I'm trying to decide between a new bisley hunter or a lipsey ruger 454. About the only thing holding me back on the 454 is the only mounting option I have seen so far ruins the look of the gun. The weighatinny is the only one I have seen marketed for it but I'm guessing anything that will fit the other bisley models would work. Anyone tried one of the other mounts?

Weigand developed a special mount just for that gun due to the sharp recoil and it is hideous, but apparently necessary. I had a Bisley Hunter with the scope mounts on the barrel and just didn't care for the scope location there, so it went down the road. I prefer the regular Bisley in 45 Colt with a Weigand D&T'd to the topstrap holding an UltraDot. This setup doesn't allow for a quick swap to irons like the Hunter model does, but that doesn't concern me.

If it's gotta have a scope, I'd go for the Bisley Hunter. That new Wig Base is horrid in looks. Kills the whole new Bisley for me.

My view.

Either would probably get an ultra dot. It just seems like they have been scoping custom five shots for a long time without using that mount.

For me these new Rugers are tools. I'm really not that concerned with aesthetics - in this case. If you don't want to drill and tap, your options are limited. Jack Weigand went to great lengths to make a no D & T mount that would stand up to the sizable recoil achievable with the .454. No doubt it's not the prettiest mount available, but it works like gangbusters and there is beauty (to me at least) in the uncompromising functionality. Weaver makes a less bulky no D &T mount as well, but it's not in the same league. JMHO

If you don't mind drilling your gun, then yes there are other options. I got the impression that you wanted something removeable without altering the revolver. I D&T'd pre-weigatinny, Weigand weaver style rail on my Bisley and it works great. I'd expect it would hold up with a 454 as well. Perhaps there is a T'SOB the fits the Ruger top strap?

I wa thinking about something more like the tsob. I know it is a d&t mount but it looks better to me. I'm not knocking the weigand mount because it is functional and apparently stable with only one screw in the frame. My hats off to them for getting a mount to market as quick as they did.

I believe it requires 2 D&T'd holes in the topstrap plus the existing rear sight base screw hole. At least mine did.

Rod, it's a no drill and tap mount. No drilling involved. You can see it in this picture. It was designed specifically for this application (.454 SBH).

I thought he refering to the weigatinny, Max. My bad.

just googled a close up pic of that mount. It is certainly... unique! LOL. I wonder if they will eventually make a bisley hunter in 480 and 454? Whit do you have any insider info for us?

I would imagine they would sell like crazy if they did

They had ruled out the idea of a 454 Hunter as the Ruger system "wouldn't last 10 shots" on that platform, and I highly doubt they would spend the money to do just a 480 even if it would work. This is why they had Jack develop that base. Being they use the system on the SRH in 454 I'd have thought a Hunter model would be feasible, but it must have something to do with the scope location so far forward on the barrel that ruled it out.

Makes sense Rod. I had wondered that myself. I have seen a custom place (might have been Reeder?) advertise Ruger hunter conversions in 454 Casull though.

If I remember correctly. I think Kim had a converted Blackhawk in 454 or 475 the had a leupold base and rings drilled and taped on top.


I have a 45 Colt that has been stoked up for years and the scope has never fallen off.

I my mind take the stock Leupold scope mount and up size the screws to the 8-32

I wouldn't be at all surprized if it would work, but we all know how conservative Ruger is. Look how long it took them to finally succumb to the pressure and build the dang revolvers ;-)

No doubt. If it's any consolation, I'm having a .480 Bisley Hunter built....

Very Nice!!

Can it be a "Time Share"?

I've been wanting the 454 Bisley since it came out. I've got a Leupold mount that needs to be on a gun.

I'm thinking seriously about buying a bisley and having it sent off to be drilled and tapped ( with the screw size upped as H2O mentioned) That and some blue loctite, I don't see it going anywhere.

May have to sell some long guns then contact Chris Rhodes.

I would probably spring for the newly designed Weigand 454/480 BlackHawk Base. I can get used to the look.

On a keeper Revolver I could probably live with having the top strap drilled and tapped. I would hate to, but I would never have the base off anyway, so I could live with it.
I have the 6 screw TSOB's on my contender barrels. I have never had one shoot loose, even on a 375 JDJ.

I have ended up with a Weigand 454/480 Base on my 480 SRH. Nothing shoots loose now. AND I have 100% confidence it will not come loose. Not quite a pretty as the 30mm Ruger Rings, but extremely functional.

Bob R