magnum for 2 legged vermin. GP100 and 686 come in barrel lengths of 2-1/2", 3" and 4" between them. A 65, 66, 19, 13, Security Six, etc will all work also.
For Bear Country 44 Magnum, 45 Colt in a Ruger, 454, or 480 Ruger. A short barrel to beat a bear off you. A long barrel to hunt with.
I hunt with my Big Boy. I have a Ruger Super RedHawk in 480 Ruger with 9" Barrel. The 480 Ruger is a Reloaders Revolver, but in my opinion as good as it gets for a big bore. All the power you will ever need, with tolerable recoil.
If you enjoy shooting, you need a battery of handguns, not just one. If you took Bear out of the requirements, and got a reloader you could live with a 357 Revolver. You can reload 38 Special for around 15 Cents a shot with lead bullets.
Bob
Poindexter
New member
For the lower 48 I would go with a 4" .357.
There was a suprisingly large black bear taken on Michigan's UP within the last ten years, the last really big grizzly taken out of the Rockies was a long time ago. At least that got measured for the books.
Point blank against mountain lion and gator I would be OK with .357 I think. Same for angry mama moose and two legged social work. I suspect .45Colt loads up to 20k psi could do all the same things in a "slightly" bigger package with "slightly" less recoil.
There was a suprisingly large black bear taken on Michigan's UP within the last ten years, the last really big grizzly taken out of the Rockies was a long time ago. At least that got measured for the books.
Point blank against mountain lion and gator I would be OK with .357 I think. Same for angry mama moose and two legged social work. I suspect .45Colt loads up to 20k psi could do all the same things in a "slightly" bigger package with "slightly" less recoil.
Gray2Hairs
Inactive
I wanted a gun to stay safe from bears
I shot a number of big bore guns and really like the Ruger 480. 400 grain loads at 1000-1100 fps are not as punishing on these old wrists as my 44 mag with standard loads and will take down most any critter. I just read an article about a buffalo hunt with a 475 Linebaugh loaded with a 370 grain hollow point at 1173 FPS (480 Ruger performance). The bullet went through the buffalo and it dropped after a few seconds. Ammo has been available for $21-$29 for 20 rounds and it is an easy reload round. (Just bought 180 rounds at Big-R last week for $20.95 a box for Hornady 325 grain).
I found that I was more accurate with my super Redhawk than with any other of the big bores and I was more comfortable. If you get lucky enough to be able to shoot the S&W 460, 500, Linebaugh 475/500, heavy loads in 45 Long Colt, 44 mag it might be useful. Every person seems to have a favorite for so many reasons.
The 480 is my favorite is because it doesn't make me flinch, is accurate and can stop a bear or buffalo. Yours is likely to be different and be right for you.
For me as long as the gun goes boom when I pull the trigger and hits what I'm aiming at I am happy.
I shot a number of big bore guns and really like the Ruger 480. 400 grain loads at 1000-1100 fps are not as punishing on these old wrists as my 44 mag with standard loads and will take down most any critter. I just read an article about a buffalo hunt with a 475 Linebaugh loaded with a 370 grain hollow point at 1173 FPS (480 Ruger performance). The bullet went through the buffalo and it dropped after a few seconds. Ammo has been available for $21-$29 for 20 rounds and it is an easy reload round. (Just bought 180 rounds at Big-R last week for $20.95 a box for Hornady 325 grain).
I found that I was more accurate with my super Redhawk than with any other of the big bores and I was more comfortable. If you get lucky enough to be able to shoot the S&W 460, 500, Linebaugh 475/500, heavy loads in 45 Long Colt, 44 mag it might be useful. Every person seems to have a favorite for so many reasons.
The 480 is my favorite is because it doesn't make me flinch, is accurate and can stop a bear or buffalo. Yours is likely to be different and be right for you.
For me as long as the gun goes boom when I pull the trigger and hits what I'm aiming at I am happy.
L_Killkenny
New member
OP's idea of versatile and your idea are obviously different. Not surprising, we all have different ideas and needs. He's lookin at range toy and protection from big and small. Me? I look more towards plinkin and field duty with a very low emphasis on protection. I find his idea of a .454 over the top, he may consider my .357 vastly under powered. There have been all sorts of recommendations from .22's to the OP's .454 and none of them are wrong.
Personally I find versatility over-rated. Rarely am I in a situation that requires me to have a gun that is acceptable at all things let alone good at em. When I am after different things I simply carry a couple guns, primary is long gun, secondary is a short gun. Either that or I size (power-wise) my gun for my primary intent and deal with it's short comings for things that I "may" need it for. If I'm after small game I carry a .22lr or .32M and if I run into things that go bump in the woods I'll cross that bridge when I get to it. If I'm after deer I take my .357 and try not to ruin too much meat if I shoot a smaller critter for the pot.
But back to the gist of the OP's post......... For my area it's just dang hard to beat a 4" DA .357 or .44Sp.
Gray2Hairs
Inactive
Not sure where to post this question...
Has anyone shot .480 round lead ball in a 480 Ruger? I am considering using the 167 grain round ball over Trail Boss powder for a plinking load.
I would think swaging the ball to .476-.477 might be required but not sure.
If this is not the right place for this question could you point me in the right direction?
Has anyone shot .480 round lead ball in a 480 Ruger? I am considering using the 167 grain round ball over Trail Boss powder for a plinking load.
I would think swaging the ball to .476-.477 might be required but not sure.
If this is not the right place for this question could you point me in the right direction?
wooly booger
Moderator
I carry a 4 5/8"" Ruger Blackhawk .357 or a 4 5/8" Ruger Single Six .22lr 95% of time. I also carry bear spray when in the mountains north and west of Canyon Creek, MT all the way to Canada. I have experienced Griz up close and personal and agree with what MT Fish and Wildlife recommends. A revolver, no matter how big is not the best way to deal with a bear charge.
Not to rain on anyone's thinking they are a manly-man, but a bear can cover 100 yards in about 5 seconds. In thick timber they can cover the distance from pitcher's mound to home in about 2 seconds....draw and put a big bore bullet into a brain the size of a softball moving 35 mph. Not happening..I don't care how good you are.
Not to rain on anyone's thinking they are a manly-man, but a bear can cover 100 yards in about 5 seconds. In thick timber they can cover the distance from pitcher's mound to home in about 2 seconds....draw and put a big bore bullet into a brain the size of a softball moving 35 mph. Not happening..I don't care how good you are.
Rifleman1952
New member
It depends where one lives. In Ohio, a .357 magnum with a 5" inch barrel allows one to hunt for deer with it. You can plink with .38 wad-cutters or load with one of many personal defense loads for two legged predators. You can even get one with a 7 or 8 shot cylinder if you prefer.
If one lives in grizzly country however, a .454 casull with at least a 5 inch barrel is what I would carry.
If one lives in grizzly country however, a .454 casull with at least a 5 inch barrel is what I would carry.
wooly booger
Moderator
Extended plinking of cans with a .454 Casull will be very expensive not to mention hard on the ears and nervous system. New ammo costs about $1 per round. If you reload, maybe you can cut that in half but it will never be my idea of a plinking round.
The .45 Colt is sweet shooting but it is too expensive for me to contemplate extended plinking sessions with it on a regular basis.
My idea of versatility is based on living in the midwest where .357 magnum has proven to be effective against all threats and all wild game in the area. Occasional plinking with .38 special can be affordable for the average working person. So I would go with a four inch .357 magnum such as Ruger GP100 or the new four inch SP101. The Smith & Wesson 65, 66, 627 or 327 would also be top picks.
Perhaps a better concept is the idea of a versatile battery of two to three handguns and two to three long guns.
When I plink, I like to feel free to shoot 200 or 300 rounds without feeling much pain financially or physically. The .22 LR or .22 WMR are the only rounds that I really consider for serious plinking. The 9mm can also be a cost effective plinking round but not effective or legal as a deer hunting round. Every other caliber makes me think too hard about squeezing off two hundred rounds at cans and paper targets.
If I was spending much time in an area where I felt the need for protection from big, mean animals like moose, grizzly or mountain lions, then I would carry a 4" .44 magnum or .357 magnum concealed and a long gun such as a 12 gauge shotgun or .45-70 lever action rifle. If you really feel threatened, go for the long gun first. The self defense hand gun is a weapon of last resort whether .454 Casull or .22 LR.
The .45 Colt is sweet shooting but it is too expensive for me to contemplate extended plinking sessions with it on a regular basis.
My idea of versatility is based on living in the midwest where .357 magnum has proven to be effective against all threats and all wild game in the area. Occasional plinking with .38 special can be affordable for the average working person. So I would go with a four inch .357 magnum such as Ruger GP100 or the new four inch SP101. The Smith & Wesson 65, 66, 627 or 327 would also be top picks.
Perhaps a better concept is the idea of a versatile battery of two to three handguns and two to three long guns.
When I plink, I like to feel free to shoot 200 or 300 rounds without feeling much pain financially or physically. The .22 LR or .22 WMR are the only rounds that I really consider for serious plinking. The 9mm can also be a cost effective plinking round but not effective or legal as a deer hunting round. Every other caliber makes me think too hard about squeezing off two hundred rounds at cans and paper targets.
If I was spending much time in an area where I felt the need for protection from big, mean animals like moose, grizzly or mountain lions, then I would carry a 4" .44 magnum or .357 magnum concealed and a long gun such as a 12 gauge shotgun or .45-70 lever action rifle. If you really feel threatened, go for the long gun first. The self defense hand gun is a weapon of last resort whether .454 Casull or .22 LR.
Yep...pretty versatile, that .454/.45 LC combination, but ammunition shortages might be an issue....454 is fairly rare around here, and recently, all .45 LC is just not on the shelves (for that matter, nothing else is either). But for back country store or big city gun shop availability, nothing will beat a .357...but a .44 Magnum is a very close 2nd. Rod
The proverbial "you're told you're going to be stuck on a large island, specifics unknown (but not Kodiak etc) for a year and allowed one gun". = 357-4 like the 686+. Everything from monkeys to Kraits to Komodos to a well placed close up shot on a water buffalo or even less likely point-blank tiger in a pinch. Same island scenario but you know it's going to be north of the 44th parallel or so - .44 Mag 629/Mountain Gun, maybe a 454 if specifically Alaska.
Dry land - similar set up but but maybe the 686 for desert Southwest, lower mountains and Great Basin, .44-4/629 for the Sierras/Cascades, southern Rockies, and a 454 for the northern ranges. Restricted to "civilization" and non-Rockies rural - .357 again.
Totally unknown circumstances --or you know it'll run the gammut with very likely rugged western rural to inner urban? - .44 Mag 629.Mountain Gun. Load it down or .44 Specials for urban "social work."
Dry land - similar set up but but maybe the 686 for desert Southwest, lower mountains and Great Basin, .44-4/629 for the Sierras/Cascades, southern Rockies, and a 454 for the northern ranges. Restricted to "civilization" and non-Rockies rural - .357 again.
Totally unknown circumstances --or you know it'll run the gammut with very likely rugged western rural to inner urban? - .44 Mag 629.Mountain Gun. Load it down or .44 Specials for urban "social work."
The .45 Colt is a reloader's cartridge ... Even the .454 is as well for economy. So if you don't reload, those calibers are out. .44Mag/44Spec is expensive if you don't reload but our more available on the shelf (well, not currently but usually!!!) . Now I reload, and I still don't like to expend 100s of rounds of .45 Colt on just cans in a session. That's where the o' reliable .22 comes in. Expending 200-500 rounds at a time is no biggie and good practice. Really you need (at least) TWO revolvers. One for small game and plinking (camp/range/gopher gun) and other for defense and larger game (your range/hiking/fishing/camping/backup gun). If you are restricted to one gun either the .22 or .357 will work... but you are compromising either way. Of course it should be a Ruger Single Action 
Hah! (personal preference).
Oh for a 'general' purpose revolver the barrel length should be at least 4 5/8". Shorties (2"-3") are fine for close work and concealment, but not for target shooting or varminting in 'general'. My preference is 5 1/2" as a good compromise.
Hah! (personal preference). Oh for a 'general' purpose revolver the barrel length should be at least 4 5/8". Shorties (2"-3") are fine for close work and concealment, but not for target shooting or varminting in 'general'. My preference is 5 1/2" as a good compromise.
Last edited: