I have wanted a revolver in this caliber since I first read about it back in the '80s.
I have spotted a Ruger Super Redhawk 7.5" barrel for sale in .454 for a good price.
Is there a downside to this caliber?
What are it's limits as far as the size of game it will take and the range shots should be limited to?
I do realize that the range is limited by me, but the cartridge has it's limits too.
Is the .454 tricky to load for?
I like the idea of being able to shoot .45 Colt in it as well as the full power .454.
Is the SRH strong enough to handle the hotter loads? I don't usually load to max but I have seen warnings on other firearms to not approach the upper limits.

Jim

I have a taurus raging bull 454 that I load hardcast down to 340 at 1350. That is really a heavy 45 colt load but is good for anything smaller than elephant to 100 yards easy. If it was scoped I would say 200 yards.

I could load them faster but at 1350 they are a managable load that allows quick follow up shots.

I have only shot one small deer offhand at 80 yards. I can hit pop cans at 50 yards offhand when I have been practicing. I also took two grouse with two shots one fall. Took their heads off at about 20 feet and 35 feet.

I like the idea of being able to use hard cast lead bullets as well as jacketed.
Do you ever use any actual .454 ammo, or is it usually just heavy .45?

Jim

RMiller is right on with the effective distances -- you are really only limited by your eyes -- at least that is the case with me. I have an SRH in .454 and it is probably one of the strongest revolvers on the market, so I wouldn't worry too much about hurting the gun with hot loads (obviously within reason). I prefer hardcast flat-nosed bullets to jacketed and have had some success with 360 and 400 grain WFNs. The 400 grainers travel close to 1400 fps from my 7.5-inch Super Redhawk. The red boar in my signature photo was taken with this load and it is very effective. The only downside to the .454 is the recoil, but you don't have to push it as hard as the factory loaded ammo. I would get a set of Hogue Tamer grips for it and have at it -- it's a great gun!

Jim, the 454 Casull is not any different to reload than any other round. I have a Super Redhawk in 454 Casull also. I don't shoot 45 Colts in my 454 Casull, I don't like having to clean out the ring in the cylinder. What you can do is use the 454 Casull cases and down load them to 45 Colt performance. So no need to have 45 Colt and 454 Cases. But if you really want to shoot 45 Colts, by all means do so, but clean your cylinder good, it may be hard to use the 454 Casull's after a long secession of 45 Colts.


The range of the round in the right hands is about 200 yards, the gun in only limited by you the shooter.

The Ruger Super Redhawk is a very strong revolver, as long as you stay in the printed load data out there.

If you are going to shoot jacketed bullets and then shoot hard cast bullets, make sure you clean all the copper fouling out of the gun. The copper fouling can cause you to have poor performance with the hard cast bullets.
Myself, I use only hard cast bullets for all my shooting and hunting. Normally you will find the cast bullets to be cheaper to shoot than jacketed bullets. I feel the hard cast bullets out perform the jacketed bullet in a hunting situation and give better penetration.

Good luck and I am more then sure, we can help you with any questions you may have.

This is a 45 colt along side my 340 at 1350 casull load.

The wide meplat actually makes a large wound channel. It rips an entrance hole.

I shot these through a small brown bear (7 footer @350 or 400#) carcass and it went through and exited broadside. I tried to go through the shoulders.

I have some 300 speer gold dots that I will load full throttle but I doubt I would hunt anything but deer with them. They kick like a mofo and wont penetrate anything like my 340 hardcast will.

Another reason I like the 340 hardcast is they shoot to point of aim. They are way more accurate than I am.

Take a look at the 375 and S&W 500 thread to see some graphic damage about large meplat lead bullets on a pig. https://forums.accuratereloading.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/2911043/m/228108918

quote:

Is there a downside to this caliber?

Brutal recoil and high ammo prices.

quote:

What are it's limits as far as the size of game it will take and the range shots should be limited to?

It will kill anything that has legs. The range depends on the shooter

quote:

I do realize that the range is limited by me, but the cartridge has it's limits too.

I suppose some of your faster loads shoot flat enough to make a 200yd shot possible with a steady hand.

quote:

Is the .454 tricky to load for?

If I can do it, it can't be that hard.

quote:

Is the SRH strong enough to handle the hotter loads?

It will handle any factory load, and any commercially-published hand load


The SRH 7.5" .454 is exactly what I have. If you can learn to handle the recoil, it's an awesome revolver.

It sounds like it might be more powerful than I need.
How much less useful would the same gun in .44mag be? There is a local seller with a Redhawk for the same money in .44mag. It isn't a Super Redhawk though.
I know it's less powerful, but how much would my range decrease?
What is the difference between the Super Redhawk and the Redhawk?
I know the .44mag will take a deer, and here in North Texas I don't run into many bears but we do have some fearsome feral pigs. We captured a boar recently, in town, that was about 350#. A .44mag shouldn't have a problem with one of these, would it?

Jim

Jim,
The .44 would handle those pigs adequately. Brian Pierce who writes for Wolfe and is savvy on revolvers states the .454 is the best big bore hunting revolver there is.
I personally would choose the .454 over the .44 but that's me. The .44 has been around along time and it is a good, heavy revolver to break into the game with. You couldn't go wrong either way really. As the Sarge says, the .44 would be cheaper to feed.

Cheaper isn't really a concern since I will be handloading for either one. I guess I could download the .454 to .45 Colt levels and avoid the recoil unless I am after something big.
Is the SRH that much better than the RH?

Jim

If you are reloading, the .44 won't be any cheeper to feed than the Casull, really. The .454 is definitely higher up on the food chain than the .44 and I personally would rather err on the side of the more powerful round. It is more flexible than the .44 magnum.

Man, ya'll ain't helping me hold on to my money!
I made the seller an offer that is slightly less than his asking price. We'll see if he takes it. If so I'll buy it very soon.

Jim

Jim, money is there to be spent! You won't be disappointed with the Casull, it's a good round, and the SRH is a great platform! Keep us posted!

I would opt for the 454 in those revolvers also.

After you get used to shooting 44 mag level loads in it you can go nuts and shoot some full power loads.

The 454 is definately higher on the food chain than the 44 mag. The 454 and heavy loaded 45 colt are extremely effevtive hunting handgun rounds for anything up to and including Moose. Once I get to the size animals of Moose I personaly will move up to one of my 475's or 500's, but for anything in the lower 48 states the 454 is absolutely awesome, that's not to say that the 475s and 500s aren't higher on the food chain.
Anyone that thinks hitting with a handgun at 200 yards and beyound is about speed, simply doesn't understand long range shooting with a handgun....
Hard cast bullets (Heavy large flat points) are the very best way to go for an alround bullet and you will never have to change loads no matter the intended game.

quote:

Originally posted by jwp475:
The 454 is definately higher on the food chain than the 44 mag. The 454 and heavy loaded 45 colt are extremely effevtive hunting handgun rounds for anything up to and including Moose. Once I get to the size animals of Moose I personaly will move up to one of my 475's or 500's, but for anything in the lower 48 states the 454 is absolutely awesome, that's not to say that the 475s and 500s aren't higher on the food chain.
Anyone that thinks hitting with a handgun at 200 yards and beyound is about speed, simply doesn't understand long range shooting with a handgun....
Hard cast bullets (Heavy large flat points) are the very best way to go for an alround bullet and you will never have to change loads no matter the intended game.

I couldn't have said this any better (perhaps that's why I didn't? )!

Get the .454 and have a good time!

I shoot the .44 mag in an SRH, but I've shot the 454 in an SRH quite a bit as well. Here is my opinion:

What is the downside? Recoil is violent. If I am ever undergunned with a .44, I'll reach for a rifle.

What is the upside? If you can handle the recoil, you'll have a sporting arm that is just as capable as your 30-06 in a shorter, more portable format. But, it will take practice, practice, practice to get to a point where you can hit anything consistently accurate offhand.

Is it tricky to load for? What caliber is? Pay attention to your loads like you would for a .38 special or a 7x57 and you're golden. However, if you do not reload already, you'll really want to if you have a Casull. Factory ammo costs a premium so reloading is probably your best bet.

I really like the Casull for its flexibility. You don't have to load it to its maximum pressure. It's quite effective at moderate velocities and heavy bullets. I know it's cliche, but you can load the .454 down to .44 levels but you can't load the .44 to .454 levels......and the .454 just makes a bigger hole.......

Don't get me wrong as I love my .44s, but the Casull is just in a different class......

quote:

Originally posted by Whitworth:
I really like the Casull for its flexibility. You don't have to load it to its maximum pressure. It's quite effective at moderate velocities and heavt bullets. I know it's cliche, but you can load the .454 down to .44 levels but you can't load the .44 to .454 levels......and the .454 just makes a bigger hole.......
Don't get me wrong as I love my .44s, but the Casull is just in a different class......

The 454 would never slum low enough to get to 44 levels....

pepperbelly, just get the 454 Casull and don't look back, you won't be disappointed. But no matter what you get, someday you will be wanting more. That is why the 500 mag is my round of choice.

quote:

Originally posted by RMiller:
This is a 45 colt along side my 340 at 1350 casull load.

The wide meplat actually makes a large wound channel. It rips an entrance hole.

I shot these through a small brown bear (7 footer @350 or 400#) carcass and it went through and exited broadside. I tried to go through the shoulders.

I have some 300 speer gold dots that I will load full throttle but I doubt I would hunt anything but deer with them. They kick like a mofo and wont penetrate anything like my 340 hardcast will.

Another reason I like the 340 hardcast is they shoot to point of aim. They are way more accurate than I am.

Whats your load? I'm interested in that bullet. Where did you get them?

While this would pertain to very few .454 Casull shooters, I have been told .454's extremely high operating pressures causes accelerated erosion at frame (near barrel boss) and barrel's forcing cone. I have no first-hand knowledge of this being true.

And I say again, the number of shooters who would shoot enough high-pressure .454 loads to have the problem -- if it exists -- is miniscule.

I have never downloaded my Casull and have put many, many rounds through it and have noticed no erosion -- not saying that it won't happen, but I believe the gun was built with this in mind.......JMHO.

quote:

How much less useful would the same gun in .44mag be? There is a local seller with a Redhawk for the same money in .44mag. It isn't a Super Redhawk though. I know it's less powerful, but how much would my range decrease?

I don't think it would be less useful at all. The .44 mag has been used to take some pretty big game. Again, effective range depends on the shooter. A good shooter might be capable of hitting well at 100yds with a .44, an excellent shooter could take it out to 200 (just like the .454)

quote:

What is the difference between the Super Redhawk and the Redhawk?

The primary difference, as I understand it, is the frame extension on the SRH that allows much more barrel thread engagement with the frame. I understand that Ruger's first Redhawks had problems blowing barrels off and to correct it they extended the frame to increase thread engagement. Later, they found that the problem was actually with the materials used rather than the design, but kept both models.
The frame addition makes the SRH heavier. This absorbs some recoil and some might perceive the extra weight as helping to hold the handgun steady. The forward portion of the frame is also an ideal place for Ruger to add their proprietary scope mounting system, which the Redhawk lacks.

quote:

I know the .44mag will take a deer, and here in North Texas I don't run into many bears but we do have some fearsome feral pigs. We captured a boar recently, in town, that was about 350#. A .44mag shouldn't have a problem with one of these, would it?

Heavy hard cast bullets, or the "penetrator" loads from Cor-Bon or Garrett are designed for that class of animal.

quote:

I guess I could download the .454 to .45 Colt levels and avoid the recoil unless I am after something big.

This versatility is, in my opinion, one of the biggest up-sides to the .454.

quote:

Is the SRH that much better than the RH?

Better for what? For packing around all day as a back-up gun the Redhawk is probably superior. In my opinion the SRH is superior as a primary hunting arm.

ptaylor,

I got the bullets from a forum member here in 2004.

They have a .410 meplat and I use 25 grains of LIL'GUN for 1350 fps.

I value the ability to have quick follow up shots if needed. Plus I mix and match cases since this is a moderate and not max load.

Might find some similiar bullets from commercial bullet companies like beartooth.

I still have 79 of mine and plan on using them only for hunting so they will last a long time.

Only downside I see to the 454 is recoil and noise (I use hearing protection when hunting with it)

No limit to what can be taken with it, but I will agree with those that think a 475 or 500 is better for really big game (someone mentioned above moose...sounds right to me).

No need to shoot .45 Colt, just load down the 454 cases to suit.

SRH should handle any book loads, possibly excepting some of the FA loads.

I like the trajectory given by the 260 gr. velocities. 1350 fps gets me to 100 yds before worrying much about trajectory (44 mag territory), 1,700-1,800 gets me to 150 yds...beyond that I am holding over the animal or raising the front sight.

I am currently using 260 gr partitions and figure they are plenty for deer, hogs, black bear and elk. There are quite a few in the hard cast camp, but I am satisfied with the trajectory/performance I am getting and see no need for change.

I use H110 and jacketed bullets, probably the worst combo for flame cutting. All of my revolvers from 357-454 suffer forcing cone erosion. Top strap cutting, while present, has been a non-issue. My forcing cones seem to last +/-15K rounds before accuracy suffers.

The 454 is my go to gun...get the SRH and don't look back. My .02, dvnv

Thanks for all the advice. If the seller takes my offer, or if he makes a counter offer I will get it.
As for reloading, I already handload for .45acp- for plate matches and bullseye matches. I know the recoil will be in a much different class but I have no problem shooting accurately single-handed at 50 yards. Using 2 hands seems almost like cheating.
If/when I get it I'll post pics here- and probably on every other board I use.

Later,
Jim

Good luck, pepperbelly! I hope you get it as it's a great piece -- you'll see! Keep us informed!

The seller made a counter offer I can live with. Now, before I buy it I really need to be sure about it.
I may not hunt with it, and it's not for target shooting. I say not hunt, but I may get a chance to go after feral hogs with it.
I don't mind safe queens, as long as they grow in value. I have a Garand, a Swede M38 and a few others in the safe. I shoot them every once in a while. I do shoot the SDA .45acp and Ruger MkII a LOT more ofter as I shoot them in matches.
Is it worth it for plinking/playing around/ having the biggest one at the range, with a little hunting thrown in from time to time?
The Hornady dies that come with it are fairly expensive.
Everything shipped for under $600.00. Should I jump?

Jim

If it's in good shape and you're getting extras, I say go for it. You won't be able to resist hunting with it and it is really good hog medicine -- see the photo in my signature, that is a 200-lb hog I took with my .454 SRH (400 grain WFNs). It is very accrate and fun to shoot in a masochistic sort of way. Find an accurate 360 grain load and practice a lot with it, and by all means go hunting! But don't forget to get some Hogue Tamer grips for it (I think they are $18.00 from Midway) and it will make shooting it with full-house loads a lot more pleasant.

Everyone should own one, I say go for it...

Whitworth it has the original grips but is wearing Pachmeyers right now.
It is coming with Hornady Custom New Dimension dies, Qty. 136 of 240 grain Hornady XTP Mag bullets
Qty. 23 of 300 grain Hornady XTP Mag bullets
100 pcs. of once fired 454 brass and 2 ammo boxes as well as the original rings and box.

I hear ya about the masochistic part. I have been married for almost 20 years!

Jim

quote:

Originally posted by pepperbelly: I hear ya about the masochistic part. I have been married for almost 20 years!

Jim

LOL, Jim, that's funny!

I have tried a number of different grips on my SRH in .475 Linebaugh, and by far the best on that heavy recoiler are the Hogue Tamers -- it's money well spent that makes even full-tilt loads dare I say somewhat pleasant!

Looks like you're getting a smokin' deal! Congrats!

DON'T DO IT !!

If you buy this gun you will regret it for the rest of your life.

But, do send the seller's phone number to me right away.

Just kidding.

You will really like your SRH.

Some things I believe have been overlooked in the otherwise excellent advice posted here.

The 454 Casull will be definitely more expensive to feed. New .454 brass (in my locale) is over 3 times the price of 44 magnum or 45 Colt brass.

Casull brass requires rifle primers (not more expensive, but you will have to have an additional inventory item

The Casull can chamber and fire the 45 Colt, of course, but can also handle .45 ACP using moon clips. However, to do this, you do have to dish out the ejector star. $75 to $200 depending on your gunsmith. The fun of .45 ACP in this big boomer - priceless.

Less obvious differences between the standard Redhawk and the Super Redhawk: The RH has a regular grip frame. The SRH has a post like the GP100, which means a lot more flexibility in shaping the grips and the ability to have a lot more cushion for the web of your hand. With the RH, no cushion at all unless you put a hump over the backstrap.

Speaking of the GP series. The lockwork of the SRH is more like the GP than the Standard RH. Not that it makes any difference worth noting. If you are interested, go to Ruger's web site and download the owner's manuals for the three revolvers. (Download is free) They make great reading.

I have found with at least one holster, my 7.5" RH fits the same Bianchi (leather) holster as my 7.5" SRH. (Both the .44 Mag and the .454 Casull)

About recoil and energy: Of course, the SRH is not the biggest, baddest kid on the block any more. The X-frame Smith & Wessons deal in higher velocities and bigger bullets. The .460 S&W will shoot everything the .454 can plus the .460 S&W. The .500 S&W can deal out a 700 grain bullet with 11% more frontal area than the Casull and 50% more energy (and, when shooting comparable energy levels less, felt recoil) I personally don't care for Smith & Wesson because I don't like all the little-bitty parts in their lockwork. Rugers have about 1/3 the moving parts and these parts are more robust (and harder to lose when the Smith parts go flying out all over my workspace when I take the sideplate off). But that is MY prejudice. It is unarguable that the Smith & Wesson has a superior double action trigger pull. My friend has a 4" .500 Smith, and we have been shooting my 44 and 454 and his 500 almost every week since he took delivery on his and are having a ball.

Typical energy levels to expect are 1,100 ft-lbs for .44 mag, 2,000 for the 454 Casull and approaching 3,000 for the 500.

Since I mentioned trigger pull above, I might as well say more. The Smiths' frames are forged. The Rugers are investment cast. The casting is heavier and not as smooth inside. That means that a good gunsmith can make a VAST improvement in trigger pull to the Ruger very easily. And simple wearing in over the first 1,000 rounds makes things better as well, all by itself (except for the wear and tear on your wrist, palm and thumb).

Shooting Cost: The 500 costs $2.25 per shot, retail. So he started reloading. Price is 75 cents to a dollar a shot. And we have made some 300 grain plinking rounds at 500 to 850 feet per second. The slow ones were a little too tame. Great for practice, familiarization, and for not scaring off the neophytes. (We let a lot of other people try out the big boomer at the range. It's fun.) My 454 cartridges cost about a dollar apiece, retail and 60 to 80 cents each reloaded. But my .44 magnum calculates out at half that cost.

Pipe dreams: I wish Ruger would build an extended frame Super Redhawk - and chamber it for a .500 Super Smith & Wesson cartridge (bigger than Smith's, naturally).

Happy shooting and be careful of the cylinder-barrel gap. 50,000 psi can hurt if you get your fingers near. (I thought I would share that because there was a guy cut up his thumb pretty badly when he held is 460 SMith XVR the wrong way (apparantly used a hold more appropriate for an auto pistol than for his revolver) No disrespect to you intended, but I though it worthwhile to mention a caution.

Enjoy.
Larry (Lost Sheep) Alaska

Larry -- the SRH frame will comfortably accomodate the .475 Linebaugh, the .500 Linebaugh, and the .500 JRH -- you don't need more speed!

quote:

Originally posted by Whitworth:
Larry -- the SRH frame will comfortably accomodate the .475 Linebaugh, the .500 Linebaugh, and the .500 JRH -- you don't need more speed!

Why not?????

Oh Redhawk, we've been through this before! Let's have a penetration contest. I will load my .475 to 1350 fps (with a 420 grain bullet) or thereabouts, and you load your .500, .454, or .460 to maximum speed and let's see which one penetrates further -- you can pick the medium we shoot into! Not trying to be contrary, just livening up the conversation!! Are you up for that??

Adendum: No hostility intended, just a little fun to test our theories!

I would love to do that. But let me ask you one question, if speed mean's nothing, why do you need the .475 Linebaugh, wouldn't the 480 Ruger be more than enough, or am I missing something here??????

If speed meant nothing the 44 Special would still be king of the hill, the 44 Mag made the 44 Special a wimp round, why, because of speed.