44 mag vs .480

[snowman2646]

hey,
     i have been looking at handguns and doing some research and ive narrowed down my choices of handguns to a 44 mag and a .480.
tghis would be my first handgun but i have had experiance shooting a few of them so i do knwo what im getting into.  this gun would primarily be used for weekend shooting but when deer season does come around im definatly gonna be using.  if i recall correctly i dont think the ballistics i looked up were much different on them.  but that extra weight would seem to me to put down them deer.  i was mainly looking at thos big tarus revolver "ragin bull"  i like the looks of the 8 3/8" barrel.  also i've been planning on getting a reloader jsut havent got around to doing all the research on it yet im sure trheres a lot more to it then the shotgun loads i load

oh yeah this is off topic but i am also going into the Air Force in december and i was wondering what the regulations are on having a gun on base

any advise is appreciated Thanks.

[Questor]

As a 44 magnum owner and afficianado, I think that the 480 would be a more versatile gun, provided you don't mind paying a premium price for ammunition and reloading components.  The 44 is perfectly good for deer, but I'd like something heavier for hogs.  If the 480 were available when I got my 44, I'd probably have gotten the 480 instead.  

That said, the important thing with either one is to get the right  bullet.  The Hornady XTP bullets are very good for deer.

[myronman3]

i would advise the other way.  you will pay through the nose for reloading components for the 480 compared to the 44.  the 44 magnum will do anything you need it to; and for your weekend shooting you can use 44 specials if you like.   the 44's have far more bullet weight choices than the 475's,  and 44 magnum ammo is alot easier to find than 480.  
   as far as military regulations on personal weapons; you are allowed to have them but only under strict control - one of the sad ironies of our nation.

[Tom W.]

I have both and while the .480 is good for what I want it for, so is the .44 Mag. I cast my own bullets so the the price of "ready made" bullets doesn't apply, but it is cheaper and easier to find boxes of .44 magnum cartridges. The brass is cheaper, too.

I still have the box of cartridges that I got when I bought my .480, and they figured out to be $1.05 per shot for the "ready rolls."  There's still 18 in the box. I usually shoot the 400 gr. cast and a fair amount of WWW296 or H110.

[Zeus]

I've had both and I personally would go with the 44.  Although components for the 480 are becoming more common, the price is still higher than the 44 caliber.  For me, the 44 is more versatile and pleasant to shoot.  I love the 475 caliber however and I'm planning on getting another Freedom Arms in 475 Linebaugh soon but if I were to only pick one at first, it would be a 44 with a 240 XTP for deer and a nice heavy hardcast like the 313 grain RCBS from www.creeker.net for hogs.  The 313 that I mentioned is the most accurate bullet I have shot from my 44 magnums.  At 100 yards, the groups were VERY impressive.  GS

[Rmouleart]

The 44 mag has been around a long time, like other posts said there is a wealth of reloading info and components,the sky is your limit, where the Ruger 480 is new and still limited to a few choices and also costly components compared to the 44mag, the 480 only edges out the 44mag in a few applications other than that they are close to equal power, unlike lets say the 454 casull, now there is a big jump in power, but in performance the 44mag would come out on top, I have achieved great accuracy using the 44mag, recoil is manageable, unlike the 454 casull is a raped ape LOL, but I still like it;) Just takes a real good hold and stance to be able to group well using hot loads. I believe if you have a 475 revolver you can shoot the 480's, just like the 44mag/44sp & 45LC/454 casull...Aim small hit small. RAMbo.

[willis5]

you will be fine either way.
if you shoot a lot though, go with the 44. cheaper.
it will do what you need it to do for weekend shooting and deer hunting

[Hcliff]

Both are great rounds.  I have both.  The 44 is a better big bore to start.  Ammo is more plentiful and reloading componets are easier to find.  I love my 480 but it is a specialist round.  It is a reloaders round.  And as much as people say that it is easy to shoot you should be an experienced big bore handgunner for some of the loads.  At the range some people will try it  and then say thanks after it was done.  My 44 gets alot more "shooting" time by other compare to my 480.  The 44 is a good step to start for recoil too.  Some of the upper end 480 loads are a handful  :shock: .  I can shoot more 44 rounds in a setting without getting fatigue.  Will the 480 kill a deer better than a 44, in theory it will but dead is dead.  The 44 is a good start and then you can by the 480 after, then the 475 Linebaugh, then the 500 Linebaugh then, S&W 500, etc.  :grin:   I love them both but by the 44 first.

Hcliff

[bigbore442001]

The 44 magnum is far more versatile than the 480. When you look at the ballistics, the numbers show that the 480 is more powerful. I doubt anyone could argue that point. But the ammunition availability and vareity isn't there with the 480.

With the 44 Magnum, you can use 180 grain HP all the way to 330 grain Hammer heads by Garrett . So you can shoot anything from mice to moose with the gun.

Another thing to consider is possibly a 454 Casull in the Ruger SRH. If I were just starting in the game I would seriously look at it. Get good with 45 Colts and then work up to Casull loads. Again, a very versatile round. You can hunt a great variety of game with that gun. Look at the numbers as well as the loads offered by manufacturers.

Hmm. Personal firearms and the service. I have had friends in the service and they told me it was a pain in the rear to have personal firearms on base. You would have to keep it in a base armory. There anyone can fondle it and possibly use it without your permission or knowledge. Another issue is that what happens if you get stationed overseas? Say you get sent to England. Do you think they'll let you take your revolver? In addition, I want to say that a base commander has a lot to say about what personnel can and can't have, do, wear. The man in charge may not want you to own any firearms on "his" base. If you live off base, different story. Just some food for thought. Talk to the recruiter about that as well as any veterans that you know that served recently.

[Tom W.]

If one gets a .480, I don't think mice are in the picture..... :-D

[Deaf Smith]

the 44 is the more versatile round you can load it light with cast bullets for either practice small gamd or plinking or screaming hot with 325 grain jacketed hollow of soiftpoints. there is just way too much you can do with a 44 than a 480. The caliber is for huge game like the big bears on Kodiak island and even there the 44 can keep up. the only real advantage is somewhat more bullet weight and a bigger bullets. I still find the 44 more useful than the other in every way cheaper to shoot no matter what kind of ammo you want you can even buy lead loaded practice ammo from onlinc companys by the thousane for about $250-300. try that with the 480.  I prefer the 44 myself which is why I have 3 of them  629, ruger blackhawk and a Super Redhawk. the SRK handles any 44 load I canr to give it and is accurate enough for any hunting I care to try. I would not hesitate to go after the big bears or even a africian lion with it. I have that much confidance in the gun and the heavy loads used in it. I belarve the Tarus Raging bull is avaiable in 44 magnum as well ans will make a big massive recolver thay can take the same loads as my SRK I sugest you go with that one since you like the gun itsself. Just get it in 44.
Jim L

[bigbore442001]

Well. According to the call at 5:45 AM from my girlfriend, the mice in her place needed something along the lines of a 480 Ruger.  :grin:

[1911crazy]

I've owned two Ruger Redhawks in 44mag since when they first were made both in stainless and one of each 5 1/2" bbl and one 7 1/2" bbl.  The 7 1/2"bbl is easier to shoot and control.  I buy my 240gr SWC lead from Northwest Loading  500rds for $30.50  and my 240gr  JSP  mag-tech bullets from Midway 100rds for $6  for reloading.  I like the 44mag. overall because of the cost of new ammo or the cheaper cost of reloading.  If I was going to hunt with one it would be the Ruger Super RedHawk in 44mag stainless if it was made when i bought my two one would be the "super" for sure!!!.   I've been thinking of trading my 5 1/2"bbl in on a super redhawk in 44mag for quite sometime now.
                                                                       BigBill

I was thinking of going to a bigger caliber but after I seen the cost of the ammo that would put a damper on how much I would shoot it just like the cost of ammo for my 338 win. mag.  its a hunting gun only and a safe queen.

[Deaf Smith]

Go for it. the SRK is a supior piece of ordance. I really love mine and it makes full power 44s feel like shooting full power 359s in a model 27 the extra weight and size really tames the factory round while at the same time allowing moving up to some really neat loads with 300 and 350 grain lead hard cast bullets for some real womping power. Not for everyday use, It won't the gun but you may develope a flinch they would be perfect for elk or moose or any of the bears. I love my SRK and plan to keep it for a long long time. the one thing I did do was replace the lousy factory grips with a set of rubber Hogues. They feel much better in my hand and so does the gun now. Buy one you won't regret it. If you really like long barrels the SRK comes in a 9.5" as well as the popular 7.5(mine) good luck.
Jim L