I have a Ruger SRH .44 mag with a 7.5" barrel and it's very accurate. I personally think the 9.5 " is a little long. With 200 grain XTPs it's a pleasure to shoot, recoil is not bad because of the lighter load and it's rather heavy gun. I may go to 240 or 250 grain loads later, but want more practice with the 200s.

The .454 is a beast! I'd follow the advice these other folks offer...start out light.