What happened with the .480 Ruger?

I wonder how much re-engineering of the Mini-14/30 it would take to use the 480 Ruger.
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a whole new rifle design. The .480 is rimmed, has a huge case head,
The old deerfield .44 was be a more viable candidate for an auto in .480

I'd personally love to see Ruger revive the old Number 3. There are a lot of cool newer cartridges that would be great in that platform.
 
480/475 Linebaugh

It seems that many think the 480 is missing the mark as far as power, size, etc. You want a 480 in a single action so just buy a 475 Linebaugh. It shoots the 480 and the 475 Linebaugh so you get the best of both worlds. Since the 480 is basically a 475 Special I don't see it as a problem.

That said, I find my Super Redhawk 7.5" barrel is easier on my wrists that my Blackhawk in 44 mag. The 480 kicks for sure but not nearly as punishing as my 44 mag. Since many 475 Linbaugh shooters load down to 480 Ruger levels it seems there are more options for us than just the Super Redhawk.
 
Yes, I agree, The BlackHawk in .44 Mag produces a lot of torch-wrenching twist associated its recoil, unlike the SRH 480.
 
The 480 looked interesting to me since it came out, and I considered getting one over the years. What prevented me is that it was in a Super Redhawk which is IMHO one of the ugliest & most ungainly handguns out there. It looks like something that would come from a plumber's toolbox. If it had come in a Super Blackhawk or Redhawk package I probably would have owned one long ago.
 
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).
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What crowd do you thing Ruger marketed the 480 SRH to? I found my scoped 9.5" SRH to be impractical to carry in the woods IF you are also carrying a rifle. As a stand alone hunting revolver and a proper holster, they carry pretty easily and in fact more easily than most rifles. When I carry it, it is the only firearm I carry hunting and it has been mostly woods hunting. The Alaskan is a dedicated backup revolver where nothing but a big bore will do in the mind of the shooter.

Choosing a big bore revolver.....

If you are interested in getting into the big bore game (41 mag+), it would be a good investiment in knowledge to buy Maz Prasac's book "Big-Bore Revolvers". The 480 Ruger is a reasonable first step into this new realm of shooting. You get a reasonable summary of what is available and Max's experience with each as well as useful information on simply shooting these revolvers. One table that is useful is the "Recoil Table" on page 164 in sorting out just how powerful these calibers are and the amount of recoil.

Pointshoot, maybe the BFR 480/475 would be a good choice for you. I agree the SRH's are ugly. But they handle the pressure and are reasonably accurate. The SRH is the ugliest revolver I own. But I would buy another one. Guess they aren't too ugly...
 
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To Ruger480 about CC holster

I carry my Ruger 7 1/2" Super Redhawk 480 in a Bianchi X15 Large. The holster is huge and the bottom strap connects to my belt just right. At 5' 9" and 230 I am shaped more like an avocado with toothpicks for legs but the gun hides well.

With a jacket or large open shirt it is concealed enough to surprise my other CC friends. Fortunately here in Washington State open carry is legal so an occasional accidental viewing is a non-issue.
 
The 480 Ruger died because Ruger needs to put it in s 5 shot $600 blue color case hardened Blackhawk Bisley 4 5/8, 5.5 and 7.5". I would tackle someone to get that gun. They could make SS also for work.
 
Custom is available, yes, but I don't want a $2000 480 Ruger. This is the failure. If custom SA's are available, why not factory?
 
Yep, what Nathan said.

There are a lot of us out there, that don't really 'need' a new gun or a new cartridge. Weve already got 45 Colt, 44 Mag, 454, etc, etc chambered handguns.
So if we get something else, we'll have to perform the mental tricks of coming up with 'reasons' why we just gotta get the new gun. Bottomline with that, is just plain liking and wanting it. The maker has to provide something which appeals to us and entices us to buy. For me . . . that isnt in a SuperRedhawk.

I don't 'need' a five shot 480 SuperBlackhawk or Redhawk either. But with those guns, if you gave me a day or two, I'm sure I could invent the 'reasons' for needing one ! :)
And no, the 'need' doesnt get to the level of being willing to put out $2k and waiting for a year to get a custom. Instead, we're almost talking about an impulse purchase.
The market for the 480 ? Guys that don't really need one, but could be enticed to buy one - - - if we like the package its in.
 
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I don't know how Ruger defines a "hit". Regardless of the definition, the number of units sold would likely be relatively low. I would assume that there is a big drop in units manufactured and sold when you go from 44 mag caliber to say 454 Casull or 480 Ruger. All that said, I would love for them to make a Bisley Hunter Blackhawk chambered for the 475L/480R. I think it would be a "hit" within the big bore community (a small community). But if I were Ruger, I would skip offering it in 454 Casull to promote interest and sales with their own caliber.

One might wonder why Ruger hasn't offered the Redhawk again in 41 mag.

I do know one thing, the Alaskan chambered in 480 Ruger loaded to about 1050-1100 fps would make a pretty niffty defensive gun for woods carry. I want one and I want one in the next 6 months because I don't know how long Ruger will manufacture or offer to manufacture the Alaskan in 480 Ruger this time around.

I try to deal with what "is" versus making up conditions that for most people "a willing to consider" revolver in a certain chambering. If you handload, you really don't need the 475/480 chambering since the 480 does just about everything any "normal" shooter might want from a bigger than 44 mag bore. Make no mistake, the 480 Ruger has fairly substantial recoil if your reference point is 44 magnum.
 
To me, its a solution in search of a problem. You already had a 44 mag, 454 casull, 45 colt, etc. Then you already had a .475 linebaugh, and so, why get a 480 only gun? I can understand to some extent making the ammo, but making a gun chambered in it? Eh, I remember when it came out, I basically thought "what was Ruger thinking here?"

In retrospect, there is some merit to the 480 being available in smaller or different revolvers, which to some is attractive but to me, it would be more so a luxury item than a duty revolver given the time of its introduction, and what preceeded it. I mean, a use for a gun that has more power than a 44 mag, but less than a 475, when the 454 already exists? And the 44 mag can be loaded up, and the 475 can be loaded down (with handloading)?
 
A "solution to a problem that does not exist" or "a solution in seach of a problem" is just an easy way to say that you aren't interested in trying it out. I suspect you say exactly the same thing about the 41 mag. The 41 mag is my favorite big bore caliber. One could also say that about just about any big bore caliber beyond 44 mag. They are not for everyone.

When you really get down to it, just about every revolver caliber more powerful than a 44 mag level is a solution to a problem that does not exist in the normal shooting world at normal distances.
 
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Well, "hit" in this case is certainly different than for the SR 1911.
If they chambered it in bothe rounds I would have considered it for my big bore hunting gun. Like I said before, the expert I know says shooting the 480 ruger is more enjoyable than any of his other big bores b/c of the way it recoil(push v. snap I guess). With only the proprietary round that never took off being the option, I bought a 460 instead.
 
just an easy way to say that you aren't interested in trying it out. I suspect you say exactly the same thing about the 41 mag. The 41 mag is my favorite big bore caliber. One could also say that about just about any big bore caliber beyond 44 mag. They are not for everyone.
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Nope, wrong. I do not think that about the 41 mag, because WHEN INTRODUCED, it made sense as a concept, compared to what was already out there. The 41 mag arrived when there was nothing between the 44 mag and 357 mag. Of course handloaders could play around, but S&W made the 41 mag, and overall, it was a good idea - it sold. When the 480 WAS INTRODUCED, however, it did not make much sense, compared to what was already out there. Think about it like this - if the 41 mag was a good analogy (for the record, its a terrible analogy) why do 41 mags sell and 480s do not? Perhaps MANY MANY people think the 480 is not very useful. I will acknowledge that its cool in a way because its unique and they're not often seen - when everyone else has some kind of 44 mag 454 casull, 460, 500, etc - to have a 480 is interesting. If I was a millionaire, I would perhaps buy one just because. From practicality and usefulness standpoint, probably not, unless it was a deal. Getting a deal on one is possible, because I imagine they are tough sells on the used market.

I checked out my Hornady book for some reloading data on the 480 and contemporaries - its nearly a 454 casull in performance, and its a good bit more powerful than a 44 mag. How many people have a 475 linebaugh and do not reload?

When introduced, to me, it did not serve much purpose. The ctg itself had some merit with the small pct of people who had a 475, but did not reload. However, to have a gun solely in that caliber - I still say - for what purpose? "Interested in trying it out" has nothing to do with it. If I reloaded, and I could get a 44 mag (fills most purposes), a 454 casull, or a 475 linbaugh - can you explain why the 480 is a good choice? If I already had the 475, and reloaded, can you explain why I should get a 480 revolver? If I had a 454 casull, is there a reason to get 480? Remember a 454 can chamber 45 colt loads as well.

Perhaps this is something beyond my comprehension. If it works for you, then buy it. I have nothing against someone owning a variety of magnum handguns.
 
Some thoughts...

I think if you have the proper revolvers and are an average shooter in terms of frequency and distance, there is little reason to buy anything other than a 45 Colt (LC) and roll your own. But I have never caught the 45 Colt bug.

It is hard to say why you choose one caliber over another. But once you do, you tend to work within the framework of the calibers you own with increases in power are usually in steps.

I have never shot a full power 454 Casull or a 460 S&W. I think I generally know my tolerance to recoil. The 480 Ruger comes close to my present top limits in the SRH platform. But I did recently purchase a BFR in 480/475 that will allow me to move past the 480 Ruger somewhat if I choose to. I expect that I will be shooting mostly 480 Ruger loads through it. But the capability is there if I choose to shoot loads in 475 Linebaugh.

Why the 480 Ruger? Winchester_73 would say, why bother? That appears to be a common belief. I don't know why Ruger did not chamber their SRH in 475/480 rather than just 480 unless they simply wanted to promote their own caliber or they were uncomfortable with the higher powered 475 Linebaugh. But at the time, 475 Linebaugh was pretty much a custom revolver game and ammunition mostly for handloaders. It still is although there are factory choices now.

Ruger wanted a mainstream caliber that could be mastered by shooters who are comfortable with the 44 mag, but just want a bit more. That is the place of the 480 Ruger in the world of big bore revolvers.

The article linked by 480Ruger is one of the first articles I read on the subject. I had little knowledge of the 454 Casull or any of the higher powered offerings available today.

For many shooters who might not want to waste money and have a yearning for a higher level of power, the 480 Ruger is available as is the 454 Casull. Many are now choosing the 460 S&W which allows for shooting the 45LC and 454 C. I can understand that conceptually, but I tend to shoot the caliber that a revolver was designed for mostly and not extremely higher or lower powered loads.

Hence the 480 Ruger choice. It is enough. I didn't believe the 454 Casull would be fun, would be beyond the power level that I am comfortable with, and certainly not necessary for hunting most North American wild game. The same argument can be made for both the 44 mag and 45LC.

Does size matter? Yes, No, Maybe...? The big bore shooters seem to think so as they have taken it to the 500 S&W or some of the other 50 caliber handgun calibers.

Whether a 357, 41, 43, 45, 475, or 50 caliber is right for you is up to you. Everyone wants a bigger one... seeking that perfect handgun caliber that you can take out buffalo at 1000 yds with one shot. Where does it stop? I don't kow, but it keeps life interesting.

I chose the 480 Ruger 12 years ago. At the time, my choices were 454 Casull or 480 Ruger in factory loads. Freedom Arms revolvers were beyond my perceived need in terms of cost. You had the Ruger SRH and Taurus was coming out with a Raging Bull in both calibers. I went with Ruger's reputation. (Truthfully, that was the first centerfire Ruger revolver I ever purchased at the time. I was not a Ruger fan.)

Would I now choose a 460 S&W or 500 S&W? I have considered those things of late. I think I would choose a 480/475 chambering today for the same reasons I chose it 12 years ago (recoil and my perception of effectiveness hunting deer or bear).

I skipped over the 45LC. Probably would today as well, but I know that you can achieve nearly the same results from the 45LC.
 
If one caliber/platform was good enough for everybody and everything, gun manufacturers and ammo companies would have a hard time stayin' in business. This would also be a very boring shooting sports world to live in. Why there is such a Myriad of calibers and platforms to shoot them in has never been a mystery to me. What has always been a mystery to me, is why some gun owners feel the need to trash what other gun enthusiasts chose to shoot, especially now in these days of anti-gun sentiment. If it ain't your cup of Joe, so be it. Enjoy what you have and let others enjoy what they have. In other words.......just shut up and shoot, and appreciate the fact that others enjoy the sport also.
 
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