End of the super big bore revolvers?

[Axehandle]

No doubt we big bore shooters are a much smaller group than we like to think...  Our few dollars just won't pay the bills... The pitiful attempts of the manufactures to produce production big bores have some bright spots but.... 
Luckily we have available to us have the finest set of custom pistol builders that have ever walked the earth...

[SonnyDaze]

The big bores sold initially because they were something new and cheap enough to buy. However, you can't use the darned things in most indoor ranges. Most ranges allow through .44 mag and .45 Colt and nothing more powerful. I have to shoot my .500 on the rifle range and that costs much more per hour.

[rawhidekid]

That is so true.  At the indoor range in Tucson, Az that that I worked at, th S&W Rep came by with a Rifle case full of new models to try.  When he was told the range could not handle the .500 S&W he said not to worry as he had half power loads.  The back stops are 1/4 inch angled steel, the half powered loads left .500 divets in the back stop!   

[Tonk]

Chris .D, I think it is because most people going out to purchase a handgun since the NOV election, are doing so as a "self-defense" or "house-gun" sort of reason. Not to many out there going after just hunting handguns.

Now just take a hard look at the Black Rifle sales, those rifles sold for half that 2 years ago. Today gundealer orders are coming into factory's faster than hot cakes cooking on a grill. I once thought about trading in my model 29 Smith & Wesson on a .500 S&W but I simply kept that .44mag pistol after seeing the recoil the 500 had on a persons hand, arm etc. I did purchase a .460 Smith & Wesson later down (I got the itch) the road but I sure don't push for velocity over 1700fps with a 240 grn bullet. My hand does not like heavy recoil!

[rogertc1]

I have a Alaskan and M500 4". Love the boys!!

[sixshot]

  I'm with Old Grizz, I'd love to see a single action Ruger in 480, especially in a Bisley, that would be the rasberries!! I have one in the SRH & its a great shooter with my 370 gr. cast slugs, just long for one in a single action, come on Ruger!

Took this bull moose 4 years ago with my 480, 45 yds off hand, the 370 gr slug was a softnose cast, complete penetration, one shot.



Dick

[rogertc1]

Here are my big bores. a .454 and a 500. The best of the best

[45454]

  I'm with Old Grizz, I'd love to see a single action Ruger in 480, especially in a Bisley, that would be the rasberries!! I have one in the SRH & its a great shooter with my 370 gr. cast slugs, just long for one in a single action, come on Ruger!

Took this bull moose 4 years ago with my 480, 45 yds off hand, the 370 gr slug was a softnose cast, complete penetration, one shot.



Dick

Hi Sixshot ! 
You've got a good moose.Good going.
And,......a WELCOME to you !
Yeah,I know you registered in 2007....
Glad you are posting here also.
You keep coming up with all of your hunting adventures.
Read every one.The pics are really good too.
Should write a book.Just a thought...."Sixshot's Hunting Adventures".
You have a good weekend pard !

[Tonk]

I must agree with SIX-SHOT!!! I would love to see Ruger do the .480 in a single action pistol too. I do love that .475 caliber, got a big bore in one and use those Hornady bullets a lot.

[S.B.]

I aquired a S&W John Ross custom 500 recently and have shot it some but, have you seen the price of ammo for this thing? I'll buy brass and a bullet mold(currently have a Mountain Mold on order) before I buy too much more factory ammo.
Steve

[henryb]

I aquired a S&W John Ross custom 500 recently and have shot it some but, have you seen the price of ammo for this thing? I'll buy brass and a bullet mold(currently have a Mountain Mold on order) before I buy too much more factory ammo.
Steve

I have a John Ross 500 also and love it.  The gun really hit's its high note with handloaded bullets.  It is designed for heavier than factory bullets and is scary accurate.  I shoot 440's for fun and hunting.  I have shot up to 700 grain bullets which werent even fun but they were also very accurate.

[S.B.]

henryb, thanks for your reply. I needed that! Still collecting supplies to reload but, am going to get started, soon. Please, stay in touch?
Steve

[Redhawk1]

S.B. I am a 500 Mag nut. Have been shooting mine since 2002, when I first got my BFR in 500 Mag, followed by 4 of the S&W 500 Mags.  I still have my BFR and a 4 inch 500 Mag.

If you want some reloading data, I have an Excel program full of loads from 275 gr. bullets to 700 gr. RR bullets.

Also I am in the boat of people that would love to see Ruger come out with a 5 shot 480 Ruger in a Blackhawk Bisley. I doubt they, will do it, it is there loss.  I had a custom made by Gary Reeder in a 475 Linebaugh from a Super Blackhawk and it has the Bisley style grip. I love the gun.

Just sent Gary Reeder my stainless Blackhawk in 45 Colt to make it into a custom 5 shot 6 inch barrel and Bisley grip and Mongolian Stag grips, still going to be a 45 Colt though. My next custom from Gary Reeder may be a Blackhawk in a 480 Ruger 5 shot. 

[Lloyd Smale]

its a dirty crime if the 480 fades into the past. Its probably the most ballanced handgun round ever. Lots of power with exceptable recoil. Im probably as guilty as the next if it does fade. Ive never boughten a 480. There just not chambered in any gun i like. Now if ruger would make a single action in it id probably buy two of them. Ive shot a bunch of them in my 475s but kind of gave up on it as its easier to just load 475 brass down a bit. Ive considered having a 480 cylinder made for my FA 475 or having John make one for my linebaugh gun but two cylinder guns dont really get it for me. Its like buying uppers for an ar. Id rather have the entire gun. As to the other big bores i wont comment on the smiths but i know that John and dustin have backlogs of over 2 years on there 475 and 500s so there sure not dying anytime soon. Maybe its as it should be. If ruger chambered a 480 or better yet the 475 and 500 it would put them in a price range that non serious shooters and ego shooters could buy them easily and we would have a thousand internet experts spouting there useless advice about them.

[S.B.]

Alex, thanks for your offer. I'm slowly getting started with the 500 and being on a fixed income, now, better take it nice and easy? I appreciate your offering your help with this project. I put more faith into what you and Lloyd say than most? I enjoy reading both of your posts and look forward to them in the future. Next to positive, I'm going to have to invest in a new bullet furnace, soon?
Steve

P.S. I'm another shooter who has never owned a .480 but, would love to? Hope it's around for a long time?

[Dill45]

     I doubt there will be an end to the big bore revolvers.  They seem to be too...iconic?  I own a S&W 500, and my father owns a 460, and we both really enjoy shooting them.  They great fun, and are always great for friends to try out and see what a large bore revolver can do and whether you like it or not, they draw crowds at ranges.

     The down side for me is the cost of shooting them.  I reload, but the components are still more expensive than say a 9mm, or a 44 mag, or 357/38.  I would shoot the big cannons much more often, if my wallet would allow for it!

[Redhawk1]

Big bore handgun are here to stay...

[Terbltim]

    The company we all knew as Ruger has been replaced by a bunch of sycophantic thumb sucking morons who want to ignore the company's reputation for independence and innovation and jump on the bandwagon to crank out cheap plastic toys for weekend commandos.

Ay-Men!
You nailed Ruger's hide to the wall with that remark.
They just make and sell the best "platform" from which to build a nice big-bore revolver.
They've gone downhill fast since ol' Bill died, (God rest him.)
I  can't figure out why Ruger never offered the RSR in a "utility length" barrel. That is what the RSR reeeally needs. Something like 5" to 6" would make that gun balance nicely. I have [and hate] the 7.5" and think of it as "clumsy at best". I shoot it all the time.
Everyone that ever shoots it asks if they make one with about a 5" barrel?
Sadly, all I can say is "no."
When asked "why not", all I can offer is that Ruger just doesn't care what the shooting public thinks, likes or wants.

[SHOOTALL]

My 5.5 inch Redhawk blances well