454 Casull ???

[JR2]

Okay all you gun guys I am going to buy my self a hand cannon this week. I want a big "bear pistol" for my adventures in the out back of Alaska. Any one got one of these?? What brand?? I am looking at the Ruger Super Blackhawk and the Tarus. Any one have an opinon??

 

[Shrimpy]

I'm not very knowledgeable about hand guns but my roomate had a Desert Eagle Auto mag. It was a . 44 magnum fully automatic. He said that Clint Eastwood used on in one of the Dirty Harry flicks or Magnum Force. I never shot it but it sure looked impressive!!! I believe that it is Israile (sp) built, pretty high quality. Not sure of the price though.

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92 Ext. Cab, Auto trans. , 3. 54 Non-LS, Isspro Tach, 16 cm housing, PW injectors, no name 3 Gauge cluster, 230,000+ miles, straight pipe, old and abused but still running strong!!!!

 

[LSMITH]

JR2, a friend has the Taurus. It is not pleasant to shoot. I shot it twice at an indoor range and the noise combined with healthy recoil made me put it down, but I definately would rather be deaf than eaten by a bear! The recoil was not nearly as bad as I expected, a 44 mag S&W Mountain Gun is a LOT worse. The only thing I did not like about the Taurus is the cylinder release, it takes two hands and is a real pain. The ported barrel also makes for painful noise levels even with earplugs in. The Ruger is strong enough without dual latches. I have not shot a Ruger 454 yet, but that is where I would spend my money.

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99 2500 QC 4X4 AUTO SB 24V LARAMIE SLT 3. 5 LSD 285-75-16'S SPA Boost/EGT Everything but leather NRA Member Great Lakes TDR Member

 

[John]

Desert Egale... my favorite semi-auto! Especially in 50 AE... hot loaded 44 mags run a close second though.

I really like the 454 Casull in the Freedom Arms single actions. Made in Freedom, Wyoming. Quality superior to all others! And it'll cost ya.

Still, for personal protection I like my H&K P7 M10 (not good enough for large furry predators that can eat you though).

[This message has been edited by John (edited 04-02-2001). ]

 

[Straight6Jeff]

I have the Ruger Super redhawk 454 casull. Yeah, it is a hand cannon #ad
#ad


You can get used to the recoil if you have a soft stance. Definitely fun to shoot. Ammo is a bit pricey, so hopefuly you reload. AND you can reload them hotter than factory ammo.

Go with the Ruger, it is a quality piece. Freedom Arms makes a REALLY nice one if 2K is in your budget

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01 2500 V-10 4x2 QC/LB, 4. 10, Ruenel Bumper/brush guard, RS 9000's, 2" frt springs 1500#/in, KC Daylighters, Rhino Liner, Spin Tech Muffler, DD 4" Tail, 265 BFG A/T, Lots more to come

 

[Bigsaint]

I would also lean towards the Ruger, I've had and still have alot of them, although my largest is only . 44 mag. Ruger makes a great firearm and their relvolvers are as tough as nails. Should be no problem for the Super Redhawk to withstand the pressures of the . 454 Casull. I've seen the Freedom Arms S. A. 's and the quaility is incredible, unfortunately, so is the price tag.

Scott W.

 

[arlan]

As no one has mentioned it there is a fairly new cartridge out that is more powerful than the . 44 magnum and just slightly less than the . 454 Casull and that is the . 480 Ruger. If recoil is going to be a factor then this might be a consideration.

Arlan

 

[CUMINNTSTRKN]

it depends on how hot you want to load the rounds. if your are planning on running max loads for any amount of time get the Freedom Arms. the ruger will hold up fine to factory rounds and slight hotrodding. the problem is that the frame stretches on the ruger. find a used freedom arms for around 1200-1500.

jim

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if it ain't broke fix it till it is!!
2001 eth, ez box, dd2's
My Ram Pics

 

[JTBMC]

JR2 Check out Gary Reeder Custom Guns at www.reedercustomguns.com. He's located in Flagstaff,Az. 1-520-526-1287. I have a 454 Ruger and love it,but she is brutal.

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1999 Quad Cab 4X4 1 Ton Cummins, Auto 3. 55 LSD K&N D&D#1'S stright piped w/ resonator. Smittybilt Outland Grill Guard,Nerf Bars & Rhino Liner W/ Reese 5VR & G/N hitch.

 

[Sled Puller]

If you are stretching frames on a Ruger, would you not think it is a touch hot? Do the handload books show loads that hot?
I have always felt Rugers were overbuilt, and kind of clunky. That is impressive, (and scary!!) to abuse a gun that way.

Another question, handloading that hot, what is the advantage? Just curious.
You may be giving BOMB back its REAL definition!!!
Gene

 

[The patriot]

JR2 I have a S&W 629 4" and a Dan Wesson 6" 44 mag. The Dan Wesson is a bit bulkier, but much more pleasant to shoot. I come away almost bleeding after an afternoon with the S&W.
I'd stick with the 44 mag unless youre handloading.
IMO the 44 mag is suffice for a defense against bears. Use heavy 300 gr ish bullets.
The Casull would be better if there is more distance between you and the animal, as in hunting.
Before you go out in the bush, make yourself intimately familiar with whatever you choose.
Eric

 

[Switca]

Two thoughts:

For bear, I always liked big things, life a rifle. There are a lot of cheap Mauser retreads in 308 and 30-06.

As for a pistol, have you considered a Thompson Contender? For a small handfull of $, you can get new barrels.

 

[Dave B]

Get the new Super Red Hawk in . 480 Ruger... . less recoil than the 454 and way more punch than a . 44 mag. Check it out in this months American Rifleman... YEEHAW.

 

[CUMINNTSTRKN]

mgm

why bomb a diesel? the fa gun is tested at the factory with a full case of unique powder. #ad
when you get bored with the handloading books you can call fa and they will send info on there hot loads. the problem with the hot loads is recoil.

the ruger is the best second choice.
the taurus is the weeker of the three.




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if it ain't broke fix it till it is!!
2001 eth, ez box, dd2's
My Ram Pics

 

[Bigsaint]

CUMINNTSTRKN, I was just reading about your quote on the Ruger's and frame stretching and was curious where you got that info ? I'm not second guessing, just would like to read the report. It reminds me of Ruger's short stint with the Super Blackhawk and the . 357 Maximum. I think the problem there was flame cutting the frame though. The Super Redhawk is one massive firearm, compare it to the Freedom Arms and I can't see how the Freedom Arms is any stronger when you look at the frames of both. Also, I belive that the Ruger locks the cylinder up in the front and rear, does the Freedom Arms do this ? For fit and finish, the Freedom Arms wins hands down.
Eric, I forgot about the Dan Wesson. I had a 744 6" for many years and that is also a great revolver. For those of you don't handload, check out http://www.cor-bon.com/44magnum.html . They sell a 320 Gr. flat point hardcast that should do the job if your packing a . 44 mag in bear country.
Forgot to add, the T/C Encore is a good choice if you want a single shot, although it wouldn't be first pick for a "bear defense handgun" . Check out http://www.sskindustries.com/encore.html for the TRUE handcannons .

Scott W.


[This message has been edited by Bigsaint (edited 04-03-2001). ]

 

[JR2]

Thanks for the info guys, I think I am leaning towards the Ruger. Since I am not going to shoot this thing much (hopefully I don't see that many bears charging me). The only draw back I see is that the ruger has a 7. 5 in barrel. Is it a big deal to have someone (a qualified gunsmith) cut it off and move the front sight back?? What do you think of having the gun ported also?? I see that the tarus is ported from the factory.

 

[Sled Puller]

Call me a wimp, but I guess I like my firewall between me and the BOMB!
It just seems to me if you are stretching a frame, it must be riding the ragged edge of disaster, but my expertise only goes to the MEC shotshell loader!

We need to have a TDR shoot someday, as it seems most of us love guns as much as our trucks!
Gene

 

[LSMITH]

JR2, Mag-Na-Port can cut the barrel back and put a new sight on for you and do the porting. I really recommend against porting on a defense gun, especially a cannon. IF you ever really need it you may not be able to get it into the best position to fire it. I have seen the fire and powder particles flying out of 44's and a 454, believe me you want that at least an arms lenght away. The other thing to consider is that if it is fired in low light conditions you will be blind after the first shot. A revolver is bad enough, but porting puts that much more fire right in you focus. If it were me I would opt for a short 12GA pump gun full of slugs on a safari sling or tied to my pack with a breakaway type rig. With the 12GA you would only be adding a pound or two to the total weight as the ruger is very heavy. You can also buy a pair of pump guns and a spare for the same amount of money. Porting works very well to control muzzle rise, but for an application like this I think the disadvantages outweigh the advantages and a pistol is WAY harder to control anyway when you are busy loading your drawers. MHO.

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

SSK industries (address above) can also shorten barrels and put on muzzle brakes (true muzzle brakes) or port the barrel if you wish. I had them add a muzzle brake to the end of my barrel and refinish the whole thing - it looks perfect. Bigsaint is right - they are the true handcannons out there, but I wouldn't want one in bear country - I would want to be able to get off more than one shot! #ad
Here's my handcannon - I can shoot one 1" groups with it at 200 yards and it shoot a 200 gr . 338 at over 2400 fps (. 444 marlin case).

#ad

 

[Bigsaint]

Steve, nice handcannon. I was going to ask you about accuracy loss with the bipod mounted on the barrel, then read " 1" at 200 Yds. " #ad
Do you reform your . 338/. 444 cases via special dies or is it necessary to purchase the brass from SSK ?

Scott W.