What to use? NEW ENTRY

I have a dilemma, I drew my spring bear tag for eastern OR but I can't decide which revolver to use. I will be doing a combination of calling and spot and stalk. I will have my 300WM Encore with 165gr Barnes TSX bullets running right at 2800fps riding in my back pack for long shots but I'm hung up on my shorter range gun. It's between my trusty 454 which has taken elk and deer and my 500 Linebaugh. The 500 hasn't taken any game yet so it's the one I'm leaning towards but since this is a draw hunt I'm torn with my proven 454 that I have a lot of confidence in. I built both guns and they are both accurate. The 454 is shooting 300gr Partitions around 1600fps and the 500 is running 435gr CP WFN around 1250 fps.

Well then, I'd say it's due Rod ;-)

Good to see ya back, Rod....the other Rod, Rod.

Rod,

Sounds like the 500 needs more "love and attention!"

Doc

Use the 500 or sell it.If you don't trust in it there is no reason to keep it.JMOFO

Glad to see you back around. I'd vote for the 500,it needs love too,and you got him covered if he hangs up out of range of it in spades.

Doesn't sound like you've shot the .500 enough to feel comfortable with it. Like a few other commenters, I suggest you shoot it more until you build the same level of confidence and then take it on the hunt.

If for some reason, you still don't have the confidence, then the .454 is always there.

I think it's all about knowing you can kill game with the gun you have.

Take the big boy. Gotta blood it someday! Knowing you Rod, I have confidence in you.

Thanks guys. I've shot the 500 a lot but just never needed that much gun. The recoil with full house loads is brutal which (for the guys that have known me for all these years} probably sounds unusual. It used to be more recoil was more fun but anymore I like the light hitters like the 454. I've already started another 458 Lott barrel for my encore but I really don't know why. Something about a 350gr 458 cal bullet running 2100fps out of handgun barrel or a 500gr at 1900 that is appealing. I shot both revolvers today at my home range and while I can't shoot as tight of groups with the 500 due to the recoil it is well within hunting limits with fist sized groups at 50yds. I have another revolver project I'd like to take but as of yet I haven't got it where I want it. It's a SS Ruger Old Army 7.5". I've been playing with 230gr and 250gr semi hard cast bullets of my own design. The trick is to get the bullet just the right size to be a friction fit going into the chamber and to get it soft enough to seal but hard enough to penetrate. The other problem I'm dealing with is powder capacity. The first two are handled but the last is going to either take having a new cylinder made or making it myself or going to a duplex load. The latter is tricky when mixing smokeless and black powder. One thing I can say though is that although my velocities aren't where I want them my groups at 50yds with iron sights run right with the red dot equipped 454 and 500.

I would use the 500 if you haven't bloodied it yet. You have everything else covered with the encore.

Obviosly, either gun will do. If it was my decision, I'd use the .500.

NEED is not the question! In reality, ya don't "need" a 454 to take a bear either. Like someone's tag line says, "If you're gonna put a hole in it, it might as well be a big one!" Besides, when you're hunting, you won't feel the recoil anyway!!

Another vote for the Linebaugh to get some action. Good luck Rod!

Sorry I mis-read your post and thought you hadn't shot the .500 enough to be confident with it. Sounds like all the votes are for getting the .500 blooded.

yep it looks to be the winner. The Old Army I am hoping to have up and running for deer season. Start with some lighter hunting with it first.

Take the big boy. The ROA project sounds neat too.....I also have one.

I let you know how it goes with OA, I have had Mountain Moulds make be two so far. One 250gr and one 230. I am working on getting the 230 to 900fps consistently using traditional black powder. I just about have it. That will put it in the same class as standard pressure 45LC loads which are plenty for deer. The difference though is I'm using a lead mix that will act more like a traditional hard cast and give the penetration and bone breaking performance above that of 100% lead bullets normally used. The trick is to mic all of your chambers and make sure they are all the same size. Mine were all within .0005 of each other at .4525-.4530. I also slugged the barrel which came out at .4520 so I went with a LEE .452 sizing die. This combination gives me a bullet with a good seal in both the chamber and barrel. I have had no problems with bullet jump at all. I'll start another post with pics when I get a chance but the bullets have one lube groove, I use a black powder specific lube and it has a meplat that is 80% of the bullet diameter. I'm actually going to do some work tomorrow with the 250gr so maybe I'll get some pics. I also just finished a cool project with a Trapper 50 cal that I am going to be working with.

Sound like a winner Rod. Looking forward to hearing your results.

Well, whatever you decide to take, good luck.

I have a new entry now. While I was down with this last back surgery I decided to take on a project. I decided the Trapper pistol with the spur on the grip would be a good candidate to push. The problem is max suggested load is only 40gr of black powder and they have had problems with stocks splitting when pushed. I decided to buy the kit to make some alterations. When I got the kit I did a dry assembly and sure enough the barrel channel was way to tight and would spread the stock when installed. I opened the channel up until the barrel was loose in the stock and then I glass bedded the barrel and tang. I also opened up the standard European dove tails and installed a full Buckhorn rear sight and a green Hi Viz front sight. So far at 50yds it is a tack driver. The next test was to see if it would break or hold. I started with 35gr of FFF KIK black powder, next was 70gr. Both loads were modest with the first being like a 38 special and the second between a 357 and 44. The last was max I would use. I packed it with 90gr of the same KIK powder which is a bit hotter than GOEX, in fact it's the hottest on the market and is manufactured in The Ukraine. The recoil was something to take notice of and I won't do that again without shooting gloves as I am missing a large piece of flesh from the tange I thought would protect me but the 385gr Hornady Great Plains bullet crossed the chronograph (which about 20 ft out to keep the smoke from causing issues)at 977fps. This puts it in the running too as there are no signs of stress on the gun. I will need to do some more shooting but I have until the first of May to work with it. I'm still leaning toward the 500 but it does make for an interesting scenario with my Custom Traditions Trapper.

Sounds like a great big OUCH!!!! Be care Rod.

Rod... You KNOW the answer! The bigger the better!!! Use the 500 for two reasons. #1 It needs bloodied. #2 You don't have a 600!
It's good to see you (Figuratively speaking...)!

No dilemma as far as I can see. I think you should blood the .500!

Nope. I still vote for the 500. Neat story and info about the trapper, but I still vote 500. The 500 has waited its turn, the Trapper can do the same.

LOL, I'll be sure and tell the Trapper that, The 500 definitely wins out on bear and the two black powder pistols will get proven on deer first and then maybe they will get their turn at the big leagues.

By the way in case I didn't mention it this is the same tiger striped 500 in Whitworth's books.

Cool! For those who have not seen the gun Rod speaks of:

That scope needs to be Cerakoted in the same pattern.Too much contrast

it had a red dot that I cerakoted but it went south but now it has a black red dot on it. The 500 has gotten the call though, with a landslide victory. I hope if I see a bear it's worthy of the 500 and also within range. I like my 300WM Encore but I like being up close with a revolver. The one animal I took with the 300 before trading it off and then getting it back was a 5x6 bull at 253yds but the elk and deer I've killed with my revolvers have all been under 50yds if memory serves and this years buck was lucky if he was at 20. When you hunt on the ground like I do going with spot and stalk that is a bunch of fun. I will probably get a tree stand for this one which will be a first for me.