Author Topic: 480 Ruger (Read 1020 times)

Jim n Iowa · « **on:** July 29, 2003, 02:13:56 PM »

I checked out Winchester's web site and they (and others on-line) a model 94 Traditional in the 480 Ruger Big Bore. My ? is where do we get some comparative info on this? Who makes ammo, componets, and where is the load data? And also why is not Ruger making a rifle in this cal?

Dutch4122 · « **Reply #1 on:** July 29, 2003, 03:38:24 PM »

Actually I think that the next question we should ask is: Why isn't Winchester making a rifle in this caliber? They annouced it will be available in 2003; and I don't know about the rest of you but I haven't seen one or heard of anybody who has one yet.

Anybody know when they will be out on the market? :?

Jim n Iowa · « **Reply #2 on:** July 30, 2003, 01:02:48 PM »

Dutch
The rifle is out and in some gun shops as we speak (type) Check gallery of guns for a winchester 94 and you will find dealer with a $$
Jim

Dutch4122 · « **Reply #3 on:** July 30, 2003, 01:08:13 PM »

Jim-

Thanks! I be sure to look for it. Been waiting impatiently for these 94's in .480 to hit the market.

Dutch4122 · « **Reply #4 on:** July 31, 2003, 02:39:09 PM »

Just to update. I checked Davidson's website today and the Winchester '94 in .480 Ruger is listed as "allocated." A local dealer who relies on Davidson's exclusively for distribution does not have them listed on their website. Looks like we'll all have to wait a little longer.

Paul H · « **Reply #5 on:** July 31, 2003, 03:34:21 PM »

I've shot alot of lead through a 7 1/2" SRH 480, so am quite familiar with what it can do in a handgun. I assume that a rifle will gain an honest 300 fps over the revolver. Using that as a basis, handloads will drive 325 gr bullets 1700-1800 fps, and 400 gr bullets 1500 fps. That means it basically falls 200-300 fps shy of a 45-70. Not to shabby considering it burns less then 1/2 the power a 45-70 does.

It's my hands down favorite revolver, and I'd love to have a companion lever gun.

Jim n Iowa · « **Reply #6 on:** August 01, 2003, 11:21:50 AM »

Paul
What is your est. of 480 knock down power compared to a 44mag?
Jim

Paul H · « **Reply #7 on:** August 01, 2003, 11:25:05 AM »

Considering the 480 will launch a 400 gr as fast as the 44 launches a 300 gr, and the .475" has 22% more frontal area then a .429" bore, I think the 480 is ~30% more gun then a 44.

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #8 on:** August 01, 2003, 11:39:27 AM »

got tired of waiting for the win so am having a marlin .475 built

Dutch4122 · « **Reply #9 on:** August 01, 2003, 01:51:03 PM »

Lloyd-

Is your Marlin .475 being built on a 336 action or the 1894 action?

TScottO · « **Reply #10 on:** August 04, 2003, 11:36:10 AM »

The Winchester 480 Ruger has been deleted off the line up. I called them today and they said the demand wasn't high enough to warant tooling for production of this gun. It's a shame, I sure had my hopes set on one.

Scott

Dutch4122 · « **Reply #11 on:** August 04, 2003, 03:59:46 PM »

That's interesting Scott. I seem to remember that last year about this time they made the same announcement. Then all of a sudden when Legacy Sports announced the Puma in .480 Winchester was suddenly back in the .480 game. Should be interesting to see what develops.

I can say this for certain; I prefer to buy American made, always. But, given that Winchester has possibly jerked us all around for 2 years in a row on the .480 and Legacy Sports has dealt with consumers truthfully in regards to this caliber, I may be looking at the Puma in the near future.

I guess time will tell. :roll:

RIFLE MAN · « **Reply #12 on:** August 04, 2003, 04:47:09 PM »

Matt,
I have a hunch that Puma is going to catch most of the manufacturers of lever action rifles with their pants down. They have already done so with the production of the .454 Casull, and now the .480 Ruger. It's not our fault if our American manufactures are too slow or indifferent to keep up with the game. I understand that the Puma "big bores" are actually fine rifles, quite accurate, and not really punishing on the shoulder. I am thinking seriously about both the .454 and .480 Pumas...SOON!

Kindest regards,
Rifle man

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #13 on:** August 04, 2003, 11:47:37 PM »

its on a 94. Ps like was said on the other post the pumas are nice guns for the money.

Dutch4122 · « **Reply #14 on:** August 05, 2003, 02:18:28 AM »

Ron-

I couldn't agree more. Especially when you consider the beating that Winchester is already getting from Marlin. You would think that they would play fairly and honestly with the Levergun buying public; especially those of us who buy more than just one lever action rifle in a lifetime. I checked Davidson's website again and the M-94's in .480 Ruger are all still listed as "allocated." According to Davidson's that means the demand was so high for these things that they made sure to allocate all of them to their best retailers. However, when I check the Winchester/USRAC site I see that they have pulled the item number off the site. Once again I guess we'll have to wait and see, but it sure doesn't look good.

Lloyd-

Seems I remember that Marlin had claimed that the .480/.475 wouldn't work on their 1894 frame. Sounds like the gunsmith is going to be doing a lot of modifications to the action of your 1894. Nice to hear that you have a gunsmith willing to tackle a tough job; most in my area won't even consider something as labor intensive.