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Post by 45MAN on Jan 23, 2019 7:52:31 GMT -5
THE ALASKAN, AND OTHER SHORT BARRELED "BEAR REVOLVERS", LOSE WEIGHT IN EXCHANGE FOR CONTROLABILITY AND VELOCITY. ME, IF I WAS WORRIED ABOUT A BEAR CHEWING ON MY ASS, A FEW OUNCES OF XTRA GUN WEIGHT WOULD BE THE LEAST OF MY WORRIES. WHEN I GO BEAR HUNTING IN ALASKA I TAKE A SCOPED MNP STALKER FA 454 FOR THE HUNTING, AND NOW CARRY MY REDHAWK LINEBAUGH 5 1/2 INCH MAG-NA-PORTED 45 COLT IN A CHEST HOLSTER. NONETHELESS, TO EACH HIS OWN, AND YOU GUYS EVEN HAVE ME THINKING ABOUT A 480 ALASKAN.
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Post by magnumwheelman on Jan 23, 2019 8:43:23 GMT -5
I don't look at the Alaskans as "hunting" guns... more of a back up "get off me" gun... my thoughts, are the short barrel could be handier if the encounter gets combat close... might be nice to have a 6" barrel at 50ft... but at 5 ft, I'd rather have a double action snubbie... a 4" 480 a compromise???
I find the Alaskans very shootable at medium to close distances, & better than one would think from the barrel length
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Post by bula on Jan 23, 2019 10:05:54 GMT -5
The deciding factors will be money and my hand size. Will have to see how it fits my hand, how well I can engage the trigger for DA shooting. Loads and recoil have been dealt with as this would be my 3rd Ruger 480. Two BSBH's live here and 3rd order of 500 bullets inbound now. A 44spec Bulldog and a 4.2" M69 fills this niche now, looking bigger, yeah, mostly just because. Recently chose the M69, L-frame over the N-frames due to fit mostly, but the 4.2" isn;t pocket friendly and it's not quite filling the role I had in mind. So if not happy with grip fit, reach to trigger plan-b may be the shorter barreled M69. Know Paul105 loves his ! Last night at work did some googling and found prices higher than thought, yup, sticker shock. Funny though, a lgs in the next county where I grew up seems to have s used one..hmmnnn... The gun would be for fishing, atv, around camp after dark dog walks. To some extant the 4 5/8ths BSBH 480 has filled the niche. When back from hunting with the 6.5" 480 I'll swap over to the shorter. If I would be trailing after dark or helping someone such, would swap to the smaller lighter gun, etc.. I know I put up a similar thread pretty much yearly, the itch just won't go away ! Thanks for info and opinions all.
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Post by bula on Jan 23, 2019 10:37:29 GMT -5
An if Ruger would have put the 480 in that little bolt action carbine they put the Bushsmaster in..sigh. We'd have another conversation !
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Post by magnumwheelman on Jan 23, 2019 12:10:49 GMT -5
I'd jump on that...
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Post by Alaskan454 on Jan 23, 2019 12:51:38 GMT -5
I used to shoot my 454 Alaskan at 100 yards on the regular. No trouble hitting 18x24 plates SA or DA. It mostly comes down to the sight picture. Get a decent set of sights that work for your eyes.
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Post by bula on Jan 23, 2019 12:55:30 GMT -5
Ooooh..too late for my eyes. Having horrible time adjusting to 2 new sets of first ever glasses. Minute of bear, across the fire... Recall warning shot across a fire with a grumpy black bear prowling the night years ago. Lamentation Run area of Forest County Penn.. Thanks.
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Post by whitworth on Jan 23, 2019 13:48:47 GMT -5
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Post by dougader on Jan 23, 2019 17:07:44 GMT -5
I was planning on getting a 480 Alaskan to have Bowen make up into their GP44/GP480 but decided, for the $$$, I'd just grab a CDNN SRH in 480 and have the barrel cut down instead. I missed the huge sale of the SRH 480 at CDNN for $599, but did manage to grab one at $699. Was going to send it off to JRH first thing, then I shot the darn thing. I like it so much as-is I just can't bring myself to cut down the barrel. I wish they offered the Alaskan in a 4" or 4.5" model in addition to their snubby. Frankly, I thought my 454 Alaskan was easier to manage than either of my 7.5" SRH 454's. .
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akray
.30 Stingray
"Alaska is what the Wild West was"
Posts: 388
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Post by akray on Jan 24, 2019 15:33:00 GMT -5
The Ruger Toklat is the Alaskan with a 5" slab sided barrel, and it's chambered in 454 Casull. It comes from the factory with scope rings if you want to go that route. It's a very shootable package, especially when you consider that you're getting 454 Casull performance. It's also afforable, being in the $750 to $900 range on the used market. I look at it as having more of the good things that the Alaskan offers.
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Post by dougader on Jan 24, 2019 19:24:57 GMT -5
I hate, hate, hate the Toklat.
Ugly, slab sided, skinny barrel that matches a K frame 38 Special more than a major caliber revolver with the beefiest frame in the business.
Wrong caliber.
Unnecessary/unneeded scope ring slots
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boots
.240 Incinerator
Posts: 54
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Post by boots on Jan 24, 2019 22:11:38 GMT -5
I agree the Toklat is UGLY. Wish it had the Alaska profile.
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Post by bula on Jan 24, 2019 22:43:33 GMT -5
Gotta admit though, if things got as desperate as to using your revolver for pistol whipping a bear...lol. I'd want a Tolklat then..
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Post by warhawk on Jan 25, 2019 3:58:02 GMT -5
I wish Ruger would build the Bowen GP44 as a factory gun.
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Post by matt56 on Jan 26, 2019 15:45:15 GMT -5
I don't know what they usually cost but there is an LGS around here that has a new 480 Alaskan "on-sale" for $855.00 plus tax. They have had it a while
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