480 vs 500 jrh

[ak454]

For those of you that have had both, how much more effective is a 440gr 500 jrh vs a 420gr 480 Ruger? I'm talking for grizzly defense and moose hunting. Thinking of parting ways with my S&W 500 long barrel. Is the 50 cal that much better than a 475 cal for these purposes? I know 500jrh head stamped brass is pricey but 475 bullets are harder to source than 50 cal. Thoughts?

[sixshot]

I haven't had the pleasure of touching off a 440 gr slug from a JRH 500 but I'm pretty sure if you can handle the recoil it would be quite a bit better than the 480 if a Grizzly was the intended target. Not sure I agree about 475 bullets being harder to get than 500 bullets.

Dick

[bamagreg]

I have had two 480’s and currently have a 475 Linebaugh and a BFR in 500 JRH. I don’t think the bear or moose will know the difference. I only shoot cast bullets and there are plenty of sources for the in both diameters.

[WARDOG]

I agree with you about ditching the .500 S&W. That X-Frame is just too bulky and heavy. You can get similar performance with the heavies in other cartridges and shave two pounds off your pistol.
I have a .475 LB & .500 JRH. As BAMAGREG says, "I don’t think the bear or moose will know the difference". However...
We have moose around here, and I gotta say, they are a big animal. Apparently we have 3 grizz's in my area too (within two miles) but I haven't seen one yet.
The 'boiler rooms' of each of those creatures are protected with a mass of muscle and ribs. If I am carrying for protection from grizz, my lighter .475 would be my choice. If I was actually hunting either of them, I would take the JRH. Put the two cartridges beside each other and you will see a difference. Overkill is under-rated.

[bigbrowndog]

At bear defense distances, given both rounds id say there won’t be a noticeable difference. For hunting purposes, and handling heavier bullets,.....sure. Given that 480 guns are a bit lighter than an X frame, I’d rather carry the 480 and simply use good bullets, for defensive use. For hunting big stuff or stuff that can kill you, something starting with a 5 would be my first pick.

Trapr

[whitworth]

I’ve used both on numerous game animals up to and including water buffalo and Cape buffalo. As with every caliber, they are only as good as the bullets you use. That said, the JRH is definitely more and capable of more. It also kicks considerably harder when loaded to spec. The .480 is a much better choice for the neophyte, the recoil sensitive and/or someone with smaller stature. It’s definitely a big-game getter however.

My one and only moose was killed with a .500 Linebaugh.

[bula]

"Overkill is under-rated". Gotta remember this'n. I can't imagine lugging around a long barreled S&W 500 for a critter defense gun. A gun you are hoping not to shoot. It chosen to hunt, I get. Have 2 concerns here. A 1st and precise, hopefully only needed shot is desired, But you know an extra 1-2 rounds will be fired. In the case of that 1st shot NOT being precise, we are talking follow up shots. Which is more controllable , quicker for follow ups ? Your call, per experience and skill. 

[ak454]

Thanks for the input guys. I currently carry a Toklat 454 for the purposes mentioned. However, I shoot Ruger Bisleys more accurately, same with S&W N frames. I believe it has to do with the trigger reach. They just work for me. So while I like the Toklat 454 and will keep it, I will probably look for a Ruger Bisley 480 or a 4" 500 S&W x frame. While people hate on the x frame's size, a 4" model is only 6-8ozs heavier than my Toklat and packs 100grs of way larger bullet at the same speed. The BFR Bisley in 500 jrh is 52oz vs The 4" x frame at 56ozs. That's pretty close. The Bisley 480 in 4 5/8s intrigues me though. I appreciate the wealth of info on this forum.

[ak454]

MaxP, I know from reading your articles that you have both Ruger Bisley and the BFR Bisley grip styles. How does the trigger reach feel between the two? Similar or noticeably different? Thanks

[rhino]

This whole bear defense gun has always been a little strange to me. In 1935 a .357 Registered Magnum 8 3/8 inch barrel with a sinful 158 grain bullet going really fast 1550 fps +/- was used, in 1955 the .44 Magnum hit the scene and was used, some time after that a .454 Casull came around and in the 80's a .475/.500 Linbaugh was the new hotness. Has the bears been working out in the gym over the last 85 years or what? If I were to have a .357 Magnum hopefully I would be wearing some brown pants but a .44 Magnum heavy load or a heavy Ruger only .45 Colt should still do the trick with proper bullets. Anyway the last time I was attacked by a grizzly bear I rolled it over and tickled it's belly saying who's a good bear til it went to sleep. 😜 YMMV, Semper Fi.

[rkcohen]

several years ago when I was working in Fairbanks, it seemed that 45-70s, 375 ruger/h&h and 338 winmag were the long-arms of choice..

after that, there were always great and loud arguments about self-defense against bears with handguns..

caliber, single action vs double action and so on, it was more fun than standing up at a nascar event and yelling "quaker state" - and then - watching the follow-on feuds over motor oil with name calling, large, heavy women throwing beer and things said that you would not repeat at church...

you could save some cash and ask to have your current gun re-barreled with something shorter and just load down to jrh levels or if cash is not an issue - get a new bfr in 50jrh (or 500 Linebaugh) and a ruger bisley in 480...

shoot both and then sell the one you don't want...

why not?

[ldmay375]

I agree regarding that the weight of the 4” X-Frame 500 is not that much greater than several other larger bore revolvers that I have.
I bought one to see if my preconceived thoughts of it would hold true. I still feel the same, the revolver is bulkier than I personally care to carry.
As to double actions, I had much rather carry my Toklat or 480 Alaskan than the S&W.
My “like the best” are single actions. Which vary from 4-3/4”, 475 Linebaugh, Rugers in 4-5/8“ 480 Bisley, 3-3/4” 45 Colt Bisley, and 4-5/8” 454/45 Bisley. If I fail to prevent a bear from chewing on me while carrying any of these, I don’t think it will be the fault of the revolver nor bullet.

I would have to say, bigger is probably better regarding the 500 JRH.
The 500 JRH has a lot going for it in my opinion. I like the cartridge, much more than any other 500 that I have knowledge of. Maybe one day I will get one. But, I am really heavy into the .475’s / 480’s.

My infatuation with the 475 Linebaugh began a long time ago. The 480 appreciation began several years ago. I think the 4-5/8” Ruger Bisley is a fantastic companion revolver/cartridge combination. A near perfect match in revolver size and cartridge. A revolver in 475 Linebaugh has the option to give you more than the 480 or give you the 480.
In my opinion, even the 2.5” Alaskan 480 with Buffalo Bore 410 grain hard cast would be pretty potent at 15 yds or so.


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Oct 28, 2020 10:57:14 GMT -5 ak454 said:

Thanks for the input guys. I currently carry a Toklat 454 for the purposes mentioned. However, I shoot Ruger Bisleys more accurately, same with S&W N frames. I believe it has to do with the trigger reach. They just work for me. So while I like the Toklat 454 and will keep it, I will probably look for a Ruger Bisley 480 or a 4" 500 S&W x frame. While people hate on the x frame's size, a 4" model is only 6-8ozs heavier than my Toklat and packs 100grs of way larger bullet at the same speed. The BFR Bisley in 500 jrh is 52oz vs The 4" x frame at 56ozs. That's pretty close. The Bisley 480 in 4 5/8s intrigues me though. I appreciate the wealth of info on this forum.

[Ken O'Neill]

Oct 29, 2020 8:29:16 GMT -5 rhino said:

This whole bear defense gun has always been a little strange to me. In 1935 a .357 Registered Magnum 8 3/8 inch barrel with a sinful 158 grain bullet going really fast 1550 fps +/- was used, in 1955 the .44 Magnum hit the scene and was used, some time after that a .454 Casull came around and in the 80's a .475/.500 Linbaugh was the new hotness. Has the bears been working out in the gym over the last 85 years or what? If I were to have a .357 Magnum hopefully I would be wearing some brown pants but a .44 Magnum heavy load or a heavy Ruger only .45 Colt should still do the trick with proper bullets. Anyway the last time I was attacked by a grizzly bear I rolled it over and tickled it's belly saying who's a good bear til it went to sleep. 😜 YMMV, Semper Fi.

Whatcha been smokin' Rhino?
My "Bear Hunting Gun"revolver is a FA .475 L, and I don't want less. With rifles, I've used a .350 Rem Mag, a .375 H&H, and a .416 Rem Mag. ( Brownies) . I don't want less there, either. Col. Doug Wesson took some ridiculously long shots with his .357; he also wounded a lot of game before it died. That's not for me. I have no experience in tickling them, however.
Semper Fi back atcha.

Ak454, IMO, the .475 L and .500 JRH or WE have very very similar effectiveness on heavy game in the field when using similar weight bullets. The 480 will run about 100 fps behind the .475 L, when loaded to full capability. A 325 gr. 480 falls behind a 400+ gr 500 WE or JRH.

[jgt]

I don't shoot anything but 44s. But when all these new calibers became the latest rage, I looked into them. With only charts to look at in making up one's mind. The foot pounds of energy king was the seldom mentioned .460. Mind you it still depends on the bullet used, but the most energy came not from the heaviest bullet or the largest caliber. In my mind any caliber with a 4 or larger number to start with will do the job with the correct bullet selection for the intended target. If I want to carry "the most powerful handgun in the world", I would take a closer look at one using the .460 cartridge.

[bigbrowndog]

Sadly, THE “most powerful revolver in the World” cannot be carried by any of us. It resides in the nose of an A10 Warthog, so we must endeavor to select something that is both packable, accurate in our hands, and IMO as powerful as we can handle “accurately”. Bears have been killed and Bang/Flopped with a 22lr, however I doubt anyone would consider them adequately armed for bear defence with a 22lr. As our esteemed Mr. Bradshaw commonly quotes, accuracy is king,......and accuracy under duress is much harder than many realize.
I’ve been asked several times by friends going to Alaska or Montana “what is the best, bear gun”. My reply is always, are you hunting or for defense?? Defensively, you’re shooting something from contact distance to maybe 10 yards, any further and you will be under severe scrutiny from authorities, for having shot one of the Kings bears!!! As to Rhinos question of have they gotten tougher, No, but we have better choices in calibers AND projectiles. At contact to 10 yards, I personally would feel “minimally” protected with a properly loaded 357mag, 45acp or 10mm,........a 9mm would NEVER enter my mind as adequate, despite the occurrence of its effectiveness. Luck favors the prepared, but really a 9mm!!!.....it’s difficult to argue with success, but really a 9mm along a stream in Alaska!!!
When it comes down to it, all you have to do is hit a 3x3 or 3x5 inch target And get 3-6 inches of penetration while that target is bobbing and weaving towards you and it’s attached to an angry bear, while you’re probably scared shiffless,.......easy peezy.

Trapr