What happened with the .480 Ruger?
- Thread starter Flyboy_451
- Start date
Bob Knizner
Inactive
I had a BFR in .475/.480 and loved it. I worked up a load that worked in that revolver that had better accuracy for me than any other I have ever used in any gun, it was like magic.
I sold the BFR and got a 10.5" S&W 500. I have not found as sweet a load for this revolver as that "magic" .475/.480 load, but I am still trying.
Bob
I sold the BFR and got a 10.5" S&W 500. I have not found as sweet a load for this revolver as that "magic" .475/.480 load, but I am still trying.
Bob
The OP submits that he has no first hand experience w/the reputed 'sticky' extraction (w/factory loads) issue and neither do I. Altho any of my DA feels stiffer ejecting 6 cases at a time vs onesies in a SA. In scanning thru the posts in this thread, I didn't see any others that were any different. There must have been a problem at sometime to get the story started (and of course there's the proverbial 3% Lemon Rate) . . . . but was it the 454 instead?
In looking on the inet re the Carpender Alloy, it indicated it was developed for Ruger as part of the research to determine feasibility of placing the 454 in production. IIRC (I used to know) the 480 was right on its heels in the production development and releases timetable and as such, we assume the 480 uses the same special steel in its cylinder also ~ I was unable to locate an authoritive source document to confirm it tho. The 454 operates at a much higher pressures that the 480 does and if the 480 had issues, the 454 must have more severe issues. My Rugers tend to have rougher chamber finishes than my SRHs in 454 & 480. In fact, I feel they are of better quality build in these calibers than the same models in 44mag ~ just my opinion/judgement YMMV flame all you want, I'll not argue.
In summary, I question if the 480 suffered a bad rap from 454 sticky extraction issues? Reading about these issues reported by others admittedly having read reports by others really, in themselves don't validate a problem and actual reports using handloads falls short of conclusive testing ~ again, just my opinion.
In looking on the inet re the Carpender Alloy, it indicated it was developed for Ruger as part of the research to determine feasibility of placing the 454 in production. IIRC (I used to know) the 480 was right on its heels in the production development and releases timetable and as such, we assume the 480 uses the same special steel in its cylinder also ~ I was unable to locate an authoritive source document to confirm it tho. The 454 operates at a much higher pressures that the 480 does and if the 480 had issues, the 454 must have more severe issues. My Rugers tend to have rougher chamber finishes than my SRHs in 454 & 480. In fact, I feel they are of better quality build in these calibers than the same models in 44mag ~ just my opinion/judgement YMMV flame all you want, I'll not argue.
In summary, I question if the 480 suffered a bad rap from 454 sticky extraction issues? Reading about these issues reported by others admittedly having read reports by others really, in themselves don't validate a problem and actual reports using handloads falls short of conclusive testing ~ again, just my opinion.
I got into this a little late, I have been down with the flu.
The first poster probably hit the nail on the head about three groups.
Those wanting a serious back up gun.
Those wanting the biggest and baddest to show off at the range.
Serious handgun hunters.
In the group 1 and 2 catagory we probably have the highest percentage of non reloaders. They are probably turned off with the cheapest ammo being around $1.50 a shot. Also by availability, which also leaves lots to be desired.
The group 3 crowd, the serious hunters like the 480 Ruger just fine. Hang out over on the Handgun Hunting Forum some, and you will locate lots of 480 shooters.
Back Up Gun Crowd:
A high percentage of the back up gun guys want an economical, reasonably light and compact big bore back up gun, and would have rather had a 5 shot Super BlackHawk in 480. Agreed Ruger dropped the ball on this one.
I have both a 7-1/2" as well as a 9-1/2" Super RedHawk in 480 Ruger. If I had the option of picking my barrel lengths I would go with a 5" or 5-1/2" for general use, and probably the 7-1/2" for hunting. Ruger would have been much better off offering a 5-1/2" version than the 9-1/2". If a 5-1/2" version had been made it would have been much more totable in a holster for field carry.
Handloading for the 480 you can go mild to wild. My general purpose load is a 400 grain Lee bullet over 8 grains of Uinque.
My snake load is 4 grains of Clays under about 175 grains of shot.
My deer load is normally the 400 grain Lee with a near maximum dose of AA#9, or H110.
This year I was playing with some True Shot Lazer Cast 355 Gas Checks when deer season came around. I tagged a large doe on my Antlerless ONLY Tag, and an 11 point buck on my Anydeer Tag.
Myself as a Handgun Hunter I like the Super RedHawk. If you have a set of new unused 1" rings, you can swap them with Ruger for a set of 30mm rings. This allows installation of a 30mm UltraDot sight. Or if you do not have a set to trade, you can buy the rings.
Next is grips, the Hogue Tamer grips really soak up recoil. The Tamers have the Smurf Blue insert of Sorbothane down the back. You can see the Blue Sorbothane strip if you take the grip off. They only come standard on the Alaskan. You will probably need to order a set.
Tune Up work: Wolfe and Wilson Combat both sell a spring kit for the Super RedHawk to improve the trigger pull.
Open Sights: Marble makes a super Fiber Optic front sight for the Super RedHawk Quick Change sight system.
To me the cost of ammunition is a non issue. I have never bought a factory round for the 480. I have around 500 rounds of brass on hand, which should last me the rest of my life. I have both Lee bullet mould, the 325 gas check, and the 400 grain. Note the 325 is a hair short, and does not seem to shoot real well. Lee needs to redesign it into about a 355 grain with a little more length that will shoot better.
For my needs I really like the 480 Ruger cartridge. It is easy to load, and versatile.
I also like the Super RedHawk for a Handgun Hunting platform.
It comes equipped with a scope base and rings.
It comes with a Quick Change front sight system.
Hogue Make the Tamer Grip designed for the Alaskan, that will fit it.
It is easy to put a spring kit in.
UltraDot West will fix you right up with a 30mm UltraDot sight as well as a Scope Coat for it.
No custom, or gunsmith work required to have it field ready.
The only thing I would change with the Super RedHawk would be the addition of a 5-1/2" barrel version.
Bob
The first poster probably hit the nail on the head about three groups.
Those wanting a serious back up gun.
Those wanting the biggest and baddest to show off at the range.
Serious handgun hunters.
In the group 1 and 2 catagory we probably have the highest percentage of non reloaders. They are probably turned off with the cheapest ammo being around $1.50 a shot. Also by availability, which also leaves lots to be desired.
The group 3 crowd, the serious hunters like the 480 Ruger just fine. Hang out over on the Handgun Hunting Forum some, and you will locate lots of 480 shooters.
Back Up Gun Crowd:
A high percentage of the back up gun guys want an economical, reasonably light and compact big bore back up gun, and would have rather had a 5 shot Super BlackHawk in 480. Agreed Ruger dropped the ball on this one.
I have both a 7-1/2" as well as a 9-1/2" Super RedHawk in 480 Ruger. If I had the option of picking my barrel lengths I would go with a 5" or 5-1/2" for general use, and probably the 7-1/2" for hunting. Ruger would have been much better off offering a 5-1/2" version than the 9-1/2". If a 5-1/2" version had been made it would have been much more totable in a holster for field carry.
Handloading for the 480 you can go mild to wild. My general purpose load is a 400 grain Lee bullet over 8 grains of Uinque.
My snake load is 4 grains of Clays under about 175 grains of shot.
My deer load is normally the 400 grain Lee with a near maximum dose of AA#9, or H110.
This year I was playing with some True Shot Lazer Cast 355 Gas Checks when deer season came around. I tagged a large doe on my Antlerless ONLY Tag, and an 11 point buck on my Anydeer Tag.
Myself as a Handgun Hunter I like the Super RedHawk. If you have a set of new unused 1" rings, you can swap them with Ruger for a set of 30mm rings. This allows installation of a 30mm UltraDot sight. Or if you do not have a set to trade, you can buy the rings.
Next is grips, the Hogue Tamer grips really soak up recoil. The Tamers have the Smurf Blue insert of Sorbothane down the back. You can see the Blue Sorbothane strip if you take the grip off. They only come standard on the Alaskan. You will probably need to order a set.
Tune Up work: Wolfe and Wilson Combat both sell a spring kit for the Super RedHawk to improve the trigger pull.
Open Sights: Marble makes a super Fiber Optic front sight for the Super RedHawk Quick Change sight system.
To me the cost of ammunition is a non issue. I have never bought a factory round for the 480. I have around 500 rounds of brass on hand, which should last me the rest of my life. I have both Lee bullet mould, the 325 gas check, and the 400 grain. Note the 325 is a hair short, and does not seem to shoot real well. Lee needs to redesign it into about a 355 grain with a little more length that will shoot better.
For my needs I really like the 480 Ruger cartridge. It is easy to load, and versatile.
I also like the Super RedHawk for a Handgun Hunting platform.
It comes equipped with a scope base and rings.
It comes with a Quick Change front sight system.
Hogue Make the Tamer Grip designed for the Alaskan, that will fit it.
It is easy to put a spring kit in.
UltraDot West will fix you right up with a 30mm UltraDot sight as well as a Scope Coat for it.
No custom, or gunsmith work required to have it field ready.
The only thing I would change with the Super RedHawk would be the addition of a 5-1/2" barrel version.
Bob
22-rimfire
New member
I think the 480 SRH should have been offered in more barrel lengths. There was long, longer, and short. The Alaskan barely made it into production in 480 R and then they dropped it. For me, a 6.5" barrel would have been ideal. I own the 9.5" which is scoped and used for hunting.
Ammo is getting more difficult to find. None of the local shops stock it any more. The price of the Horandy loads have been creeping up in price from where they started around $18 per 20-ct box. It is pretty much a mail order item now, but at least they are available in both 325 and 400 gr loads. The 400's are hard to find.
Ruger needs to bring it back and do small production runs and cut down the barrel length as one of the choices.
Ammo is getting more difficult to find. None of the local shops stock it any more. The price of the Horandy loads have been creeping up in price from where they started around $18 per 20-ct box. It is pretty much a mail order item now, but at least they are available in both 325 and 400 gr loads. The 400's are hard to find.
Ruger needs to bring it back and do small production runs and cut down the barrel length as one of the choices.
johnwilliamson062
Moderator
I think it was a stupid idea to begin with. Anyone seen high sales of 500 SW special chambered guns? Of course not. Why in the world would you introduce a big bore caliber based off another BUT weaker? Makes no sense.
22-rimfire
New member
It makes perfect sense since the 480 Ruger is no slouch in the power department. Shoot one, you'll see. It is the "special" version of the 475 Linebaugh. However, I wold have preferred that Ruger chamber the SRH in 475/480 rather than just the 480.
Sorry I'm late to this thread and this forum. This "place" is awesome!
I have a 480 (obviously) and I freakin looooove it! I bought it off my father in law for 200 bucks. He called it the poor mans big bore. When you compare the cost of 480 ammo (I don't reload) to that of the 460XVR, its cheap. I can usually find 325 gr ammo at Sportsmans and if not there then Scheels always has it.
I have the 7 1/2inch and use it mainly for deer, but thats only because Iowa doesn't have moose or brown bears or elk...
I can speak to the brass sticking. It does. Unless its 30 degrees or below. Then it slides right out. I really dont care though. Brass sticking in the cylinder is the only issue I have and I consider it a minor one.
I guess the other issue I have would be finding a cc holster for it
but thats it
I have a 480 (obviously) and I freakin looooove it! I bought it off my father in law for 200 bucks. He called it the poor mans big bore. When you compare the cost of 480 ammo (I don't reload) to that of the 460XVR, its cheap. I can usually find 325 gr ammo at Sportsmans and if not there then Scheels always has it.
I have the 7 1/2inch and use it mainly for deer, but thats only because Iowa doesn't have moose or brown bears or elk...
I can speak to the brass sticking. It does. Unless its 30 degrees or below. Then it slides right out. I really dont care though. Brass sticking in the cylinder is the only issue I have and I consider it a minor one.
I guess the other issue I have would be finding a cc holster for it
but thats it
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DealHunter
New member
http://ruger.com/products/superRedhawkStandard/models.html
http://ruger.com/products/superRedhawkAlaskan/models.html
Yup, making both versions of the SRH again starting in 2013, so I'm assuming they think there is interest in the cartridge again otherwise they wouldn't bother...
Perhaps they'll listen to the customers now and try for a SBH (I know I'd get one, even more so if they offered it in a Hunter config).
Ruger totally 'missed the boat' with the 480.
It kicks too hard for use in a double action frame for most men to enjoy.
If they were to bring it out in a 5 shot cylinder in a Bisley Super blackhawk they would sell all they could make.
DA is of no advantage with a 480. It’s strictly a hunting cartridge and a SA is not really any slower to make HITS with but the bisley frame would keep the recoil from being painful
I wrote them a letter to this effect a few years ago, but was never answered.
It kicks too hard for use in a double action frame for most men to enjoy.
If they were to bring it out in a 5 shot cylinder in a Bisley Super blackhawk they would sell all they could make.
DA is of no advantage with a 480. It’s strictly a hunting cartridge and a SA is not really any slower to make HITS with but the bisley frame would keep the recoil from being painful
I wrote them a letter to this effect a few years ago, but was never answered.
22-rimfire
New member
Welcome Ruger480 to the forum.
If Ruger missed the boat, it was in not marketing it sufficiently back when it was introduced. It does kick. I think it kicks a lot, but that is me. Many people like a DA revolver over a single action. Whether the recoil impulse would be more manageable in a single action frame is another matter.
You have to want to shoot these big bore revolvers. They are not for everyone and I don't think they were ever envisioned as a revolver for everyone. They knew it was essentially a hunting revolver and as such they chose to make it in the 7.5" and 9.5" barrel lengths. I have a 9.5". It is quite the hawg to carry, but manageble in a shoulder type holster.
The 480 Ruger is all you need for hunting whitetails or any North American game that you can get close enough to make a fair shot.
As far as a Ruger single action goes... You can get the 480/475 in the Magnum Research BFR in 6.5" and 7.5". It is not a bisley frame however. It is a well made revolver and I would call it a Ruger+. They pay a bit more attention to detail than Ruger.
Since Ruger is making both the Alaskan and the 7.5" SRH, I think there will be a sufficient supply to meet the demand since it was discontinued. I would like to see them make a 5.5" or 6.5" SRH. It would be a lot handier in the woods. I think the SRH is a better revolver than the Redhawk.
There would certainly be interest in a Ruger manufactured a 5-shot single action using the Bisley frame. But for now, I am pleased that Ruger has at least started making a few production runs of the SRH. They are not inexpensive however.
Added: I want to get an Alaskan in 480 Ruger. If I see one at a shop, I will probably take it home with me if the price is half way fair.
If Ruger missed the boat, it was in not marketing it sufficiently back when it was introduced. It does kick. I think it kicks a lot, but that is me. Many people like a DA revolver over a single action. Whether the recoil impulse would be more manageable in a single action frame is another matter.
You have to want to shoot these big bore revolvers. They are not for everyone and I don't think they were ever envisioned as a revolver for everyone. They knew it was essentially a hunting revolver and as such they chose to make it in the 7.5" and 9.5" barrel lengths. I have a 9.5". It is quite the hawg to carry, but manageble in a shoulder type holster.
The 480 Ruger is all you need for hunting whitetails or any North American game that you can get close enough to make a fair shot.
As far as a Ruger single action goes... You can get the 480/475 in the Magnum Research BFR in 6.5" and 7.5". It is not a bisley frame however. It is a well made revolver and I would call it a Ruger+. They pay a bit more attention to detail than Ruger.
Since Ruger is making both the Alaskan and the 7.5" SRH, I think there will be a sufficient supply to meet the demand since it was discontinued. I would like to see them make a 5.5" or 6.5" SRH. It would be a lot handier in the woods. I think the SRH is a better revolver than the Redhawk.
There would certainly be interest in a Ruger manufactured a 5-shot single action using the Bisley frame. But for now, I am pleased that Ruger has at least started making a few production runs of the SRH. They are not inexpensive however.
Added: I want to get an Alaskan in 480 Ruger. If I see one at a shop, I will probably take it home with me if the price is half way fair.
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480 Ruger
I wanted to get a larger bore revolver and did a lot of research deciding on the S&W 460 over the 480 and others. Maybe the Ruger has something that I missed but the 460 can shoot a low power 45 Colt, a moderate powered 454 Casull, or a higher power 460 all with very good accuracy. While most of us load so we can adjust the power of the ammo, it is a plus for any revolver if it can shoot multiple calibers. I like the revolver but shooting 100 rounds of full power 460 would not make a fun range day and start to get old somewhere between shot #30 and 40!
I wanted to get a larger bore revolver and did a lot of research deciding on the S&W 460 over the 480 and others. Maybe the Ruger has something that I missed but the 460 can shoot a low power 45 Colt, a moderate powered 454 Casull, or a higher power 460 all with very good accuracy. While most of us load so we can adjust the power of the ammo, it is a plus for any revolver if it can shoot multiple calibers. I like the revolver but shooting 100 rounds of full power 460 would not make a fun range day and start to get old somewhere between shot #30 and 40!
22-rimfire
New member
There is one crucial difference with the 480 and 460... the 480 is a .475 caliber and 460 a .45 caliber. But if you are seeking extreme velocities, then the 480 is not the choice for you.
wooly booger
Moderator
I think it is a great cartridge marketed to the wrong crowd. Its performance is adequate but not spectacular out of 7.5 and 9.5 barrels as a hunting cartridge. The only available guns were / are huge and impractical for long term woods carry ( even the 2" Ruger Alaskan is like carrying a brick).
I have advocated to deaf ears for many years the chambering of the .480 in a 5 shot 5 1/2" Super Blackhawk. This would be a perfect affordable bear backup for western bowhunters and wouldn't require a wheelbarrow to haul it around.
I have advocated to deaf ears for many years the chambering of the .480 in a 5 shot 5 1/2" Super Blackhawk. This would be a perfect affordable bear backup for western bowhunters and wouldn't require a wheelbarrow to haul it around.
Super Sneaky Steve
New member
Ruger should make a nice carbine rifle for the .480. That would ensure that it would never die and would make getting a revolver in the same caliber make more sense.
22-rimfire
New member
I wonder how much re-engineering of the Mini-14/30 it would take to use the 480 Ruger. It might actually be a good idea and certainly be an interesting rifle and I might buy one. A ten-round mag would be fine. The pundits would of course say that better rifle cartridges are available? They have chambered their No. 1 (single shot).