Thanks for all the replies. I appreciate the time and detail to them. Grape Creek, You are right about the fact that in Arizona I most likely will not realize the full potential of either caliber nothing out here that my 44's couldn�t handle except for elk. I did have a close call with a black bear that came across my tent in the middle of the night I have never had a experience like it. The thing just grunted and hollered at my tent for a half-hour before it moved on all though if he came threw my tent I�m sure the 44 would have been fine but after that I figured something bigger would be better. I know our bears are like mice to yours but it still freaked me out. I do shoot quite a bit and just love the big caliber�s for rock busting. It would be nice to have and be in practice when I finally do get to go on a big trip. A friend recently purchased a 454 freedom arms and a 500 bfr I think he is getting tired of me hogging the 454 I have only shot 500 rounds or so in the 454. The horady's 360gr loads are just above 1600 fps. I�m thinking the 480 with full power 400gr loads shouldn�t kick much more. The 500 is just way too much. I shot that on a hot summer day with my hands getting sweaty the gun rolled back and the hammer took a chunk of skin off. I do reload but do not cast so the only advantage of the 454 from what I can now figure is that when I walk into any store that carries reloading supplies the 454 has a large selection of bullets. Most stores don�t even carry cast lead for the 480 in AZ. So if I go with the 480 I just better keep a good stock of bullets. If I only shot factory ammo I would defiantly go with 454. I think the stores only carry the 480 in hornadys 325 grainers and pushing my 44 to the Max I am already almost there. I guess reloading is the key to this caliber. I think I will be confused on my decision until I make my purchase.

I have a 8" SS 454 RB it spits lead and jacked bullets equally I would not recomend the Tarus. It is 4 times looser than my Smith & Wesson 44mag and 2 times looser than my DW 44mag. What ever you decide check it for lockup first I ordered mine new and didnt have the option.

Good Luck.