new guy with ???? on Ruger Alaskan 45/454

3

3dogs

New member
Hello
I'm new to the site & handguns in general, I live in "the great land" and
chose the new Ruger to carry while fishing and as a backup to my rifle while
hunting. With its short barrel what bullet weight @ what speed do I need to serve my needs?
Don't want to go full bore 454! but need enough horsepower to do the job.
Thank in advance for sharing your knowledge
3dogs
 
I usually use 240 grainers for Black Bass. For salmon you might want to try 300.

Other than that, I don't really know what your needs are. Care to elaborate?
 
I've heard that those salmons are really tough to land. Maybe those heavy hitting 340 grainers might be better. :D
Seriously though you are going to lose a lot of energy and velocity with that snubby. Big bore magnum loads are tailored to be most effective in the longer barrels. They use large amounts of slow burning powder that need a long (6" or more) barrel for a complete burn. Handloading will be the best bet for the snubby big bore magnums. Factory loads will produce a lot of flash and bang out of a short barrel revolver.
 
do you have chrono data to back that up. My .500 linebaugh is a 4 inch gun and with full loads the velocity is only about 150fps less then my 5.5 inch gun. My alaskan is remarkably controlable even with full loads. I havent got a chance to chrono any but id bet the gun that i can push 300 grain bullets as fast as a 44 mag will push then in any barrel lenght. Theres alot more then barrel lenght that controls velocity. A short barrel with a good tight cyl gap and a good barrel will clock faster then a 7.5 in gun with a big gap and a rougher barrel. Bottom line is any gun that will shoot a 300 grain hardcast at 1200 fps will take any game in north america and the alaskan will easily do that.
 
Lloyd,

All things equal short barrels will usually have a significant loss in fps and thusly lb/sq in.

Significant is subjective (obviously). I think 5% or more (either fps or lb/sq) is significant. Fast burning powder is the snubby reloader's friend.

That certainly need not bother you. A 500 of any name or barrel length produced by current manufactures will do it's job.
 
I'm sure you can load a 454 that can do 1200 fps with 300 grain bullets, but it will still bark. josh
 
Gunblast has an article on the alaskan with chrono data, the shorter barrel loses some velocity but it does not turn the 454 casull loads into 45colt+p loads. As a matter of fact most folks figured it would lose more velocity than it does.

As far as carry, I like to carry what I practice with so I think buying some different loads and seeing how well you do with different stuff will be what determines your choice.
 
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