I don't pay as much attention to hunting handguns as I used to, just because open sights are getting harder for me to use. But it was a pleasant surprise to see the .480 back in the Ruger lineup. I always thought this a useful cartridge that didn't get all the respect it deserved.

Sure is a great cartridge,and I am glad to see it back in the line up, the return was announce in this latest article by Whitworth

http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbook...201406/index.php#/52

Thanks for the link, Seasons. I get the Rifleman, so missed that.

No problem, there will be more to come.

I like the 480, although it, of course, led to the 475. Great cartridges, one or the other going back to Alaska for bear next spring.

quote:

Originally posted by pennfly:
I like the 480, although it, of course, led to the 475. Great cartridges, one or the other going back to Alaska for bear next spring.

Other way around. The .475 predates the .480 by at least a decade and a half. I have both and they both work really well!

I am awaiting to see the arrival of the 480. I am definitely considering picking one up.
I Really like my Freedom 475, but think the 480 Super Redhawk with a 5" barrel and a 400 gr hard cast in the 1200 fps neighbor would be ample for all my needs.

They are already out. Mine is staggeringly accurate. I won't hesitate to recommend them.

Yep, I understand that they are. But, I have not seen one in Alaska thus far. I have certainly been looking since the release was announced. I have not seen one in the stock of several local firearms stores nor the large chain stores. I am sure they will eventually migrate to the far north in numbers. Though, I did pick up a couple of boxes of Buffalo Bore's 410 grain yesterday. I will dedicate more time to the search following the moose season closure or success.

quote:

Originally posted by Whitworth:
They are already out. Mine is staggeringly accurate. I won't hesitate to recommend them.

quote:

Originally posted by ldmay375:
Yep, I understand that they are. But, I have not seen one in Alaska thus far. I have certainly been looking since the release was announced. I have not seen one in the stock of several local firearms stores nor the large chain stores. I am sure they will eventually migrate to the far north in numbers. Though, I did pick up a couple of boxes of Buffalo Bore's 410 grain yesterday. I will dedicate more time to the search following the moose season closure or success.

quote:

Originally posted by Whitworth:
They are already out. Mine is staggeringly accurate. I won't hesitate to recommend them.

Those 480's will work perfectly in your 475.

quote:

Originally posted by ldmay375:
Yep, I understand that they are. But, I have not seen one in Alaska thus far. I have certainly been looking since the release was announced. I have not seen one in the stock of several local firearms stores nor the large chain stores. I am sure they will eventually migrate to the far north in numbers. Though, I did pick up a couple of boxes of Buffalo Bore's 410 grain yesterday. I will dedicate more time to the search following the moose season closure or success.

quote:

Originally posted by Whitworth:
They are already out. Mine is staggeringly accurate. I won't hesitate to recommend them.

That 410 grain load is a good one. I took a black bear with it a year or two ago. The 370 grain load by Buffalo Bore is extremely accurate in my .480.

quote:

Originally posted by ldmay375:
I am awaiting to see the arrival of the 480. I am definitely considering picking one up.
I Really like my Freedom 475, but think the 480 Super Redhawk with a 5" barrel and a 400 gr hard cast in the 1200 fps neighbor would be ample for all my needs.

It's much less expensive to just tailor your loads in the .475.

quote:

Originally posted by Whitworth:

quote:

Originally posted by pennfly:
I like the 480, although it, of course, led to the 475. Great cartridges, one or the other going back to Alaska for bear next spring.

Other way around. The .475 predates the .480 by at least a decade and a half. I have both and they both work really well!

LOL!!! I meant after I bought a 480 I had to have a 475!

That 410 grain load is a good one. I took a black bear with it a year or two ago. The 370 grain load by Buffalo Bore is extremely accurate in my .480.[/QUOTE]

I haven't used a handgun to take a black bear yet but certainly can see my SRH 480 Ruger as being a possibility. The use of hard cast would certainly simplify things for me as I practice with 400 grain truncated cone bullets (not LBT brand so don't want to steal their trademark). What was the necropsy result? I shot one with a 9.3x62mm 20.5" CZ550FS. The bullet was not recovered and pretty much no sign of injury, except lack of lung function and heart beat. The Hornady 325 grain XTP factory ammo was my other thought as to ammo.

quote:

Originally posted by ldmay375:
I am awaiting to see the arrival of the 480. I am definitely considering picking one up.
I Really like my Freedom 475, but think the 480 Super Redhawk with a 5" barrel and a 400 gr hard cast in the 1200 fps neighbor would be ample for all my needs.

I agree, if Ruger made a 5" barrel 480 I would buy one tomorrow.

Very true as to the expense of purchase verses the tailoring the loads. But, I would like to add another double action in a larger bore.
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quote:

Originally posted by MS Hitman:

quote:

Originally posted by ldmay375:
I am awaiting to see the arrival of the 480. I am definitely considering picking one up.
I Really like my Freedom 475, but think the 480 Super Redhawk with a 5" barrel and a 400 gr hard cast in the 1200 fps neighbor would be ample for all my needs.

It's much less expensive to just tailor your loads in the .475.

I just finished up packing around a Super RedHawk Toklat for over three weeks. Constant wear with the exception of sleep, and a few times removing for chow, and one very short hike. On that hike, I missed it enough to return and pick it up.
--------------------------------------------------------------

quote:

Originally posted by doubledown:

quote:

Originally posted by ldmay375:
I am awaiting to see the arrival of the 480. I am definitely considering picking one up.
I Really like my Freedom 475, but think the 480 Super Redhawk with a 5" barrel and a 400 gr hard cast in the 1200 fps neighbor would be ample for all my needs.

I agree, if Ruger made a 5" barrel 480 I would buy one tomorrow.

A 5" SRH 480. I may have to look one of these up. I sure did like the 7 1/2" SRH 480s I had but would want a shorter barrel if I got another one.