Author Topic: 44, 480, or 454 (Read 2002 times)

Encore454 · « **on:** June 03, 2003, 06:09:43 PM »

I am new to the forum today and see some already talking about items such as this...but I have a little different question.

I have a TC Encore with several barrels. My favorite is a 12in Bullberry in 308. Next would be my 12in Bullberry in 454. I am now ready to get a revolver. I have hunted with a Ruger Super Black Hawk with 10 1/2in BBL but thought it was just too long and sold it...BIG mistake!

I have narrowed my search down to either a Ruger SBH Hunter 44mag with 7 1/2in barrel or a Taurus Raging Bull in 480. I REALLY like the looks oif the Ruger 44mag Hunter but I also like what I have read about the 480. The only thing I see in the Taurus 480 that I don't like is the muzzle break. I had a 15in factory 308 TC Barrel with a break that was even loud with ear protection! Is the Taurus 480 with the break extremely loud compared to a 7 1/2in 44 without a break?

KN · « **Reply #1 on:** June 03, 2003, 08:15:53 PM »

It will be loud. Personally I would opt fpr the SBH hunter. KN

Hcliff · « **Reply #2 on:** June 04, 2003, 05:28:11 AM »

The 44 hunter is a great gun. The first decision you want to make is the cartridge you want. The 44 is a great round that lately has been over shadowed by some of the more powerful rounds. The 480 is a little more specialized you need to reload to get the most oput of this but it is powerful. In your heading it also said something about the 454 a great powefrul round too. I have been playing with the 480 round and it advantage it that it can take heavier bullets than the 44. If you want some chrono infor for the 480 I have some with 7 1/2" barrel

The Taurus is louder but it does decrease the recoil. It has less muzzle jump than the Hunter. The Hunter is a sleek sexy pistol, I love the grips.

Doesn't it drive you nuts that there is so many gun and so little time? :lol:

Hcliff

Del · « **Reply #3 on:** June 04, 2003, 05:36:37 AM »

Between the two that you've narrowed it down to, I'd vote for the Ruger SB Hunter! In my opinion it is better looking, a stronger gun, and it's easier to mount a scope on when/if you decide to do that. I don't know if you reload or not, it doesn't really matter, there is just so much more .44 caliber components and factory ammo out there available at basically any place that sells that stuff!

By the way I like your choice of Encore barrels, now you just need a smaller caliber for varmint/predator hunting (.223, .22-250, .243, etc.). :grin:

Have fun choosing your gun & good luck hunting!
Del

myronman3 · « **Reply #4 on:** June 04, 2003, 02:56:49 PM »

well i agree with almost everything everyone said except about the ruger being stronger than the taurus. no way, no how! i own a 454 r.b., a 44 blackhawk (10.5) and a sbh hunter. the hunter is my favorite. the 454 is a great novelty and fun to shoot, but in reality way more power than i will ever need. truth is i would have went with a 41 mag hunter but i have two other guns in 44 mag and dont want to buy yet another set of dies. so in short; the sbh hunter gets my vote also. :agree:

Encore454 · « **Reply #5 on:** June 04, 2003, 04:15:47 PM »

Thanks for all of the replies!

OK, I have decided on the Ruger Super Blackhawk Hunter. There are two styles available...Regular Super Blackhawk and the Super Blackhawk BISLEY Hunter. I like the looks of the Bisley grip and hammer but I have never shot one. How does it affect the kick? I will be shooting hot loads.

Graybeard · « **Reply #6 on:** June 04, 2003, 04:36:03 PM »

Boo! Hiss!

Bad decision.

Go with the RB .480.

Much better quality and far less felt recoil. What you must realize is that a revolver by nature of the cylinder/barrel gap is already going to be more noisy than a fixed barrel gun. BUT adding the brake on a revolver as with the RBs does not make any noticeable extra noise over a revolver without it.

Don't let these early guys who jumped in talk you out of getting the best choice gun.

GB

Encore454 · « **Reply #7 on:** June 04, 2003, 05:04:34 PM »

Graybeard...I just got off of the phone with my brother...He also says that I should get the 480. Now I'm really confused!

He does all of my reloading so the 480 will offer whatever load I want.

How are the triggers on the Raging Bulls? While shooting single action.

Graybeard · « **Reply #8 on:** June 05, 2003, 01:38:25 AM »

Unlike Ruger guns the Taurus guns come with an excellent trigger. You'll feel no need for an action job on it but will if you get the Ruger. Most break between 3 and 4 pounds with no creep or roughness. You'll love the RB I promise. Speer is now making a light bullet for the .480 that can be pushed really fast for thin skinned game. I think it is about 275 grains. So you can load bullets from 275 to about 460 grains in the .480 to suit your needs.

GB

Raging480 · « **Reply #9 on:** June 05, 2003, 03:56:02 AM »

My name says it all. The Taurus is a great gun.

jaycocreek · « **Reply #10 on:** June 05, 2003, 07:32:41 AM »

Since you already have a .454 T.C. I would go with the Raging .480.I have a R.B. in .454 and i love it.My wife and son shoot it and like it.I can only imagine how sweet the .480 would be to shoot.Good luck with your choice.

kciH · « **Reply #11 on:** June 05, 2003, 10:20:33 AM »

I have a Blackhawk hunter in .41Mag, even though I've only had it for about a month now I like it a great deal. Nice gun. That said, I would take the Raging Bull .480 over ANY Ruger, hands down. I've shot the .480 Raging Bull several times at our local indoor range. It is more pleasant to shoot than a 44 Blackhawk by a good margin(factory load to factory load comparison). The "different" looking grip on that Taurus is awesome, it eats recoil like nothing else. Trigger is very good for a stock gun and in need of no work to be a good shooter. I didn't bench test the gun, but the accuracy offhand was apparent at 25yds. 25yd slow fire pistol target, first cylinder all in the 10 ring. The sight on the Taurus are also better than the Ruger in my opinion.

Encore454 · « **Reply #12 on:** June 05, 2003, 01:24:26 PM »

OK, now where to buy...I have checked and my local shops do not have anything in stock. Have any of you had experiece purchasing from Auctionarms.com or any other type place on the web?

kciH · « **Reply #13 on:** June 05, 2003, 02:38:41 PM »

Your dealer should be able to order the gun in from a distributor and have it in less time that a GA deal would take. Your dealer should also give you a good price this way. It a in the door-out the door type of deal.

Encore454 · « **Reply #14 on:** June 05, 2003, 02:59:50 PM »

I had my brother check with the local dealer that he gets all of his stuff from. For the 8 3/8 RB in 480, he said $479+tax.

What about the Taurus scope rail...how is the fit/look?

myronman3 · « **Reply #15 on:** June 05, 2003, 03:05:49 PM »

well kcih, i have raging bull in perfect condition that i will trade in a heartbeat for that 41 magnum super blackhawk hunter. it is a 454 6.5 stainless matte finish and i will throw in all the brass, 250 pieces roughly (probably more), and a bianchi accumold holster, and all the components i have for it. and i will unconditionally guareentee the gun is the condition i described. even across the table for that sbh hunter in 41 mag. what say you?

Encore454 · « **Reply #16 on:** June 05, 2003, 03:24:02 PM »

myronman3...I am interested...PM me with how much...If you will take $ for trade.

kciH · « **Reply #17 on:** June 05, 2003, 03:45:55 PM »

myronman,
I don't want to get rid of my Hunter. It's a sweet revolver, except for the trigger. The advice I gave Encore454 was based on the fact that the .480 Raging Bull is a better, in my opinion, gun than the others he was considering. I think the .480 is probably the most versatile handgun round available. I know the 454 guys will be all over me for that, but it's just my opinion. I'm looking at getting a .480 RB with the 5" barrel, but I would like to shoot one first to see the difference between it and the 8" model I've shot.

Thanks for the offer, sounds like a very good deal to me.

myronman3 · « **Reply #18 on:** June 05, 2003, 05:09:17 PM »

first off, i really didnt expect you to take the trade; but i would have held up my end either way. but it does illustrate how folks feel about their blackhawk hunters. nothing against the bulls. mine is a sweet well built gun; i believe the finest d.a. made. also, apologies to everyone for using the forum to post an offer for a trade. hope it wasnt too far out of line.

kciH · « **Reply #19 on:** June 05, 2003, 05:51:45 PM »

Myronman,
One of the things that is working in favor of the Hunter for me is the accuracy it has displayed. I've got 4 other .41 Handguns, all accurate and enjoyable to shoot. 3 Blackhawks and a 657. I've never put a scope on any of them. I put the scope on my .41 Hunter and was shooting up some SAECO 415's I loaded just to empty the brass and see what the potential was. One ragged hole at 25yds and 1 1/2" for 6 shots at 50yds with a 2x scope. I'm pretty impressed with that. Next time out, I'll put the 4x on it and see what it does at 100yds. I've got some chrono data from testing the 5 different .41's with Lil'Gun and the 210gr XTP, as well as a couple loads using the SAECO 415 and 2400. If you're a 41 shooter, you might be interested to see it. It's in MS Excel format, so you'd need that program to veiw it, or download the Excel veiwer program from MS.

Encore454 · « **Reply #20 on:** June 06, 2003, 12:42:30 PM »

I ordered a RB 480 with 8 3/8 barrel today from a local dealer.

$480 out the door, shipping and tax included!

I cannot wait until next week, I have 40 rounds of Hornady 325 ready to go!

myronman3 · « **Reply #21 on:** June 06, 2003, 03:43:04 PM »

bad news-you chose not to get a sbh hunter. good news- you ARE getting one FINE revolver. either way you had a winner. enjoy it- i know you will!
kcih- not a 41 shooter- but my 44 hunter is the same way. nice. i have a nikon fixed 2x on mine. now only if they would pay attention to the trigger! nothing the local gunsmith cant fix. right now it is wearing a po'boys trigger job. pretty slick if i do say so myself. yet another thing i learned off of graybeard outdoors.

Encore454 · « **Reply #22 on:** June 06, 2003, 05:42:22 PM »

Now for the great news...I am saving for the 44 Super Blackhawk Hunter!

My local shop could not find one from his suppliers anyway.

I really prefer the look of the Ruger over the Taurus but I always have to try out the new thing. I have had 44's and have a 454 in an Encore so now I will have the 480. I think I will be very happy with my decision. My wife thinks they are all toys anyway.

myronman3 · « **Reply #23 on:** June 07, 2003, 02:04:35 AM »

well if that is the way she sees it, it should make it more fun when santa comes to visit!

fennell · « **Reply #24 on:** June 21, 2003, 06:26:18 PM »

You should go with the 480 by all means. it will have the recoil similar to the 44 mag and more versitle for very big game. You can load it down or up to what ever you want. My mother of 78 has one and loves hers and has dispatched several large hogs as well as deer with it. She says she cant see much difference in recoil between it and her 44 mag. However, there is a gteat deal of difference in the effect on the game when it is hit with it. The 480 dispatches game far quicker and leaves a beter blood trail than the 44 mag ( we have not had to blood trail any thing yet though). She has killed one bear with great results with it also. I can not really tell any difference between an animal hit with it and an animal hit with my 454 so far. Dead is dead. However, Her 480 has far less recoil and muzzle blast than my 454 does.

I hope this helps.

fennell

willis5 · « **Reply #25 on:** June 22, 2003, 11:06:52 AM »

I recommend getting the factory scope mount base. Mine is ROCK solid, and it looks really tough. You made a great choice!

kciH · « **Reply #26 on:** June 22, 2003, 11:12:57 AM »

Fennel,
I bet your mother doesn't get hassled much!

Has anyone had experience with the 5" or 6.5" barrel? I'm looking at the 5" for carrying purpose, probably a regular hip holster for comfortable carry. I have fired the 8.375" model at our indoor range enough times to have a decent supply of brass for reloading. They only charge $3 to rent the gun, buy you buy the ammo there for about $22/20, which isn't terribly bad from what I've seen when you take into account it's not through a discount internet supplier. I find the recoil of the 8.375" model to be far more pleasant than a .44 Bisquero in 5.5" form. The muzzle blast on the indoor range is RATHER impressive, but not that bad. I'm curious if the recoil, primarily barrel flip, is much more pronounced in the shorter barrels. I think the porting should keep it down and the weight is not that much different. Any info on this topic would be greatly appreciated.

Cabin4 · « **Reply #27 on:** June 22, 2003, 02:32:11 PM »

The Ruger 44mag SBH is on my "want" list. It is one of the best looking mass produced sa's on the market in my opinion. I have read a number of articals on these and can't find anyone will say anything bad about them.

If your sights are set on a good revolver for deer & hogs, go with the Ruger 44mag SBH.

If you are looking for the better big game killer, go with the 480. In my opinion, the 480 cartridge is the premier big game killer if your sights are set higher than med size game such as bears & elk. Again, this is just my opinion, I think the 480 is a better killer than 454.

Have fun