Thanks for the information. I was leaning toward the 7.5 .480. Im in no rush so I will try to find some folks who would let me join them at the range.

Where in MS are you located? I'm in the Jackson area.

That is a great choice. I have that exact gun. It is great. The 9.5" is a little long for easy carry. If you want to scope it stay with 2X. I put on a Bushnell 2x6 but is make the rig heavier.

Have Fun

Hcliff

I know a lot of guys who like the 7.5", but both the 7.5" and the 9.5" are hefty to carry around as a side arm. I have a 9.5" .480 Ruger with a 2x Nikon Monarch on top. Its not little, but points well, feels good, shoots good, and is still lighter than the 12ga pump I carried around before.

If you're going to use the revolver as your primary weapon, then I don't think the length argument is all that important. Pick the one that seems to point/feel best to you.

Jeff

I pack my 7 1/2" 480 about a month a year (camping, fishing, hunting, hicking), with a shoulder rig. I don't find it to be cumbersome, but I wouldn't want to have the barrel any longer, not the gun any heavier. I keep debating having it cut down to 5 or 6 inches, but it shoots so well the way it is, I don't want to loose the shootability. I like the way the 7 1/2" barrel balances, no problems with off hand shooting.

Im in Yazoo City. Lets go shoot something!!

I can't speak of the longer barrel, but I feel that for me the 7.5 is the practical carry limit -- sizewise. That said, I have 2 SRHs, a .480 and a .454. I enjoy shooting both of them as they are both very accurate. The .480 is certainly more pleasant to shoot than the .454 as it pushes while the Casull kicks. The .454 is considerably louder as well. I've hunted with the .480 and while it is loud, it's tolerable without hearing protection. Not looking forward to shooting the .454 without hearing protection. Too bad you don't live in Florida as you could try out my SRHs.

Thanks for the offer but florida is a bit far. This was the first year I have deer hunted in 8 years and I have the bug for a new handgun. I have had a SRH .44, 7.5" for over 10 years and have taken a few deer with it. I am leaning towards the .480 primarily cause of the recoil. Im afraid my trigger control would suffer. The noise is no issue cause I got a pair of walker quad 4's. usually keep them clamped on my head above my ears and when needed will slide them down over my ears. obviously if the big one strolls into the food plot i would not risk spooking him and take one for the team, but i didnt have that happen this past season. also the walker's are nice on the real cold days when the ears get a little cold. anyway, thanks for all the reply's. going to the gunshow in jackson this weekend to see if i can get a deal.

My 9 1/2" .44mag SRH with its 2x6 scope. No complaints from me.

I think the performance potential with the .454 is a bit higher than the .480, but in the .454 you cannot use as large of bullets. But as someone already said, they are so close that I don't think the difference would be noticable in the field.

However, if recoil is your concern, you can shoot .45 long colts in your .454. I do in mine and they perform as well as the .454 loads. I do not think there is a reduced load for the .480.

If you handload, there is also a wider selection of brass and bullets for the .454, at lower prices than the .480.

I see the 454's primary advantage is it's high velocity, and hence longer range potential. It is an honest 150-175 yd gun.

IMHO, the 480 is an ideal iron sighted sixgun round. It has lots of user friendly power, and shoots plenty flat for 75-100 yds, and makes a decent sized tunnel through game as well.

I have read somewhere that the barrels of the 454 and 480 are almost impossible to remove for custom work due to metal problems?

Is this true?

And I've also read a rumor that this is caused by Ruger using a type of glue or something and with a little heat to melt the barrels can be removed by gunsmith?


Thanks!

I don't know, so can't say one way or the other about barrel removal. I can say that I know of two .454 SRHs Mag-Na-Port has customized. Therefore, I know some work can be done.

Yes and no depending on which gunsmith you talk to. Send it to either Jim Stroh or Jack Huntington and I bet they can remove the barrel with little trouble.

Quote:

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I have read somewhere that the barrels of the 454 and 480 are almost impossible to remove for custom work due to metal problems?

Is this true?

And I've also read a rumor that this is caused by Ruger using a type of glue or something and with a little heat to melt the barrels can be removed by gunsmith?


Thanks!

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