Author Topic: .454 Alaskan (Read 1927 times)

Dakota30.06 · « **on:** February 14, 2010, 03:05:56 PM »

I've been playing around with the idea of picking up .454 Super Redhawk Alaskan. I have no intent of defending myself from grizzlies...I just think it'd be "fun" to shoot.

Anyone have one of these? How's the accuracy out of a snub nose .454

How does it shoot the .45 LC? I doubt you'd want to shoot 100 rounds a day...but how's the recoil? managable?

Any input would be appreciated!

Thanks !

cwlongshot · « **Reply #1 on:** February 14, 2010, 03:14:02 PM »

It's the one I would buy if I was going to rely on a handgun! I prefer a short barreled, 12ga pump myself...

CW

buffalo · « **Reply #2 on:** February 14, 2010, 03:28:48 PM »

I had one.Just recently sold it to get a S&W 460v. It was pretty accurate at 25 yards.I shot really HOT 45 Colt.It handled them very well. The 454 is a beast no way getting around that.Need to hold real tight when you touch off those 454's.It was a nice gun and I think you'd like one.At 15' I got so I could hit a man sized silhouette with a full cylinder in double action.Thats good enough for me with the 454!

Dakota30.06 · « **Reply #3 on:** February 15, 2010, 03:31:05 PM »

cwlongshot, I've already got the short barreled 12 ga pump

cwlongshot · « **Reply #4 on:** February 15, 2010, 03:34:12 PM »

Quote from: Dakota30.06 link=topic=199769.msg 1099029041#msg 1099029041 date=1266287465

cwlongshot, I've already got the short barreled 12 ga pump

Then your all set!!! Go get the 454 for S&G and don't worry about anything else!! Just have fun with it!!

CW

brizbane · « **Reply #5 on:** February 19, 2010, 05:27:07 PM »

A couple of months ago I too was interested in the same thing and was advised to contact WILD WEST GUNS in Alaska. They just happened to have a used Alaskan .454 that they had modified to shoot moonclip .45ACP. They also did an action job on it and it is very smooth. Give them a call, you might luck out like I did.

Graybeard · « **Reply #6 on:** February 20, 2010, 03:00:43 AM »

I'm not sure how you define fun but as defined by most folks I don't think that gun fits the definition. Most folks I know say the .44 magnum SRH has as much recoil as the RB454 or RB480. I've shot them and have to agree as a long barrel in .44 magnum the recoil is as much as either of my RBs in .454 and .480.

So chop the barrel to nearly nothing and chamber it to .454 and all I can say is hang on for the ride cuz it's gonna get bumpy. Your definition of fun and mine clearly don't share much in common.

kynardsj · « **Reply #7 on:** February 20, 2010, 04:08:23 AM »

I'm kinda like Bill on this one. Your definition of fun is different from mine and touching off a 2 inch 454 Casull doesn't sound like fun to me unless it was keeping something from making me it's dinner. Still it wouldn't be fun, just necessary.

cwlongshot · « **Reply #8 on:** February 20, 2010, 07:02:19 AM »

Recoils is VERY subjective. Some hate it some love it and others don't care because it doesnt really "hurt" you. I fit the latter category.

Now a handguns recoil is much different then a rifles. I have shot some very large rifle calibers like the big African stuff along with the big Weatherbys. Some of these are not :fun" to shoot. But hand guns are not an issue....

To each his own, remember this is what makes the world go round!!

CW

S.E.Ak · « **Reply #9 on:** February 20, 2010, 04:05:32 PM »

I like the one I have and shoot 45colt ten to one with the 454.. Also there are 454 rounds and then there are 454 rounds. The 260gr Winchester is nothing compared to some of the 400+ gr loads out there for bear protection.

brizbane · « **Reply #10 on:** February 20, 2010, 04:12:33 PM »

cwlongshot, I'm with you on this one....... but I have to admit that I haven't yet had a chance to shoot my Alaskan. I just picked up 300 rounds of Freedom Arms 260 and 300gr .454 ammo a few days ago so I am looking forward to some "fun". Does anybody know how these two .454 configurations rate as far as recoil?

45-70.gov · « **Reply #11 on:** February 20, 2010, 04:23:35 PM »

i have the 500 snw
and it kicks a lot

ever since i got it
non of my other guns kick.....44 mag is now a baby

shoot the 454 for fun and to ''harden'' your self
if you get good with the 454 all the better
if not

then enjoy those baby 45lc

one gun does it all

biganimal · « **Reply #12 on:** April 04, 2010, 05:13:33 AM »

I have a super redhawk in 454 and love it
but since owning it my 44mag super blackhawk has become a "one hander"

kynardsj · « **Reply #13 on:** April 04, 2010, 08:12:13 AM »

Like 45-70.gov I also have a S&W 500 magnum. There are fun loads for it and then there are OMG loads. After holding and shooting this big pistol all my others seem like toys. I may still one day get a Super Redhawk in 454 Casull as a companion to my 454 Puma rifle. I have been shooting the 500 and my 45 LC Blackhawk a lot lately. Just for kicks the other day I picked up my Single Six and shot it. I actually thought it misfired as I was waiting for the recoil till I remembered I was shooting a 22.

Sourdough · « **Reply #14 on:** April 24, 2010, 08:28:32 AM »

I do live in Grizzly country and do have to defend myself against big bears, so I do carry a big pistol, and follow-up shots are important.

Had a Raging Bull in 454 and did not like it, so was looking to replace it.

Looked at the Ruger short barrel 454 Alaskan. Was ready to buy it when the guy behind the counter advised me to go meet his friend at the range and shoot one. Went to the range with his friend and shot hot .45LCs, and 15 rounds of .454. Massive recoil, but the shock wave that hit me, the shooter, was also massive.

Decided it was not what I was looking for since follow-up shots would be hard to keep on target, due to the recoil. Ended up getting a .460 Smith & Wesson. Half the recoil, bigger cartridge, higher ballistics, but it has a brake. Lots more noise than the Raging Bull, but no more than the Ruger. I will never shoot this gun without hearing protection. When I put the .460 on, I also put my amplifying headphones on, and keep them on.

kynardsj · « **Reply #15 on:** April 24, 2010, 09:51:11 AM »

Sourdough I agree completely on the hearing protection. Only wore it before when I was target shooting. Since owning a S&W 500 and a 13 inch 460 Encore, both with brakes, I take a pair of ear plugs with me hunting to slip in before I get ready to take a shot. I shot the Encore the other day with a 45 LC in it with only 9 grains of Unique. It felt like a 22 but really rang my ears. Didn't take me but one time to learn.

v-man · « **Reply #16 on:** April 24, 2010, 10:51:14 AM »

I'll just add my 2 cents cause I love my Alaskan .454. I don't mind handgun recoil cause it doesn't actually hurts. Let it jump and don't worry about it. With it's weight, the Alaskan is a joy to "plink" with using even hot handloaded .45LC. For hunting the NE FL swamps, I've posted before about my 405 grain hog loads that top 1000fps. The gun is a little stout for concealed carry though.

Dand · « **Reply #17 on:** April 24, 2010, 07:43:10 PM »

How much of a fireball comes out of the Alaskan when touching off a 454 load? First time I saw one of those guns I figured if the bullet didn't hit target maybe the flash would blind, scare or burn the the bear.

All that powder and so little barrel. I think a lot are carried up here in AK. Its a nice affordable package compared to a Freedom gun.

Ak.Hiker · « **Reply #18 on:** April 24, 2010, 07:58:10 PM »

Quote from: brizbane on February 20, 2010, 04:12:33 PM

cwlongshot, I'm with you on this one....... but I have to admit that I haven't yet had a chance to shoot my Alaskan. I just picked up 300 rounds of Freedom Arms 260 and 300gr .454 ammo a few days ago so I am looking forward to some "fun". Does anybody know how these two .454 configurations rate as far as recoil?

I think you will find that they are both full power loads. The Winchester 300 grain JFP is the same as the 300 grain Freedom Arms load. I really like the tough jacketed bullet that they load. It really holds together and penetrates deep.

Ak.Hiker · « **Reply #19 on:** April 24, 2010, 08:03:40 PM »

When I first got my Ruger 454 I kind of enjoyed the recoil. But for any extended shooting and for fun it really needs to be down loaded. A real nice balance between power and enjoyment for me is running the 300 grain bullet about the same as the CorBon +P 45 Colt load. A 300 grain bullet at 1300 fps is plenty for my tastes. I have found that the Sierra 300 grain JSP is a real good bullet for the 454.

woods · « **Reply #20 on:** April 26, 2010, 06:01:22 PM »

I have an alaskan in 44 mag best play toy I own I bought a 355 gr lead bullet mold for it. If you like recoil like I do it is one fun gun to shoot. I run trail boss 44 mag loads with a 200 gr bullet at about 800 fps then after practice session is over I run a couple full power 44 loads of 355 gr bullets just to rember what real recoil is. I would like to croney these loads to find out the velocity one of these days. Its just such a handfull after practicing with the light stuff. I'm a hand gun recoil junkie for the little bundle of joy. Alot of my friends chuckle at me for this little play toy but I love it. I'll wear this handgun out before I part with it I've never shot larger calibers above 44 its just not cost efective for me so I like my 44's. I am sure the 454 would be just as fun. just rember to practice alot with the 45 colts to learn the feal and natural roll of the handgun. I would love to try hog hunting with my 44 alaskan someday but for now I will keep hammering the 6" swinger at 25 yrds. I've owned this handgun for 2 years and would say I've run about 3000 rounds though it with the light load its adictive.

woods
'

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #21 on:** May 09, 2010, 08:32:46 PM »

I have a 454 Casull Alaskan, and I have a 4 inch 500 Mag. Love them both..

His lordship. · « **Reply #22 on:** May 15, 2010, 09:28:56 AM »

I sat next to a guy shooting a Smith & W. in .480 recently at the gun range, the gun had an enormous flash near the cylinder gap/barrel and the heat from the fired round would cover my upper body. It was an interesting experience with a super magnum revolver.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #23 on:** May 16, 2010, 02:42:19 AM »

Quote from: Chris D. on May 15, 2010, 09:28:56 AM

I sat next to a guy shooting a Smith & W. in .480 recently at the gun range, the gun had an enormous flash near the cylinder gap/barrel and the heat from the fired round would cover my upper body. It was an interesting experience with a super magnum revolver.

Did you mean the S&W 460 Mag.. S&W does not make a 480.

picturerock · « **Reply #24 on:** June 29, 2010, 05:55:14 PM »

I have shot the 454 for years, although out of a Freedom Arms model 84. It is an accurate round, and very useful for hunting with the right bullet. And you can't beat the price on a Ruger. There is naturally recoil, but I just quit shooting it when it gets tiring and while I'm still having fun. And it is fun, no doubt. I say get it and enjoy.

mrussel · « **Reply #25 on:** July 05, 2010, 06:18:30 PM »

Quote from: Dakota30.06 on February 14, 2010, 03:05:56 PM

I have no intent of defending myself from grizzlies...

Violence only begets violence and all,right.

" Cant we all just be friends out here enjoying natur....arrrrrggggggggg!!!!!!!"