Author Topic: First Post, Question on first choice for encore big bore (Read 498 times)

LFaler · « **on:** May 09, 2005, 09:09:40 AM »

Hi all,

Long time lurker, first time poster. Looking to get my first encore pistol barrel and looking for opinions. I know that something like a 308 or similar would be more practical, but I like throwing hubcap size lead at game.....that and the gee-whiz factor I guess of larger caliber handguns.

Question is this...where would be a good starting point recoil wise? I currently shoot a .454 in an 8 inch Taurus RGB which makes a lot of noise, but the recoil isn't bad at all...just a shove. Hell, I have a lightweight .38 chief special that has more uncomfortable recoil... I have shot a Wildwestguns 454 short barrel without a muzzle break that I would consider very uncomfortable to shoot however. I think that in part it was due to a very sharp trigger edge as well as a grip that was a bit too small for my hands...the kick wasn't so bad, but the trigger shaving hide off my shooting hand was a bit more than I cared for.

I was considering starting out with a 500 s&w barrel for the encore , but the ssk 50 Alaskan 750 looks rather intriguing. Unfortunately I have no reference point to compare since I have not shot anything bigger than a 454 and most of the people in south Mississippi hunt deer at short ranges with stuff like the 300 Ultramag, so no opportunity to borrow one to shoot.

So.......for those of you who have shot both or own both, should I start out with something with 'less recoil' like a 500 SW or do you find the 50 alaskan with a compensator to be fairly tolerable. I am also open to other opinions/calibers/cartidges etc.

Hunt mostly whitetail and hogs, but would like something I could take a to alaska when I go back to punch large holes in large critters with.

THanks in advance

Lance Faler
Hattiesburg, Mississippi

fyrepowrx · « **Reply #1 on:** May 09, 2005, 10:40:05 AM »

Lance;

welcome to the forum..

i like launching big projectiles too, so i know what you mean...have to say, that having had a pretty good assortment of barrels over the years, that it i would tend to favor either a 45/70 or .450 Marlin in the encore...my reason for choosing it over the various .50's is the availability of a wider range of bullet weights / bullet constructions.. you can ever get spitzers in the .458 caliber, if you plan on extending your range some...plus, from a penetration standpoint the sectional density of a 300 grain .45 is going to better than that of a .50 caliber bullet of similar weight. So, unless you want a .50 with a quick quick twist to shoot BMG bullets for fun, i would pick, in order of preference 1) .450 marlin 2) 45/70, 3) 460 S&W, so you could also "plink" with .454 Casulls &/or .45 LC if you got the .460 barrel.

i dont think you could go wrong with any of those. Good shooting!

LFaler · « **Reply #2 on:** May 10, 2005, 07:08:51 AM »

fyrepowrx,

A couple of follow-up questions if you don't mind. First, other than cost of ammunition and availability is there any advantage of 45/70 over 450 or vice versa when we're talking about shooting out of a 'relatively' short barrel? Also, what, given those cartridges and recoil, is there a minimum length of barrel I should consider? I have seen a couple of 12 inch barrels for the 450, but was considering getting a longer bull barrel and having it cut to 14 inches then having possibly a fishgill arrestor put on.

Thanks again

fyrepowrx · « **Reply #3 on:** May 10, 2005, 01:06:33 PM »

not sure what happened here..double posted maybe? see below..

fyrepowrx · « **Reply #4 on:** May 10, 2005, 01:29:41 PM »

Naturally, since its a hundred years older, you will find more variety of factory loads for the 45-70 than the .450..there are a lot more 45-70's out there, which means more ammo sales. more gushops stocking the ammo, etc... Do you load your own ammo? If so, i personally would not be quite as concerned as to the availability of factory loads. About half of the barrels i own are chambered in wildcats anyway.

In a short barrel or a long one, the .450 is still going to beat out the 45/70. It is loaded to higher chamber pressure, so it is going to produce more velocity in most barrels, and also more muzzle blast, recoil, etc. As to how much more...i doubt you would notice the difference when shooting at game.. i have a 5 1/2 pound .350 magnum from the Remington Custom shop that is a terror off the bench, but i dont remember the recoil when hunting with it!

With light bullets , i doubt the difference would be a great one, with heavier bullets the .450 may have a bit more of an edge... If i remember correctly, i read an article a long time ago about the original testing of the 45/70 back a century ago when the military used it, and it involved shooting through somthing like 15 1" thick pine boards at 500 yards! In my Ruger #1 45-70, i load it up stout, and them big bullets work! I have only killed 4 deer & 1 hog with the 45/70, (2 deer with Contenders & the others with the #1), but those big bullets really make 'em spring a leak.

When it comes to bigger calibers, i personally like the longer barrels, say maybe 14 to 15"..that is a personal thing, i think they handle better, and i seem to shoot them better. My choice would be a stainless .450 , 15" overall length (including the brake). I dislike the noise from muzzle brakes, but they do help recoil, and the best way to get familiar with a barrel is to shoot it, the more the better. If you cant stand to shoot the barrel because of recoil, then it is not a barrel you are going to be absolutely secure in using...no matter what caliber, if you dont shoot it well, and dont have confidence in it, it aint gonna do the job! I try to shoot my big bores regularly, maybe not a whole lot, but at least some every time i go to the range...

anyway, i think with either one, or quite a few other calibers for that matter, you wont go wrong if you shoot straight & put those big bullets where they are supposed to go. Also, if interested, i sent a few Graybeard members a copy of Layne Simpson's article on the 45/70 and they seemed to find it useful..be happy to do the same for you if you want it!

Good shootin'!

LFaler · « **Reply #5 on:** May 10, 2005, 02:05:59 PM »

I would like to read the article....sent you a pm with my email address.

THanks in advance

LF

poncaguy · « **Reply #6 on:** May 10, 2005, 03:33:10 PM »

I have a 16" Contender with a ported 45-70 barrel. Recoil not bad, have rubber grips on it. My Handi 45-70 really thumps me though! :eek:

LFaler · « **Reply #7 on:** May 12, 2005, 07:27:53 AM »

Nothing like impulse buying

Happened upon the forum for "Ask Gary" on Gary Reeder's website and he had a 500 S&W 12" heavy barrel with break ready to ship......so the question about which 'first' pistol barrel to get has been answered!

Thanks to fyrepowrx for your help. I look forward to reading that 45-70 article, cause that is probably the next barrel I will get (right after my spartan double gets here that is).

Lance