Not sure I'm up to handling .475 Linebaugh recoil even though I've not fired one. The descriptions by both Whitworth and on Bowen's web site cause me to believe I can handle a .480 Ruger's recoil.

Now for the firing platform. I have a fairly new, 2011, Ruger SS Bisley in 45LC. Also a minty, 1994, 7-1/2" chromemoly, Vaquero. I'd definitely use a Bisley grip. This would more than likely be a full blown custom by one of the better known 'smiths; Bowen, Linebaugh, Clements, etc. The Vaquero would be fit with adj sights. Would the lighter weight of the CM Vaquero be a deficit in the recoil department? I'd probably go 5-1/2" barrel length.

Am I barking up the wrong tree with the Vaquero and stick with the SS Bisley? Also, same question with the 475 Linebaugh? Can it be more versatile if I learn to handle the recoil and yet shoot mid-range loads? Or is the .480 Ruger more than capable to handle all the below intended uses?

Intended purpose will be mule deer, elk, caribou, moose and grizzly?

I will be casting and loading my own fodder.

Thanks,

Alan

I've been pleasantly surprised with my .475L. I haven't yet found the recoil to be objectionable. Granted, I've only fired factory Hornady 400gr XTP's and mod velocity (950fps) Buffalo Bore 420gr. I'm sure it'd be more of a handful in a smaller package than my FA83.

If you are going to be loading your own the 475 is the obvious choice. If you find the max loads for the 475 objectionable, simply load it to 480 Ruger levels. Or load to Hornady 475 load levels: they claim 1300 fps with a 400 gr. XTP. That load is stout but nowhere near max Linebaugh loads.

You can't go up with the 480 Ruger.

+1 on what Landrum said. No need for a .480 if you are loading your own.

+ 2 for what Landrum said. I have shot and chronographed Hornady's .475 load and it is mild as far as .475 Linebaugh loads are concerned. The beauty is that you just don't need to load it hot for it to work well.

Ok gents! .475 Linebaugh it is. Now, what about the weight difference between the chrome moly Vaquero vs the SS Bisley? I'm guessing the extra weight in the SS Bisley might dampen the recoil a bit but it might be neat to have a pretty case colored custom. Then again, I like SS and it's ability to fend off the elements as this gun will be purpose built for Alaska (bear and moose) and lower 48 elk seasons.

Alan

My vote is for the SS Bisley for a field gun. I've no experience shooting a vaquero, so my vote is biased...

quote:

Originally posted by GSSP:
Ok gents! .475 Linebaugh it is. Now, what about the weight difference between the chrome moly Vaquero vs the SS Bisley? I'm guessing the extra weight in the SS Bisley might dampen the recoil a bit but it might be neat to have a pretty case colored custom. Then again, I like SS and it's ability to fend off the elements as this gun will be purpose built for Alaska (bear and moose) and lower 48 elk seasons.

Alan

Alan, don't overlook hardchrome. It's one of the toughest finishes out there. This revolver, belonging to another forum member, started life as a blued Blackhawk.

If you are going to handload AND if you desire the ability to shoot various levels of loads. The only way to go is the adjustable sights.

For what it's worth, My wife shoots a 475 Linebaugh! She shoots a 400 grain bullet at 1050 which will handle most anything, especially with her on the handle.
Her first loads were a 375 at 1350 and did so without hesitation. She likes the 400's at a G better as she uses them for everything.

I would go with the SS Bisley or a "Bisleyized" BFR.





As mentioned, hard chrome is another great option too.



I would not choose a Vaquero build as my primary big bore though.

Boxhead, after finishing up whatever concoction that is on the table, I'll bet handling the 475 is a breeze! :-)

Boxhead,

Please, tell us what you have here and who made them for you.

Alan

Damn boxhead, you're killing me on multiple sites with those pics. I'm riddled with envy. My vote is also for the ss bisley. On a side note, 475 linebaugh full house loads are very hard to control. They beat my ass. Load that 400 to around 1100 and there is nothing that wont fall to it. Its alot easier to shoot too!

quote:

Originally posted by Biebs:
Boxhead, after finishing up whatever concoction that is on the table, I'll bet handling the 475 is a breeze! :-)

Biebs,

The concoction is sweet tea as many know.

quote:

Originally posted by GSSP:
Boxhead,

Please, tell us what you have here and who made them for you.

Alan

The 500 Linebaugh is clearly a Bowen gun, a Nimrod, that I bought from a gent in Alaska a number of years ago. I had the grips made by CLC but found them not to my liking so I had Alan Harton rework them.

The second is a BFR 475 Linebaugh that was one of the pile that CDNN was selling s
a few years ago for $500. I bought it, a second Jack Huntington modified grip frame with micarta grips (and 475 and 480 factory ammo) from a gent that was kind enough to pass the CDNN deal on to me. The JRH grips and grip frame were too "clubby" and "fat" for my hands and the barrel too long so I sent the package to Alan Harton to lean the JRH package and fit it to the cylinder frame. I also had him cut the barrel to 5 1/2", add the barrel band and Weigand interchangeable front sight, remove the BFR scribble and re-mark the caliber. He did a trigger job with OT stop on it as well. I added the Bowen rear sight.

The third is a 5 shot 45 Colt that I bought from another chap. It is marked Competitive Edge Gunworks (Larry Crow's shop) and I was told was built by one of his guys for their own personal use. It is every bit as fine a gun as the big names build, action blocked, line bored, etc., with a Taylor throat. Finish is hard chrome. It came with buffalo horn grips that I swapped for Hogue walnuts.

Boxhead,

Thank you for taking the time to appraise us of your collection. They're wonderful. I especially love the Bowen and the 45 Colt but with the Hogue walnut stocks.

I just need to see more pics of guns like your so I can determine what little nuances I like or dislike.

I also need to narrow down some 'smith's to do the work. I'm no hurry as I'm currently cash poor. I've got one of the Williams Shooters Supply Ruger SS Bisley's in 45 Colt and I really like it. Figure it will become a .475 Linebaugh when I'm ready to make the transformation. I might buy another so I can keep one in 45 Colt and the other a .475.

Alan

In a 6" FA there is a lot of difference in recoil between the Hornady 400gr HP and the 350, 400, 420, and 440gr Factory loads from Buffalo Bore.

The Hornady load is fairly plesant to shoot compaired to the others.

The 420gr 950fps Buffalo Bore load is very plesant to shoot, I have killed a turkey with it.

You can also shoot the 325 and 400gr 480 Ruger loads in your 475L if necessary.

Shooting a FA in 454 and 475 side by side several times, I can not really tell any difference in recoil between the two, with the following statement. I find the lighter bullets loaded to Buffalo Bore full power standards to be more uncomfortable than the heavier bulleted full power loads.

ie, the light bullet 454 240/250 full power loads loads and the 350 Buffalo Bore 475L loads, are more uncomfortable than the 300 to 330gr full power 454 loads and the 400 to 440gr full power 475L loads.

I find the same thing in the S&W Scandium 44 Mag.
The full power 240gr loads are more uncomfortable to shoot than the Speer 270 or the Federal 300gr Cast Core.

I find the high velocity recoil, of the lighter bullets, more uncomfortable than the heaver bullet loads.

quote:

Originally posted by GSSP:
Not sure I'm up to handling .475 Linebaugh recoil even though I've not fired one. The descriptions by both Whitworth and on Bowen's web site cause me to believe I can handle a .480 Ruger's recoil.

Now for the firing platform. I have a fairly new, 2011, Ruger SS Bisley in 45LC. Also a minty, 1994, 7-1/2" chromemoly, Vaquero. I'd definitely use a Bisley grip. This would more than likely be a full blown custom by one of the better known 'smiths; Bowen, Linebaugh, Clements, etc. The Vaquero would be fit with adj sights. Would the lighter weight of the CM Vaquero be a deficit in the recoil department? I'd probably go 5-1/2" barrel length.

Am I barking up the wrong tree with the Vaquero and stick with the SS Bisley? Also, same question with the 475 Linebaugh? Can it be more versatile if I learn to handle the recoil and yet shoot mid-range loads? Or is the .480 Ruger more than capable to handle all the below intended uses?

Intended purpose will be mule deer, elk, caribou, moose and grizzly?

I will be casting and loading my own fodder.

Thanks,

Alan

A 475L can shoot 480's but not the other way around. The 475L can be loaded down and is by several commercial ammo producers

The 480 is the the 357mag and the 44 mag in reverse

quote:

Originally posted by Boxhead:

quote:

Originally posted by GSSP:
Boxhead,

Please, tell us what you have here and who made them for you.

Alan

The 500 Linebaugh is clearly a Bowen gun, a Nimrod, that I bought from a gent in Alaska a number of years ago. I had the grips made by CLC but found them not to my liking so I had Alan Harton rework them.
The second is a BFR 475 Linebaugh that was one of the pile that CDNN was selling s
a few years ago for $500. I bought it, a second Jack Huntington modified grip frame with micarta grips (and 475 and 480 factory ammo) from a gent that was kind enough to pass the CDNN deal on to me. The JRH grips and grip frame were too "clubby" and "fat" for my hands and the barrel too long so I sent the package to Alan Harton to lean the JRH package and fit it to the cylinder frame. I also had him cut the barrel to 5 1/2", add the barrel band and Weigand interchangeable front sight, remove the BFR scribble and re-mark the caliber. He did a trigger job with OT stop on it as well. I added the Bowen rear sight.

The third is a 5 shot 45 Colt that I bought from another chap. It is marked Competitive Edge Gunworks (Larry Crow's shop) and I was told was built by one of his guys for their own personal use. It is every bit as fine a gun as the big names build, action blocked, line bored, etc., with a Taylor throat. Finish is hard chrome. It came with buffalo horn grips that I swapped for Hogue walnuts.

I know that Jack has in the past performed work on a gun that he originally built for free to the new owner. I do not know if he still does this are not

I agree with the previous comments that the 475 Linbaugh is the obvious choice if you reload. Also, I would definitely go with the adjustable sight Blackhawk. You will only be able to take advantage of the versatility with the adjustable sights. I personally prefer the Bowen Target or Rough Country sights.

Mat

Ok....a question to all you .475 guys. I am new to the .475 having just bought a 6" FA 83 last summer. Have fired it a few times with several different bullet weights from 350-420 grain. All the loads are running just shy of 1100 fps...which is just fine for the deer and bear I may encounter.

So the question...if recoil up in the 1250-1400 fps range is more than most can tolerate...as NE450 once said to me..."it is just to much of a good thing"...why not just go with the .480 instead?

Yes, one can download a .475 down to .480 levels but one can not load up the .480 to .475 levels...but if all that power is unusable to most mere mortals what is the point? For the same velocity one is going to have more airspace in the case which can sometimes be less accurate ie. trying to make a .357 into a .38 target gun using .357 brass.

The other is bullet selection. Now the FA probably has a little shorter cylinder than some of the custom guns based on a Ruger frame but when using the FA one has to make sure the bullet purchased isn't going to exceed the LOA of the cylinder...

There is a picture I have seen of I believe Tiffin with a huge bison that he shot with a 4.75" FA 83 and the caliber was listed as a .480 Ruger. Putting the bullet in a shorter case didn't seem to hurt anything...

So other than having the extra power available what am I missing in my reasoning...

Thanks...Bob

It depends on how much is too much. I reload and have the .475, never saw any reason to get a .480.I'don't firewall my .475 either. If I want more, I get out my .500 Linebaugh. The .480 just never appealed to me and still doesn't. That is my preference or not.

The bigger case downloaded yields lower pressure.

Just an example. 400 XTP

480 will produce 1115fps at 34,400 PSI
475 will produce 1139fps at 30,200 PSI

If price wasn't an issue, I'd have gone with a custom .475L or maybe even a .500L. But given that Ruger produced the .480 in a production SRH, that was an easy selection. Its next "victim" is going to be a Cape Buffalo....... I hope.

Not sure it matters a whole lot between the two. I wouldn't be scared to take on anything on Earth with either properly loaded. That said the linebaugh will d o anything the 480 can do and then some extra. The 480 can only do what it can do for that reason I would give the edge to the linebaugh. Do I think the critter you smacked with a .475 w caliber projectile would know the difference? Not really.

I love the 480R... but

If you load your own I agree you can dowload the 475L

But

Ruger is now building the 480 again

Snake

quote:

Originally posted by temmi:
Ruger is now building the 480 again

Snake

I just took delivery of one of the two that I ordered (still waiting on the Alaskan). The Target Gray finish is gone and the trigger feels pretty good. Haven't shot it yet.......

Come on now Whit, You really don't think you can tell us you have one without posting a photo or two

Get your camera out! Please and thanks

Max, if you can get one that quick, maybe you can get them to make one with a 5" barrel! HELP!!

Sorry guys, but I literally got it yesterday afternoon and I haven't even fondled it but maybe twice. I'll take a picture later on and post it. They won't produce a 5-incher -- unfortunately!

quote:

Originally posted by Whitworth:
Sorry guys, but I literally got it yesterday afternoon and I haven't even fondled it but maybe twice. I'll take a picture later on and post it. They won't produce a 5-incher -- unfortunately!

Has that stopped you before??

I really haven't had the opportunity yet. I need to photograph it for a couple of projects and will make a concerted effort to do it late this afternoon when the light is just right.....

Standby!

Local pawnshop has a target grey 480R for $899....I'm thinking that is a few hundred $$$ too high. If I remember correctly I paid under $800 out the door for my old 454.

Maybe one of these days gun prices will be back where they need to be

Full power Buffalo Bore 475L loads do have quite a bit of recoil, and POWER.

That much power is not needed for all hunting, but it can be an advantage if you are hunting very large game or shooting larger game like elk at longish handgun ranges.

For more average handgun hunting you just load it down a bit, to 480R levels. And since you will be shooting at less pressure, you will have less recoil and less blast than the 480R.

If you do not reload, then just shoot Hornady 480 ammo in your 475, or Hornady 475L ammo.

quote:

Originally posted by Buglemintoday:
Local pawnshop has a target grey 480R for $899....I'm thinking that is a few hundred $$$ too high. If I remember correctly I paid under $800 out the door for my old 454.

Maybe one of these days gun prices will be back where they need to be

I paied something like $550 used at Gander

Snake

If you just have money burning a hole in your pocket, get your custom. Otherwise your bone stock Ruger 45 Colt, with the proper handloads, will kill anything you want to take on with a handgun.

If you are REALLY serious about handgun hunting, get a 460 Custom Shop S&W, scoped. It will outshoot any of the custom single actions.

If a 300 gr bullet at 2100 fps (how do spell 405 Winchester) won't kill it, I would not be shooting at it.

quote:

Originally posted by artshaw:If you are REALLY serious about handgun hunting, get a 460 Custom Shop S&W, scoped. It will outshoot any of the custom single actions.

Nonsense. All of my customs shoot lights out and they aren't crew served weapons like the .460. That said, the ones I have shot and hunted with were accurate, but at the end of the day, despite its velocity potential and 1.8-inch case, it's still only a .45 in diameter -- not that there anything wrong with a .45, but my .45 can be carried on my hip and forgotten about.

I have the Target grey 7.5" SHR in 480 Ruger. I have thought about putting it up on the block for sale but I really do like the gun.
I have the brass, mould, dies, factory and Houge tamer grips.

If you really think a 300 gr 45 caliber bullet at 2100 fps will not put down any NA big game, there are a lot of guys running about with 45-70 Marlin Guide guns (300 gr @ 2100 fps) who might not agree with you.

A 460 Smith can be found for about $1500, or about the same as a Freedom Arms single action. I doubt any full house custom Single action could be bought for that.

Bottom line is that you don't need anything more than a 45-70-300 to take any big game at ethical handgun ranges. A 460 S&W is a ballistic twin to that and can be handled by a reasonably experienced revolver shooter. The monster handgun cartridges are very impressive but are like using a 600 Nitro rifle when a 375 H&H will do the job just fine.

Remember the Op is starting out. As I said in the beginning a plain old 45 Colt with 250 gr lead bullets at 900 fps is a killing machine that has taken 100s if not 1000s of heads of big game. What worked in 1873 still works today.

artshaw, not sure how much handgun hunting you do, but not many handgun hunters that I know, and that's quite few, like lugging around a revolver nearly as large as a rifle. Pretty much defeats the purpose. Furthermore, I have used the .460, .454, and .45 Colt on game (and the .45 Colt is handsdown my favorite of the trio), and they're all .45s. You can move up in diameter, get a more effective round on game, that doesn't need to be pushed hard to be effective, and you certainly don't have to drive a 300 grain bullet to 2,100 fps.

You can get a brand new BFR for around $800.00 that will shoot with any FA.

If the OP is starting out, why are you suggesting he gets himself a 5-lb revolver. Think about it.

And the OP isn't just starting out. He shot one-heck-of-a-big moose with a .45 Colt a few years ago. He's no stranger to handgun hunting, he would like to step up and the .475s (the .480 and .475 Linebaugh) are great choices. The .480 is a particularly pleasant and effective round.