I'm thinking about getting a revolver, and the Ruger is very high on the list. I guess I have two questions. First, I'm getting the gun primarily for protection when I go hiking in the Colorado mountains. I went last weekend with my 4.5 year old girl, and we came across 6-7 bear droppings. So is this gun a good choice.

Second, is the longer barrel really worth it? I will plan on hunting with this gun, so I'm thinking the barrel length will be better if it's longer.

I love my 7.5 480. I think the 9.5 is a little hard to carry. If yu scope it then th ebarrel linght doesn't make a difference The 454 9.5 was harder for me to get on target fast compared to the 7.5. Just my 2 cents

Hcliff

I carried a 7.5 in bbl SBH for several years while prospecting and found that length to be almost excessive for comfort. My most recent was a 7.5 cut down to 4 5/8 but I didn't hunt with it. It worked quite well and was still very accurate for what I needed,defence! derf

What sort of accuracy/velocity gains should be expected for a handgun when adding 2 inches of barrel? It sounds like the added weight is not worth any acc/vel gains.

monyhunter, 2" will give you about 20-30fps more, and I don't think your accuracy will suffer If you go with the 7.5", I'm getting 4" groups with my 7.5" RH at 50yds with open sites, decide from there. Jay

I've been packing a 7 1/2" 480 for several years now as bear protection. I definately wouldn't go with a longer barrel, and have been seriously considering having mine cut down to 5 1/2 or 5 inches. You will gain 50 fps from the extra 2 inches of barrel, which is not worth the added bulk, IMHO.

One of the reason's I haven't cut the gun down yet is it shoots well, I'm afraid to mess with success. As far as accuracy, scoped it will print 1" at 50 yds, my best with irons is a tad over 2" at 50 yds.

You will have to handload to get the most out of the 480, but it is worth it. Look at the favorite loads forum for my 480 loads, you'll likely have to set the page to look back 1 year to find them though. Searched myself, here's the link http://www.nookhill.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=25;t=000222#000000

On the other hand, you can simplify things by loading either 21 gr of H 110 or Lil gun under a 390-400 gr cast bullet and get an 1200 fps. That is a very shootable load, not abusive in recoil, and capable of taking any animal I'd hunt with a handgun.

For packing the gun, get either a shoulder or chest holster. Mine gets packed at least a month a year, and I haven't had any problems packing it.

[ 07-30-2003, 22:11: Message edited by: Paul H ]