480 Alaskans

[bulasteve]

Ok, so just how shootable, usable are they for everyday use ? How far down have you loaded yours ? How far up, and still any chance of fast follow-ups shots ? A 480 Alaskan still somewhere on my wish list..and prayers maybe answered soon..

[cmonti77]

I had one about a year ago, but sold it after firing only a few rounds out of it. I only fired Speer 325 grain factory ammo out of it. I don't think the 480 Ruger is a practical caliber for everyday use or concealed carry, unless you live in Grizzly territory. I also have a Super Redhawk in 480 that I had shortened to 6 inches and magnaported. Oddly, the Alaskan seemed to recoil less than the 6-incher, but quick follow-up shots I think might still be asking a lot.

Here's an article about reduced loads and custom lightweight slugs for the 480 Ruger: www.wa4cyp.com/480.htm

[magnumwheelman]

I have a 480 Alaskan... love the gun & cartridge... albeit I don't shoot it much... but that has more to do with free time right now, than recoil... I've mostly shot midlevel handloads in mine so far... but do have some bear level loads load as well

[whitworth]

The longer barreled gun should kick harder as it produces more velocity. The short barrel may seems like it is kicking more as a result of an increase in muzzle blast. I had a .480 Alaskan and it was surprisingly accurate piece. I never developed loads for it as I moved it down the road before I got to that point.

[seak89]

I had the 454 Alaskan and it shot well but with bear loads became to much for me at 68 with bad wrist. I don't think the 480 would be as much of wrist flipper as the 454.

[magnumwheelman]

I also have a 454 Alaskan, & I don't think physically there is too much difference in recoil between the two... 454 a little more "snappy", 480 more "pushy"

454 has much more abusive muzzle blast though...

[paul105]

Here's a thread I started back in Aug of2014 -- I think you'll find it useful.

singleactions.proboards.com/thread/13442/ruger-super-redhawk-alaskan-480

Paul

[bulasteve]

Thank you Paul ! I sent the whole thread into my favorites to keep handy.

[Dad45]

i too want one in 480 but Ruger has not run these for a bit, does anyone know if they may be getting close to another run?

[Alaskan454]

I don't have a 480 but eventually would like to get one. As for quick shooting you can do pretty well even with hot loads. I shot two IDPA matches with my 454 this year and did pretty well. I shot near max loads and recoil was quite manageable with the factory grip.

[cmonti77]

Sept 22, 2016 19:50:09 GMT -5 Dad45 said:

i too want one in 480 but Ruger has not run these for a bit, does anyone know if they may be getting close to another run?

There are a bunch of them available on Gunbroker right now.

[groo]

Groo here
The nice thing about a 480 [or bigger] is that even trailboss loads will kick the snot out of most any deer.

[bulasteve]

Nicely put Groo ! Am getting ready to run a test loading of two loads for deer hunting, both using a grooveless 355gr bullet. I'm gonna try TB and 9 to 10grs of Unique or what I think will be equivelant of Power Pistol. I've seated the grooved version of this bullet that goes 335 grs up over the shoulder and with only 8grs of Unique it easilly slaps thru both sides of a new steel drum. This with the 6.5" BSBH.

[groo]

Groo here
A quick tip...
Use a fill to the base of the bullet load of TB, a heavy crimp , and hot [win or mag] primers.
Saves a lot of time finding a good load.
You should get between 750 and 900 fps depending on bullet weight and barrel length.

[Quick Draw McGraw]

This thread is no making me want a .480 Alaskan. Damn!