groo
.327 Meteor
I yet live!!!!
Posts: 855
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Post by groo on Mar 17, 2020 12:08:36 GMT -5
Groo here Ifyour hunting ,thats one thing. If your target shooting, that is another . If it is for all around ,,WELL? ?? "Mid" Bore As you CAN shoot 44mag and do shoot 45acp your not a "NEW" shooter. First , long range with scope , a 41mag. Accurate, made on smaller lighter frames for carry, easy to load for, works. "Big" Bore The 454/460 is a specialist gun as the loads require some care,bullets are special [to take the pressures] and they eat scope . From here we get into the "Bigger bore" The 475/480 Boolits are harder to find and cost more. BUT even a "Target" load will take deer easy. The 500 is a class of its own. Big , pricy, "can kick like a 454-460 [load depended] but "Bunny fart" loads drop deer. The thing is : How much weight can you carry?[how heavy/big/long] How much kick can you stand?[full power ] How far away will you shoot? how fast it needs to go] The farther you shoot the faster/ smaller bore/ longer barrel/heaverframe you need. The closer , the bigger the bore/ the larger the frame,,,but the shorter the barrel and lighter the load. I have most of them and would pick a 41mag for lighter weight and a "bigger bore" for heaver. The "Best" all around would be a 475 for range and power and/or 480.[ Mich like a 38/357 or 44spec/44 mag combo......
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Post by Frank V on Mar 17, 2020 12:12:01 GMT -5
Flyingscot, welcome. You mentioned fun & what except for elk is medium game. I may get blasted, but I'm going to suggest one that will fill your needs. It's been around a long time, the good old .44 Special. It's a favorite & will handle the tasks you've listed. It'll do it without dragging your pants down around your knees. In the fun catigory it's tops light loads=fun & accuracy, heavier loads for hunting, and you're there. Good shooting.
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Post by whitworth on Mar 17, 2020 12:58:52 GMT -5
Flyingscot, welcome. You mentioned fun & what except for elk is medium game. I may get blasted, but I'm going to suggest one that will fill your needs. It's been around a long time, the good old .44 Special. It's a favorite & will handle the tasks you've listed. It'll do it without dragging your pants down around your knees. In the fun catigory it's tops light loads=fun & accuracy, heavier loads for hunting, and you're there. Good shooting. I understood that he is looking for a step up from the .44 Magnum.
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Post by sixshot on Mar 17, 2020 17:11:43 GMT -5
If you're looking for something bigger than a 44 magnum let your recoil level answer the question, not the caliber. You have to be able to handle what ever you are shooting so the answer is, shoot whatever you can handle not what someone else likes. You said bigger than the 44 magnum, which has killed everything on the planet with proper loads.
We know it can be done because the 44 has done it, multiple times, so lets step up to the wonderful, and powerful 45. This caliber in a bisley type frame & correct bullets can go beyond the 44 magnum in spite of what some will tell you on paper. It's a magnificent caliber & if you shoot nothing bigger than elk you are probably onto something. If you are recoil proof & still comfortable then step up to the great 480 & a great selection of bullets than can work wonders at 900- 1250 fps depending on your recoil tolerance. If you are 100% comfortable with a 475, then you are ahead of the game....just be sure!
The main thing is, don't work yourself into a flinch trying to be Superman, many guys flinch with big guns whether they want to admit it or not. Everyone can miss but a bad flinch is something totally different & something that takes a long time to correct so don't over gun yourself just because someone else can shoot a bigger gun. There's a difference between a miss & a "flinch miss", a big difference!!!!
Find your comfortable limit & live with it & you will be a happy & successful handgun hunter.
Dick
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Post by 98redline on Mar 17, 2020 17:15:30 GMT -5
Flying Scott: Once you make your handgun choice don't forget a good leather chest holster for field use. Our own Doc Barranti crafts two gorgeous "Northwest Hunter" and "Northeast Hunter" chest rigs that will enhance any custom big bore single action. Simply Rugged Holsters has several dedicated leather chest rigs and a "Chesty Puller" suspension system for chest mounting their standard pancake holsters. Diamond D Leather also makes an excellent "Guides Choice" leather chest holster for wearing over heavy-duty cold climate coats. This is another fun trade-off, figuring out the best carrying system for your new big-bore single-action revolver. In my opinion lined leather is the only way to carry a high-cost custom or production revolver with Kydex material not an option. J.D. Press Don't forget the Ringler Custom Leather Wyoming Combo Holster. Makes packing a big heavy revolver a real joy.
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Post by bigbrowndog on Mar 17, 2020 17:17:06 GMT -5
Dick, makes a good point....... I assumed you can/could handle heavier recoil that was an oversight. Proper placement of a proper bullet is more effective than increased bullet diameter.
Trapr
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Post by kevshell on Mar 17, 2020 18:39:27 GMT -5
Others who have answered have far more experience than I. However I will share my experience and thoughts. While considering caliber/cartridge consider the vehicle. I have a few 629's that I like a lot. I'm personally happy with not owning a S&W larger than 44. I also have several Freedom Arms 454's as well as a Freedom Arms 500 Wyoming Express. My buddy has a S&W 460. My buddy and I have shot the same 454 load from his S&W and then from my FA. I really like my FA's and he really likes his S&W. But neither of us would buy the other's revolver. He doesn't like the roll and his revolver makes my palm and elbow hurt after 2 cylinders full. I've shot 40 rounds with my FA and yes I could feel it, his revolver left me feeling like I would develop a flinch. That said, I'll agree with others that the 454 is extremely versatile going from small charges of fast pistol powder to whateveryou can tolerate. But if you don't care what makes logical sense, go big and load it up or down to your comfort level. You don't have to throw a hammer too hard to do a lot of damage. There's just a fun factor of big bores.
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cmillard
.375 Atomic
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Posts: 1,943
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Post by cmillard on Mar 17, 2020 19:52:49 GMT -5
.454 BFR
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Post by seancass on Mar 17, 2020 20:05:40 GMT -5
Fun conversation here! Guess I'll throw in... The one that really comes to mind is one I don't even own: A 5-shot custom Ruger in 45C. Maybe swap in a FA in 45, but more likely an FA in 454. I find BFR's to be too big. Sure, they soak up recoil, but they feel huge to me. That said, they're incredibly accurate and easy to shoot, right out of the box! My 480 Ruger Blackhawk has been for sale for a long time. It does nothing for me, which is kind of sad. There's nothing wrong with it, but a my 44 is better for light loads and my 50's are better for heavy. It just fails to fit a niche. Oh, and the factory trigger was hot garbage. Apparently it showed signs of being very accurate, but has since sat around gather dust. I want to say that my FA in 500JRH was the perfect step above 44 magnum, but with full-power loads the recoil is just brutal. I think 45-caliber is your answer. Pick your platform. The Ruger has a familiar grip, but isn't a step up in quality control. The Freedom Arms M83 is a huge step up in precision manufacture, but a good jump in price too. The BFR is in incredible goldilocks right in the middle, high quality, without the high price. My opinions on BFR vs FA vs Ruger all at once here: singleactions.proboards.com/thread/16090/musing-on-454-platforms
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Post by x101airborne on Mar 18, 2020 18:39:59 GMT -5
500 S&W or similar. You can load down to powder puff loads in a large revolver and step up as you get comfortable with the same cartridge / loading setup. I shot one standing up at a coyote at 200 yards. No, I never hit it, but I worried the hell out of him. With full power factory loads I did not find recoil uncomfortable, but I was standing and 6'1" and 210 pounds, it made me take a step back every round fired. It is a giant "push", not a hard recoil (in the x frame Smith of course).
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Post by bigwoolie on Mar 18, 2020 22:18:53 GMT -5
I did that once, went from .44 up to .454 Casull. I eventually went back down to the good ol' tried and true .44. I hated the sharp twisting recoil of the .454. I do enjoy the .460 Rowland too.
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Post by FlyingScot on Mar 19, 2020 10:19:07 GMT -5
Really appreciate the feedback! 480 is pretty wonderful. 475 and 500JRH are brilliant - with a bit of recoil as the cost. 475 Special is super cool too. Something to note is that a custom revolver built for you is really the "next step" regardless of the caliber. The bench work of the high grade handgun builders is what makes the difference, and with any of the big bore cartridges you can load from light target loads up to bloody nostril stomper loads. As far as I can tell you, the custom big bore wheel guns are where it's at. As far as meat damage goes, use wide flat nose hard cast bullets and you'll be able to eat right up to the bullet hole. I would love a custom, but that's a "one-day, just not to-day" proposition. Anyways, if I'm going to find out I'm a recoil weenie with the bigger bores, I'd certainly like to find out in a way that doesn't involve having to turn around and sell a bespoke piece! I, like so many here own several calibers mentioned,, and in different brands. Like others,, the 480 is often mis-understood by many,, and serious shooters have found it to be a heck of a great caliber & game getter. Accuracy is really good too. But you mentioned the "issues" about fit & finish" yet,, a lot of us haven't found any problems with them. Recoil usually surprises most folks,, who expect a harder kick,, only to find the .480 isn't as bad as they expected. Reloading components are more limited in this caliber over several others though. And to mount a scope or whatever,, the rear sight would have to come off. And that caliber is a real step up from 44 mag. But,, your first gun mentioned,, the Ruger Bisley SBK Hunter may well fit your desires. The ease of scope mounting,, the ability to work all over the reloading range & enjoy that journey is what makes that one stand out. Lots & lots of bullets, powders etc to play with there. And you can go from mild to wild too. Trigger pull; Yes,, almost any production type gun can benefit from a good trigger job. Buy a Freedom Arms,, and you will get it already done. But you do pay much more for the FA. As for cylinder reaming,, a lot has been done at Ruger to help correct this issue,, and many do not need it. It's mostly when folks shoot cast bullets that this becomes more critical. And if that is necessary,, it's EASY to get done. Our own member here,, 2dogs, (Fermin Garza) does it, and is inexpensive, & doesn't require shipping the whole gun, just the cylinder. Fit & finish on the 3 Ruger Hunters I own,, is very, very good. To fit the criteria you mentioned,, I'd look hard at a 45 cal or a 454 cal. But,, if you get a 454,, the ONLY big difference I've notices seems to be a snappier felt recoil over the 45 Colt or the 480. Maybe instead of just reading about such calibers & guns,, you could find someone to let you shoot a few different ones to see what YOU prefer? If you happen to live anywhere near me,, (I'm in WNC) I'd be glad to let you try several. Greatly appreciate the invite, but I'm in the Houston, TX area. I would most certainly like to try before I buy, but none of my shooting acquaintances have dipped their toes into the big bore waters (or revolvers at all, really), I wouldn't know where to start finding someone with one or more of these in their safe. Dick, makes a good point....... I assumed you can/could handle heavier recoil that was an oversight. Proper placement of a proper bullet is more effective than increased bullet diameter. Trapr I'm comfortable with the heavier side of .44 mag, but that is the extent of my experience. I know that excluding than the .45C, the others mentioned are in another league recoil-wise, at least when loaded to their potential. I'm completely fine rolling myself some low end loads in whatever I get and working my way up to whatever my recoil threshold is.
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Snyd
.375 Atomic
The Last Frontier
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Post by Snyd on Mar 19, 2020 10:26:32 GMT -5
Get a Freedom Arms 454. The only problem with the 83' 454 is that, if a guy is honest... it's the only gun you need!
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cmillard
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Post by cmillard on Mar 19, 2020 15:57:09 GMT -5
Great thing with the .454 is, you don’t have to shoot .454 casull. Just shoot .45 colt and you are good to go.
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Post by sixshot on Mar 19, 2020 20:50:32 GMT -5
We've covered a lot of ground here but one thing that hasn't been mentioned when we step up in recoil, even for those that have no problem with the 44 magnum & beyond. It's not hard to shoot some of the big boys off of sandbags, sticks, Bog Pods with PSR's, off the shelf of a platform blind, etc. But, here's something to remember about recoil & a moving target.
Regardless of whether you are shooting an iron sighted gun or a scoped gun it's very important to remember that the gun can get you if you don't stay BEHIND it! If your target is a deer, hog, etc & you are tracking it in your sights of choice it's very important to remind yourself that recoil is headed your way if you turn your gun just a little bit & don't keep your arms in line with your wrists. Bad thing can happen, especially if you are tracking from left to right. But it can get you moving either way. That horsepower/recoil comes at a price & can easily get you in the head/face if you aren't careful, beware!
Many, many years ago when I was in the military & stationed in Texas me & a friend were driving some shady back roads & Travis spotted an Armadillo. I stopped & his S&W 44 magnum eased out the window & he started tracking the slow moving Armadillo left to right. At the shot the gun came back in the window & smacked him in the forehead & the blood flew everywhere. My first thought was, he had shot himself! There was no possibility of that but it happened so fast I couldn't think of anything else. That front sight actually knocked him out for several seconds.
Years later he visited me in Idaho on his way to Alaska where he killed a large bull moose with that same 44 magnum. The first thing he mentioned was that Texas Armadillo!
Dick
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