Author Topic: .454 vs .480 (Read 1502 times)

Paul H · « **on:** February 19, 2003, 01:51:02 PM »

Interesting question. I'm a huge 480 fan, in a revolver, but, in an encore, seems like the 454 would be the way to go.

The reason I don't much care for the 454 in a revovler is, you just don't need all the speed for revolver ranges, and the 480 is much more pleasant to shoot.

But, in the encore, topped with a scope, you can take advantage of the 1700-2000 fps muzzle velocity.

Then again, with a 480, you could use Lil gun and sub 400 gr bullets for 1600 fps, or more, and you'd make bigger holes. Then again, might as well go with the 475 Linebaugh, and leave the 454 in the dust

helobill · « **Reply #1 on:** February 19, 2003, 03:18:40 PM »

Paul H,
Ain't it great to have those kind of choices?

Lots of new rounds being developed out there. You hear folks saying that a 22 short can kill a buffalo (if you hold it about 4" from his eyeball at exactly the proper angle...that's the part they don't say). The 480 is creeping up on the 454 for ballistic performance as the newer rounds come out. BUT you're talking a 10" tube that you have to subtract the length of the cartidge from...I'd take the 454 over the 480 (can't believe I said that 'cause I don't like the 454 in general, but I've only ever shot it in a wheel gun). But I think I'd consider other rounds out there before I went big game hunting with it.
Helicopter Bill

BeverlyHillbilly · « **Reply #2 on:** February 19, 2003, 05:50:02 PM »

Quote from: cknight98

ok guys....

in a 10" Encore barrel with no purpose in mind at all except big game hunting in general, which would you pick....454 or 480?

I have both of them along with a 44 Magnum in 10" lengths. They were special run barrels on MidwayUSA at different points in time. I think that T/C also offers them in 12" length as the standard from the factory, but I prefer the 10" for balance/weight for me. To me, the decision would be hard to pick one over the other. I shoot the 454 a whole lot more because of the availability/expense of brass, bullet selection, and the ability to shoot 45 Colt loads. If brass was more readily available for the 480, I would choose it over the 454. Given time, the 480 should gain more popularity and components easier to find. The 480 also seems to kick less to me, more of a push rather than the snap the 454 has.

Last year I shot into some old Sycamore stumps left from a flooded creek. This medium would stop the 480 bullets, but when I shot the 454, the first bullet went right through and pretty much pulverized a very large sandstone rock in the bank behind it. I shot into a different location, and same result, right on through. The 454 was shooting 300 grain XTP bullets and the 480 was shooting the 325 grain XTP. If I recall I used H110 or LilGun in those loads. I have a box of the 400 grain XTP and 400 grain Speer Gold Dot bullets ready for the next outing with the 480. That is going to be some kind of fun. :grin:

I had a hard time choosing between them and that is how I ended up with two barrels. If I had to pick only one at this moment, it would be the 454. Having both is more fun. :grin:

Graybeard · « **Reply #3 on:** February 20, 2003, 07:05:03 AM »

It will Chris if the comparison is apples to apples rather than apples to oranges. Put some 430 grain or heaiver cast bullets in that .480 and it will penetrate almost forever. The 325 grain bullets are just way to short, fat and light for the caliber and thus won't penetrate much. But as soft as the XTPs are I'm surprised it did so well in the .454 Casull.

GB

Paul H · « **Reply #4 on:** February 20, 2003, 09:44:16 AM »

Not an issue for me as I only shoot handloads, but my only complaint about the 480 is that it wasn't introduced with a 400 gr hardcast @ 1200 fps factory load. Other then for target loads, using 300-325 gr bullets in the 480 totally misses the point of what the round offers.

As was mentioned, the 480 has noteably less recoil then the 454, and for a very good reason, it burns much less powder! The 480 burns roughly 20 gr H110 for top loads with heavier bullets, whereas the 454 burns about 30 grs.

As far as penetration, my 460 gr WFN bullet @ 1100 fps from a 480 was tested at last summers Linebaugh seminar. Penetration was on par with the heavy 45 colt, 454, 475 and 500 Linebaughs.

BeverlyHillbilly · « **Reply #5 on:** February 20, 2003, 11:28:36 AM »

That 325 grain XTP may be the problem with the penetration with the 480 and might have broken up or deviated. I like GB's idea on the cast bullets, that may just be the ticket for me.

I took a deer with each of them and both did about the same amount of damage to the meat. It would be hard to compare the penetration since the 454 was a clean side shot and the 480 went in the side and exited the chest because the angle was different. Both bullets maintained a straight path right on through and didn't curve and deflect like some of my 257 Roberts shots do (and tear up things more). I still use my 44 and 41 magnums more for deer hunting than the 454 and 480, but that is more due to me using my trusty old Contender more often since the Encore is usually setup as a rifle most of the time.

Has anybody tried the 400 grain XTP or 400 grain Gold Dot? I picked them up from Midway but haven't loaded or shot them yet. Just curious as to the performance that people have received with them. The sure are intimidating looking, kind of like a 480 sledgehammer.

Paul H · « **Reply #6 on:** February 20, 2003, 01:02:47 PM »

I haven't soiled my barrel with any jacketed bullets

so can't comment on the XTP or gold dot.

Here is a picture taken of the 460 gr WFN tested by Cannon Watts at last years Linebaugh seminar.

The bullet on the left traveled through 38" of newsprint. The bullet on the right went through 2-3" bone, then ~10" newsprint. Bullets were cast of wheelweights and water dropped to harden them.