Author Topic: .475 or .500 linebaugh for hunting..?? (Read 2325 times)

krems · « **on:** February 08, 2007, 04:33:00 PM »

For those who own both calibers which one is your favorite. Any particular reason.

I've owned a .500 linebaugh gun for many years and have been impressed by the performance at moderate velocities. I'm not quite man enough to shoot full house loads w/ the 450 gr bullets. I've never shot a .475 but I keep hearing all the great things about this caliber. I'm beginning to feel left out not owning one. What am I missing out on.

I reload / cast my own so obtaining components is no big deal for either caliber. Looking forward to hearing both the pro's and cons on either caliber.

Krems

MS Hitman · « **Reply #1 on:** February 08, 2007, 11:03:19 PM »

I can't say there are any cons to owning either or both calibers; I do. Time was the .500 was considered "sluggish" by some, but I can't agree with that line of thinking. Performance between the two is very close, with a slight penetration advantage maybe going to the .475 due to its higher bullet sectional density. However, the heavier bullets (500 grains) and the Belt Mountain Punch Bullets do increase the .500's penetration capabilities.

Both calibers have been used to take all sort of dangerous game, and have proven satisfactory for such hunting. On deer, there is no difference as we dont grow deer big enough around here to stop a bullet from either caliber.

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #2 on:** February 08, 2007, 11:35:45 PM »

I own both and have been shooting them for many years. I prefer the .500 but i couldnt say it any better then hitman

Quote from: MS Hitman on February 08, 2007, 11:03:19 PM

I can't say there are any cons to owning either or both calibers; I do. Time was the .500 was considered "sluggish" by some, but I can't agree with that line of thinking. Performance between the two is very close, with a slight penetration advantage maybe going to the .475 due to its higher bullet sectional density. However, the heavier bullets (500 grains) and the Belt Mountain Punch Bullets do increase the .500's penetration capabilities.

Both calibers have been used to take all sort of dangerous game, and have proven satisfactory for such hunting. On deer, there is no difference as we dont grow deer big enough around here to stop a bullet from either caliber.

475/480 · « **Reply #3 on:** February 09, 2007, 05:08:58 AM »

I would choose the caliber you like the most.
I like the 475 caliber (see name) so I first got a 480 Ruger then a FA 475 linebaugh then a 475 Maximum and just recently I got a Bowen SRH 500 Linebaugh that shoots great, all of them shoot good even the 480 Ruger.
Now-adays I practice with loads in the 1000-1100 range and the recoil is about the same for the 475L or 500L,so take a pick and enjoy.
I have shot game with the 475L and hope to get a pig this weekend with the 500 L(465gr K at 1050 fps),both will work great.

Sean

Ken ONeill · « **Reply #4 on:** February 09, 2007, 10:19:02 PM »

Krems,
The .500 Linebaugh, .500 JRH, and .500WE are all essentially clones of each other, from a performance standpoint. Most of my .50/.51 experience is with the .500WE, and I like it a lot. I also have a good deal of shooting and hunting experience with the .475 Linebaugh. I believe it can be made to shoot a little flatter, and penetrate a little deeper than those .50's because of the s.d. of similar weight bullets, but frankly, we're splitting hairs here, from a practical hunting perspective. As you point out, you're not using all the potential of your .500 Linebaugh as it is.
However, I think you've already made the most important statement: If you feel you're missing out on something, get a .475 Linebaugh...you won't be sorry.
You didn't ask, but I'd recommend a Field Grade FA with Micarta grips.

MS Hitman · « **Reply #5 on:** February 10, 2007, 03:39:17 AM »

Ken,

I like the way you think.

Rob

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #6 on:** February 10, 2007, 04:59:09 AM »

Quote from: krems on February 08, 2007, 04:33:00 PM

For those who own both calibers which one is your favorite. Any particular reason. I've owned a .500 linebaugh gun for many years and have been impressed by the performance at moderate velocities. I'm not quite man enough to shoot full house loads w/ the 450 gr bullets. I've never shot a .475 but I keep hearing all the great things about this caliber. I'm beginning to feel left out not owning one. What am I missing out on.

I reload / cast my own so obtaining components is no big deal for either caliber. Looking forward to hearing both the pro's and cons on either caliber.

Krems

Didn't anyone tell you, them guns are to big for hunting. LOL

JK

I think the .475 is very appealing.

Cheesehead · « **Reply #7 on:** February 10, 2007, 05:42:39 AM »

A 600 magnum shooting 1000 grain slugs would be a better choice. LOL

Cheese

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #8 on:** February 10, 2007, 06:06:17 AM »

Quote from: Cheesehead on February 10, 2007, 05:42:39 AM

A 600 magnum shooting 1000 grain slugs would be a better choice. LOL

Cheese

Come on Cheese, it was a joke.

Hell I don't think it would be fun shooting such a handgun.

I guess it does sound far fetched .

But I do like the idea of a 4 5/8 inch .475 Linebaugh. I have a 460 mag and 500 mag, the .475 Linebaugh would give my a nice gun to carry around in the bear woods.

Cheesehead · « **Reply #9 on:** February 10, 2007, 07:27:15 AM »

I did say "LOL".

I agree with the 4 5/8 in a larger caliber like 475 or 500 something.

Cheese

Dusty Miller · « **Reply #10 on:** February 10, 2007, 01:18:27 PM »

KREMS, what are you planning to hunt with such firearms? They're a bit heavy for squirrels and Alaskan brown bear have been taken with both a .44 mag. and .454 Casull. There's a shortage of Tyranosaurus Rex these days so them big boomers seem a tad overpowered for anything available on the N. American continent. That's just my take on it for what its worth.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #11 on:** February 10, 2007, 02:52:54 PM »

Quote from: Dusty Miller on February 10, 2007, 01:18:27 PM

KREMS, what are you planning to hunt with such firearms? They're a bit heavy for squirrels and Alaskan brown bear have been taken with both a .44 mag. and .454 Casull. There's a shortage of Tyranosaurus Rex these days so them big boomers seem a tad overpowered for anything available on the N. American continent. That's just my take on it for what its worth.

I would say, not worth much.

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #12 on:** February 11, 2007, 12:12:15 AM »

dust even elephant has been taken with 44 mags. Surely that doesnt mean that its an ideal gun for it. People shoot whitetail with .22lr and theres many elk hunters that swear by a .243 does that make it right? Ive shot game with many different handguns and have never once saw the reaction from a properly hit animal and said "wow im using to much gun" Ive seen elk walk away and keep eating after being shot by a .50 alaskan and buffalo do the same after a lung hit by a .500 linebaugh. YOu can go and hunt all the cape buffalo and brown bear you want with your .44 but me im going to take a little more gun along. To go another way ive killed a couple whitetail with the .500 linebaugh and have found you may loose maybe one more lb of meat then you do wiht a 45 colt or 44 mag and have also noticed using cast bullets (all i use) that bigger bullets usually mean less tracking. When you look at the balliistics of a big bore whether it be a smith 500 or a linebaugh 500 or 475 You are about achieving factory 4570 ballistics and theres a ton of whitetail and bear hunters that swear by the 4570. As a matter of fact id about guess there less powerful and do less meat damage to deer then your favorite deer rifle does and i dont think youd consider that a dinasour gun.
6

Quote from: Dusty Miller on February 10, 2007, 01:18:27 PM

KREMS, what are you planning to hunt with such firearms? They're a bit heavy for squirrels and Alaskan brown bear have been taken with both a .44 mag. and .454 Casull. There's a shortage of Tyranosaurus Rex these days so them big boomers seem a tad overpowered for anything available on the N. American continent. That's just my take on it for what its worth.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #13 on:** February 11, 2007, 01:26:32 AM »

Lloyd Smale, you have a way with words, I have to grin when I read some of your posts. Me I am to the point with a lot less sugar. Maybe that is why I an disliked so much. But that's OK, I like myself.

Great post by the way.

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #14 on:** February 11, 2007, 04:04:55 AM »

sometimes your way is about the only way to get a point accross. I sure get tired of all the people that think im some kind of mindless macho idiot just because i like big handguns. Ive probably got more smaller guns then most if not all of them and shoot them more then they shoot there one or two guns. The same guys are the ones i see at the range with there .44s and usually there the ones thinking there something special because there shooting a magnum! Im not some idiot that thinks i need a .500 to kill a deer or do it to impress the guys at camp. I KNOW what a .44 mag will do and have probably taken as much game with one as anyone here with the exception of a few guys. I shoot them because i enjoy it. I guess if i took up skiing i wouldnt stay on the bunny hill forever id eventually tune my skills to the point id want to try the baddest hill on the slope. Thats just he way I am. Now everyone else might not care to get to that point and thats fine for them but dont laugh at me because I do. Youll never change the way i feel. I like fast cars fast bikes fast snowmobiles fast women and fast guns. I was raised that way. If i would have wined because i felll off my dirt bike or wined because i got a booboo from a gun my old man would have rooted me in the ass!!! Some were rasied differently and you can blame them that there parents made them were knee pads and a helmet to ride a bicycle. Redhawk a .500 isnt for everyone and frankly im glad there not. If the demand was that high Ruger would make one and youd be able to get it for 500 bucks and id be kicking my self in the but for spending over 2 grand on mine!!

krems · « **Reply #15 on:** February 11, 2007, 04:22:01 AM »

I get the impression that when you are talking 475/500 ish class of hunting handguns that it really doesn't matter what you are shooting as they will all get the job done. I used to hear more talk about the 500 linebaugh, but now it seems like the 475 class is getting all the attention. I should have pointed out my main use for the gun is a back up during archery season. I like to hunt grizzzzzzley country for elk during September. I got bluff charged three years ago and about crapped my pants. I had pepper spray but wasn't feeling very safe with it. I didn't feel like I was on top of the food chain anymore. I have since carried the 500 linebaugh w/ me during archery season. I keep seeing pictures of Dustin Linebaughs bear taken w/ the 475 and have since wondered if I may be better served w/ the 475 over the 500. The only critters I'll be hunting with a handgun would be deer and elk. I think I'll stick / the 500 L for now until I have a chance of shooting a 475. I've been to the Freedom Arms factory in Wyoming and I may take a drive down there this spring. I might be fortunate enough to shoot one of their 475's so I could form an opinion.

Thanks for the advise!

Krems

MS Hitman · « **Reply #16 on:** February 11, 2007, 05:32:44 AM »

The opinion by several big bore shooters has been the .500 is the preferred bear gun over the .475. Most likely because it is the larger of the two "clubs". Both Seyfried and Taffin have both stated a preference when shooting game such as lions and big bears. The revovler you saw in Dustin's photos with his bear is his personal one that he has carried for awhile and is comfortable with. You should not feel undergunned with your .500 Linebaugh.

RANGER RICK · « **Reply #17 on:** February 18, 2007, 04:02:07 PM »

Quote from: Dusty Miller on February 10, 2007, 01:18:27 PM

KREMS, what are you planning to hunt with such firearms? They're a bit heavy for squirrels and Alaskan brown bear have been taken with both a .44 mag. and .454 Casull. There's a shortage of Tyranosaurus Rex these days so them big boomers seem a tad overpowered for anything available on the N. American continent. That's just my take on it for what its worth.

Did someone call my name

??

RR

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #18 on:** February 18, 2007, 04:15:13 PM »

Hay there Ranger Rick. What new? I will be getting ready to place an order with you soon. I need some of the T-Rex bullets.

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #19 on:** February 19, 2007, 12:27:56 AM »

I dont think theres an animal on earth that would no the differnce in which one was used on him.

Dusty Miller · « **Reply #20 on:** February 19, 2007, 07:07:35 AM »

I haven't checked the price of ammo or reloading supplies for the 475 but the 500 costs WAY more to reload than my 454. As much as I'd like to own a 500 that's one of things that makes me think I'll just stick with 45 caliber and smaller. Of course, I make my living packing ends in a can plant, some of you bluebloods (

) probably don't have to worry about that aspect!!

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #21 on:** February 19, 2007, 09:25:42 AM »

Dusty Miller, the cost to reload my 454 Casull's, 460 Mag and 500 Mags run about the same with cast bullets. Just a slight edge to the 500 Mag in cost, but not much at all.

redhawk500 · « **Reply #22 on:** February 25, 2007, 11:37:24 AM »

I looked at the 50-70 Government in Barnes Cartridges Of The World. It was our official military caliber post civil war, until the upstart .45-70 made its appearance. The nominal performance from a 30 inch barrel was a 435 grain bullet at 1250 fps. My 500 Linebaugh, at 5 1/2" of barrel, beats this by over 50 feet per second. General Custer used his custom rifle to take everthing in the west from birds to bison and beyond, maybe one grizzly, if I recall the article I read correctly. With those brass bullets from Punch Mountain, the .500 Linebaugh penetrates 50 inches of wet newprint. What more is needed? I like the fifty better because it's the punch line to the old joke: "Question: Why do you carry a .45? Answer: Because they don't make a 50!" Thanks to Linebaugh and others, we have several choices! I'd try the Super Redhawk .480 Ruger, if I didn't have a .500 Redhawk. I don't shoot the maximum loads much, mostly 420 grain bullet at 800 fps are enough for deer hunting and for me.

DakotaElkSlayer · « **Reply #23 on:** February 28, 2007, 05:05:32 PM »

Quote from: krems on February 11, 2007, 04:22:01 AM

I like to hunt grizzzzzzley country for elk during September. I got bluff charged three years ago and about crapped my pants. I had pepper spray but wasn't feeling very safe with it. I didn't feel like I was on top of the food chain anymore.

Krems, that is the excuse I gave the wife why I NEEDED a .475 Linebaugh! I also through in a line how it would be a better for elk than my SBHH in .45Colt! My latest excuse was I had to have a Walther P99 to defend myself against the crafty cougar. Hmmm....thinking of a .32H&R Mag to defend against feral chickens!

Jim