Fired my new .454 SRH yesterday

[jlbeebe]

I finally got a chance to take my new SRH to the range yesterday and all I can say is WOW!!! That thing is a real handfull. I think I will load up some mild loads in order to get used to this thing.

[swampthing]

Nothing wrong with that. I like heavier bullets going slow to reduce recoil. 300-320g @1100fps are good for this continent.
Check out Houge @ www.getgrip.  The hardwood grips have material under the trigger guard. That stops your middle finger from getting bashed under recoil. Looks great too. 

[Hairtrigger]

I shoot quite a few 45c loads in my 454 throughout the year. As deer season approaches I switch to my 454 hunting loads

[Ak.Hiker]

I have found the 300 grain Sierra is a good bullet to load in the 454. Check out the loads that run about like a stout 45 Colt +P loading. I have one that I enjoy that runs about 1350 or so. You know you are shooting a powerful load but not to hard on the wrist. The full power 300 grain loads at 1600 are a handful. The 300 grain Sierra is a tough bullet.

[jlbeebe]

I agree with you guys. I'm going to load a 300 xtp to about 1200 fps.

[Catfish]

You can tame it down a bunch by putting a scope on it. The extra weight makes a big difference in recoil, it also make it harder to find you target.

[WNY_Whitetailer]

How's that 454 blaster shooting for ya, jlbeebe?  Been looking at one for a future purchase for myself...That may be the gun that I send to Magnaport to have them perform their magic on it...

[jlbeebe]

Shot a doe this year with factory magtech loads. Definetly overkill for whitetails but once I have enough brass I will load up some mid level loads to hunt and target practice with. When I bought this thing I knew that I didn't need a handgun this powerful but I can load my own and if in the future I hunt anything bigger than whitetails I will plenty of gun for the job. So all in all I would have to say I am happy with my shr.

[WNY_Whitetailer]

Congrats...Now that Ruger has returned the 480 to it's lineup, I am not sure if I would purchase a 454 or a 480...Only time will tell. 

[kennisondan]

Hi : youhave yourself a great gun and bullet combo, and it wil do anything you want it to do.. when I got mine, I just shot a few times, very cuatiously each time out and took a break between strings of fire, got a glove on, pleanty of hearing protection, and mentally prepared to practice the right way... got to some lower powered loads as well when I feared not having enough shooting time to please my accuracy requirements.. with the 475 now, I went straight to lighter loads, and am really pleased with what they will do ... ahve shot the full power loads and they are also a handfull.. I would just shoot a lighter load in it for now, and you may find that you do not need to go up to anything else unless you just want to shoot farther and can do so ... or you get the chance for big big stuff to shoot.
good luck with your fine purchase...
whatever you do.. avoid getting discouraged.. and avoid a nasty flinch.. the reduced loads with the ability to shoot a cannon load is a great way to go.. if I had one gun I would have a big bore and load it down and load it up when I decided I could or needed to but would not shoot it full power very often for the first couple of years.. unless I took the time to do it like the first 454 I got after shooting 44 for six or eight years first.... five slow shots, stop ... five more stop.... five more stop... lots of concentration is important, and think through the shot in your mind : see yourself shooting the gun and the recoil being no problem ...
works for me most of the time..
dk

[varmitbob]

I have had my 454 for awhile now, but I do remember the adjustment the first couple times out.  After a few times you get used to it, and it is not bad at all.  After you put some rounds through it you will learn to absorb the recoil, and it won't be an issue anymore.  Once you learn to be firm but relaxed the recoil issue goes away.  I think the biggest issue is that the first time you are out you are tense and overkill the grip, stance, etc.
I shoot 240 gr XTP Mags for Deer, and 335 Hardcast for tougher game.  I load them so they have the same point of impact.  My 120lb 15 year old daughter can shoot the 240 gr bullets all day long.  The 335 gr loads are manageable, but not an all day shooter for her.