RBH 45 colt backup

[old coach]

I got a good deal on a Ruger BH 4 5/8 in 45 colt at the gun show. I want to use it for backup while deer, bear, and hog hunting. It will get an action job with a super BH hammer, cyl. reamed, and new sites. Any other suggestions? I will use hard cast bullets 250-300 grn. Load? Thinking of a cross-draw holster from El Paso Saddlery. Any suggestion for a weather-proof type finish as gun is blue. I have a 7 1/2 bbl gun that will shoot 3in at 100 yds off a rest. What can I expect from the shorter bbl? THANKS

[jimster]

You should have great accuracy from the shorter tube, maybe a tad harder because the sights are closer together, but it will be accurate as you can hold it especially since your getting the ream job on the cyl.
When I bought my first 45 ruger about 29 years ago, I didn't know about things like getting the cylinder reamed and forcing cones. Had to learn about all that stuff a lot later, from magazines mostly. No internet for me back then.  Made a huge difference when I had it done on the 45's.
There's going to be some extra muzzle flip with the shorter barrel for sure compared to your 7.5 tube, but you'll enjoy it I'm sure.
Sounds like the perfect packin Ruger to me.

Not sure what to do about the weather proofing on the blued guns.
My rugers got a lot of the blueing wore off from weather and holsters.

[Golsovia]

I would add that the 4 5/8 Colt has been a great backup gun for me; even gotten me out of a tight spot or two (of the wild kind.)

Your gun should do 1100-1200 with 300s which won't be easily stopped by most animals.

I would hesitate to say that the muzzle flip will be greater - different, yes. You don't have the great mass of the longer barrel so, while the recoil arc may be a bit faster, it doesn't seem as strong or, consequently, as hard to control. That's how I perceive it. I'm sure that varies from person to person though.

I like my everyday guns to be stainless, but to be honest, when it comes to handguns, I haven't had trouble with my blued ones.