I'm planning on getting a Ruger SRH in either .480 or .454. I'm leaninng heavily towards the .480, especially since I handload. I'm still a little undecided about barrel length. I'm not going to use this as a backup/protection gun, but as a big game getter. It seems most people have the 7.5", but those that have the 9.5" praise its decrease muzzle jump, and slightly better accuracy.

What's the reasoning behind getting a shorter vs. longer barrel in a handgun. Is it just increased velocity like in a rifle, or is there more to it.

The longer barrel will get the muzzle blast away from your ears and will not bother you for a shot or two. If you use open sights, the longer barrel will make it easy to sight in as each click only moves the point of impact around one inch at 50 yds. The shorter the barrel the more each click will move the point of impact. As far as killing power, you or the animal will never tell the difference. The SRH with the long barrel is shorter overall and there is more weight back toward the hand then the SBH and is still easy to shoot offhand whereas the SBH gets muzzle heavy. My suggestion is to buy what feels good to you.

I have the SRH in 480 with a 7.5 ". I like it because it is easier to transport. I can use a belt holster if needed. The 9.5 is a should holset gun. I have shot the 454 in 9.5 (guy in my hubnting party)

The other thing to ask your self if you are going to scope it. Some think the 7.5 looks funny with a scope (I personally don't). As for muzzle blast both are pretty close. LOUD. The increse in velocity isn't a real lot. The extra velocity will not make the 9.5 kill faster then the 7.5. The 9.5 has a longer sight radius for iron sight shooting. Easier to hit with in theory. I like the balance of the 7.5 and the sight raduis has not given me a problem.

If you get the 480 let me know as I have run a fair amount of rounds through mine and have quite a bit of load data (So does Paul H).

As for 454 vs 480 this is user preference. Bullet weight vs speed. The 480 is great. I can get the best of both worlds. The 480 is a touch harder to get supplies for. I will be hunting with 410 LBT WFN-GC over H110. A great load.

Good luck
Hcliff