ok so my first and only revolver is a Blackhawk in 357,started with this because it seemed to be most recommended. so the Blackhawk to me is nothing I have never been recoil shy I used to shoot 3 inch mags out of my H@R single shot for yrs for deer and turkey. I shot a friends 45,40 and 9mm semi autos and they were gravy.so I want a 480 bad but I do not know any one that has one, my friend has a friend that has a 44 Taurus so I could shoot that. but I just don't know I wish I could shoot a 44 and 480...opinions please

SIZE, does matter.

Split the difference ;-)

I've owned 44 mags and can tolerate the recoil fine. I bought a 480 yesterday but I' ve not shot it yet but read the recoil is simular. Of course, felt recoil is subjective. I expect it to be a bit more. I figure I'll learn to tolerate it as well.

If you handload you can make a 480 as rough or pleasant as you want. Actually, you are skipping a step by not going to a 44 mag.[IMHO] I am only assuming you hunt whitetail. If that's the case either would suit your needs fine. Good luck with your choice.

The 480 starts where the 44 leaves off. That is to say that the factory loaded 480 ammo feels like a handloaded full house 44 mag with a heavy bullet. If you look at the ballistics you can see that those two rounds weigh close to the same and have pretty similar muzzle velocities.

When you start to handload the 480 it can get within about 200fps of a 475 linebaugh.

The 357 and any of the other calibers you mention aren't even in the same league with the 480. The recoil will be a HUGE step up. The guys on this board notwithstanding (most of us have some sort of big bore handgun disease) most people reach their tolerance for recoil well before the 44mag runs out of legs.

While the 480 is a great cartridge, I think it would be a mistake to jump right from the 357 to the 480. For everything up to and including brown bears, the 44 is enough gun.

For the record, I own a 480 Super Redhawk and am very fond of it, however my 44mags see at least 5x as many rounds as my 480.

Remember: a flinch is very easy to get but very difficult to get rid of.

I too think you will be well served by a .44, however, if the .480 is what you want, then by all means a .480 is what you should get. You can work your way up with handloads and most factory .480 offerings are pretty mild. It's a great caliber -- it makes big holes without abusing the shooter too much.

X2

thanks all, i will go with the 44 and see how that goes. heck if I can handle the 44 then look out 480. to be honest if ruger would just make a 45lc super red hawk I would be all over that and yes I know I can shoot 45 in a 454 but would love a dedicated 45 super red hawk. well what's the old saying, you cant have to many revolvers....

+1!
I hate spending a lot of money on a 454 or 475 knowing I'm only going to shoot 45 or 480 and it might not shoot great because that's not what the gun was designed for. In either case, I'd probly be the limiting factor anyway. lol