I've been reading a lot about the .480 and I'm on the verge of ordering a BFR in .475/.480.

The one question I have is how is the recoil level of a .480 as compared to a .44 mag or a hot loaded .45 colt?

They are very similiar in recoil, the 480 has a little bit more due to the larger powder charge and generally heavier bullets but it's easily manageable if you can handle the others.

It's definitely considerably more than the .44. I bought my first .480 when Ruger just released them. That said, when you load it with heavy bullets, it has to kick a bit, but it tends to produce more of a push, and isn't "snappy" like the .454 tends to be.

The .475, loaded to spec, is a different animal alltogether.

It really depends on the platform. My SRH with the Hogue Tamer grip shoots like a pussycat. I shot a BFR once and it was not nearly as pleasant.

What s4s4u said......

Definitely the platform is most crucial, but how you load it is key as well. You can make an SHR bark with heavy bullets!

Amen to that, but there is a marked difference in the way the SRH and BFR transfer recoil to the shooter.

Most definitely! I have two custom SRHs in bigger calibers -- .475 Linebaugh, and .500 Linebaugh, and they are both a lot more painful to shoot then their single action counterparts. My .500 is positively painful after a few rounds. The DA grip frame puts everything it's got right into the web of your hand. In milder recoiling cartridges, like the .44 Mag, and the .480 Ruger, the mass of the SRH absorbs a lot of the potential abuse. I think the SA platform lends itself better to heavy recoiling rounds -- particularly with a Bisley grip frame (which the BFR unfortunately doesn't have).

I've own the 480 in SRH, 480/475 in BFR, and FA with 480 cylinder and 475 cylinder. The 480 SRH was a bugger with the stock grips on it with full loads but when i put the Hogue grips on that helped immensely. The 480/475 BFR i didn't care for shooting, just didn't fit my hands and the grips bit me like hell with the upper end loads. My FA is the perfect fit for me no problems with any load i run through it. If price is a concern i'd go with the SRH with Hogue grips, just my 2 cents worth.

All my hunting revolvers have Hogue grips on them, I like the way they feel, and they help with the recoil.

+1 on the SRH.


But have only used the 325g bullets

My Raging bull 480 is a pussy cat to shoot. It's nicer to shoot then my 44 mag with heavy handloads!

I have the Tamer grips and shot 50 with cast 355s and 420s in one session. You definitely know the difference in the bullet wts. And the recoil is stout but what can you expect. Don't think you can do that with most loads of a 454.

Joe

It is not too bad...


Less than you think.

It is very manageable

With both wearing Hogue's rubber grips, a scoped 71/2" SRH 480, feels about like a 6" Smith 44mag.

Thats about the best I can describe it.

My 480 SRH recoils, but it is manageable. I put Hogue Tamers on it before I fired it. They have really done the job. I have so far had 3 SRH's, and I have put Tamers on all 3.

If you reload, you can start out with reduced power loads using Trail Boss or Unique, and then start working the loads up. This keeps the intimidation factor down.

I have shot 240 full house factory loads out of 29 Smiths that had way worse recoil than anything I have shot out of my 480 SRH. Like was said above more of a big push than a hard sharp recoil.

To me the 480 is about perfect. Plenty of power available for anything I will hunt. It likes my cast bullet loads. You can turn it down to a 455 Webley pop-gun load, or up for anything you will encounter in North America. I have not done it yet, but I plan on loading some shot shells for it. An all round gun for Cotton Mouths to Moose.

Bob

I've never shot any 480s out of my Linebaugh but if you want a mid-level load in your 475, you can try the Hornady factory loads. Very mild...relatively speaking.

Landrum

Welcome to the site, Landrum!

Thank you, Whitworth.

Really looking forward to this hunting season.