I own a 454 SRH w/ 7.5" barrel and love it although recoil is pretty harsh. The way I understand things from other owners, the kick of the 9.5 is a little less but you'll also gain some velocity with some tinkering of your handloads if you can deal with the extra two inches of tube. My current load is 36gr of H110 pushing a Freedom Arms 260 Gr JFP. Shoots just under 1900 at the muzzle with good groups, outstanding performance on hogs.

What difference in ballistics should I expected between a 7.5" barrel and a 9.5" barrel. I plan on getting a .454 or the .480. Any pros and cons on these calibers are welcome. I will reload, hunt deer,wild hogs and some paper targets. Thanks, KP.

Mississippian,

I have hunter quite a bit with both rounds and would have to say I like the 480 Ruger over the 454.

In all honesty, they both will do the exact same thing, especially since you will load your own rounds.

Here is why I would choose the 480 over the 454.

First off, under hunting conditions, no ear protection, the 480 is much softer on the ears then the 454.

Second, recoil of the 480 is much less stingy compared to the 454. With full tilt handloads I would say the 480 will recoil just as hard as the 454, just not as quickly, this quick recoil is what makes you feel the slap in your palm that hurts.

The 480 can be loaded with very heavy bullets. My personal favorite is the 425 gr bullet from Cast Performance over 20.5 gr H-LilGun. The 480 will easily get +1200 fps with the 425 gr class bullets which is just about what the 454 will ddo with the 400 gr class bullets but at much less pressures.

The 480 is much easier to down load for small game hunting where as the 454 can get a little pissy with less then top end loads.

I would also go with the 7 1/2" barrel. It is true that the 9 1/2" pipe will produce more velocity but not enough to make up for its awkwardness in the field. Personally, I wish they make a 6" version.

Remember velocity means very little when your throwing a heavy cast bullet, anything over 1000 fps will fully penetrate even elk size game when we are dealing with 400 gr bullets and heavier.

Both will flat hammer any of the game you list you will be hunting, I just like the 480. I do not dislike the 454 at all, just like the 480 in the SRH better.

I have a 12" Encore chambered in the 454 and I load it with the 395 gr cast performance bullet to well over 1700 fps. It is without a doubt the most painfull handgun I own to shoot.

Still, I would use the 480 over that handgun anyday, and if I really needed a hammer at close range I would use my 50 A.E. Encore shooting the 440 gr CP to 1600 fps.

Hell better yet, get one of each!!!

Good Shooting!!!

50

I have a 7.5" 454 ,so with 9.5" you'll get a little more velocity and a longer site plain if you shoot with iron sights. For me the 7.5" was long enough- handle both if your dealer has them an see which one feels the best- I love mine and it fits me perfectly! With either caliber you'll be set for what you want to shoot!