Gunsmith - 50 Alaskan

[JHT]

I have heard that several smiths are producing single actions in .50 Alaskan.  Does anyone have first-hand knowledge of who produces such revolvers?  Does anyone have experience shooting this cartridge in a handgun?  Other than such a cartridge being inherently dangerous to the average shooter does anyone have any stats on this gun?  Thanks, JHT

[MS Hitman]

Go over to Accurate Reloading's handgun hunting section and you can see a Jack Huntington made revolver in full recoil.  That was a 525 grain cast bullet at nearly 1500 fps.

[JHT]

Hitman, thanks for the info.  Now that I have taken the time to look at the picture that you directed me too I am even more interested in examining this combination of single action with the .50 Alaskan.  Thanks again, JHT

[Lloyd Smale]

I may take some heat for this but ive allways consider them a gimimic gun. i cant see why someone would want one. Loaded to sane levels they dont do anything a 500 linebaugh does and loaded to levels that a 50 alaskan lever gun will take i dont think theres a man on earth that can honestly master it. The 500 linebaugh max is a real handfull that will hurt you if your not careful. I probably shoot more big bore guns then anyone here and know my limits. to me waht they are is a gun a guy loads up to the max and pulls the trigger on once to impress everyone around them. Your gain nothing by cranking the velocity of a cast bullet up to where the gun is capable other then making more noise and tearing up your body. Im not a fan of bfrs as most guys here knows. But if i was to buy one id pick up a 475. At least then you can get the smaller framed gun that doesnt require a wheelbarrow to haul around and has about all the power capabilty in a revolver that can be actually used on game. When you get into large cases like the 50ak and even the 4570 using a short handgun barrel. effiecent loadings for them becomes a chore. If you want to impress everyone by dropping HUGE cartridges into a gun and making enormous ammounts of muzzle blast have at er boys. But dont fool yourself into thinking your gaining anything.

[JHT]

Lloyd, your sentiments are well taken.  I have a .475 Linebaugh, built by John himself, and I have learned to control the gun and its loads over the years that i have owned the gun.  I have a "unused" .357 Maximum sitting in the safe and for years have thought about sacrificing its frame to have John produce a Maximum in either .475 Max or.500 Max.  Part of my hesitation is that the Maximum is "factory fresh" and does not deserve to be put into the position of becoming a parts gun.  Time will tell what I ultimately decide to do.  Lloyd, thanks.  JHT

P.S.  As an afterthought, perhpaps I'll request that John build me another Linebaugh in .475 or.500.  I have found NO fault in his craftsmanship.

[MS Hitman]

Lloyd,

Each to his own.  I wouldn't spend money on one, because it did not penetrate any better than a .500 Linebaugh loaded with the same weight and style bullet that was traveling at nearly 500 fps slower than the Alaskan.  It would create a larger wound channel on both the shooter and whatever he was trying to peel off himself at the time.

Like I told Charlie Smith one time, I have six children; I don't need an ego and don't feel the need to impress anyone anymore.  One of the seminar attendees brought the revolver over and I shot it because everyone else was hesitant to shoot over my chronograph. It is certainly not the largest cartridge handgun I have ever shot, but is most definitely the most sever recoiling revolver I have shot. 

[Lloyd Smale]

i guess the best answer to about any question is the first four works in your post.

Lloyd,

Each to his own.  I wouldn't spend money on one, because it did not penetrate any better than a .500 Linebaugh loaded with the same weight and style bullet that was traveling at nearly 500 fps slower than the Alaskan.  It would create a larger wound channel on both the shooter and whatever he was trying to peel off himself at the time.

Like I told Charlie Smith one time, I have six children; I don't need an ego and don't feel the need to impress anyone anymore.  One of the seminar attendees brought the revolver over and I shot it because everyone else was hesitant to shoot over my chronograph. It is certainly not the largest cartridge handgun I have ever shot, but is most definitely the most sever recoiling revolver I have shot. 

[MS Hitman]

Probably so.  How are things up your way?

[Lloyd Smale]

white