Need help deciding
#73240
08/10/2010 1:22 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 18
Jimbo
OP
stranger
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OP
stranger
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 18 |
I want to get a ruger super redhawk but can't decide if I should get a 44 mag or a 454 casull. I understand that the 454 is going to kick more, but I would probably be using 45 colts most of the time. But, I would have the option of something more powerful if I ever need it. The 44 would be tamer and cheaper. Most of my shooting would be target shooting/deer hunting. Also, I do reload. Any pros and/or cons for both would greatly be appreciated.
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Re: Need help deciding
[Re: Jimbo]
#73241
08/10/2010 1:31 PM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,037
wtroper
old hand
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old hand
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,037 |
Without any knowledge of your prior experience with hunting handguns, one is disadvantaged in giving advise to you. However, presuming that you do not have a "big arsenal" of these types, I would recommend the 44. There actually is very little that will encountered on this continent that cannot be handled with a properly loaded 44.
It's more important where you hit 'em, than what you hit 'em with.
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Re: Need help deciding
[Re: wtroper]
#73243
08/10/2010 1:42 PM
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Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 17
hmebuildr
stranger
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stranger
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 17 |
I second the 44 as the gun to get you will not be under gunned hunting deer with this round. Remember bigger is not always better I have seen more then one guy at the gun club with a larger caliber handgun that after shooting it started to develop a bad flinch. Start out with a 44 get comfortable with this first then if you want to move up do so.
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Re: Need help deciding
[Re: hmebuildr]
#73244
08/10/2010 2:04 PM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 9,836
Whitworth
Shootist
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Shootist
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 9,836 |
I would prefer the .454 to the .44. More versatile in my opinion. YOu can load it up or down -- down to .44 levels (even though that's not fair as the .454 still has the distinct advantage of diameter), or up to levels the .44 cannot attain. I like .45s more than .429s, but that's just me -- and I do own both.
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Re: Need help deciding
[Re: Whitworth]
#73248
08/10/2010 3:55 PM
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 808
minnesotahunter
old hand
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old hand
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 808 |
I like 44s, but the 454 would be more versitile.
Although, in a SRH 44, you can shoot Buffalo Bore's +P+ round that puts out almost 1700foot pounds of energy, which is equal to all but the hottest 454 rounds.
454 would be a bigger hole.
You really can't lose with either one.
The 44 will give you a better choice of factory offerings.
All things said....since you reload....I'd get a 480.
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Re: Need help deciding
[Re: minnesotahunter]
#73249
08/10/2010 5:16 PM
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 3,755
johnwilliams
Shooting Master
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Shooting Master
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 3,755 |
.454 casull/45 colt,bigger diameter,you can load down or up-versitility
H.H.I.#8190 Colossians 1:17 And He is before all things,and by Him all things consist!
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Re: Need help deciding
[Re: johnwilliams]
#73258
08/10/2010 9:35 PM
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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 287
Al in OK
enthusiast
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enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 287 |
If I reloaded, I think I would go for the 480 also. I'd love to have one but couldn't afford to shoot like I'd like to. I shoot the .44 in a SBH. This will be my first year to hunt with it tho.
Gun Control - A theory; A belief that a violent predator who ignores the laws prohibiting them from killing their fellow human beings will obey a law telling them they cannot own a gun.
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Re: Need help deciding
[Re: Jimbo]
#73259
08/10/2010 10:10 PM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 9,608
s4s4u
Shootist
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Shootist
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 9,608 |
Neither, get a 480. They are on sale right now at CDNN for $479. If you roll your own it isn't that costly.
Second choice is partially on your list, the 45LC. I don't know how well it shoots in the 454 cylinder, but it has plenty of power, and size, to kill big critters.
Rod, too.
Short cuts often lead to long recoveries.
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Re: Need help deciding
[Re: s4s4u]
#73261
08/10/2010 11:12 PM
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 6,963
KRal
Shootist
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Shootist
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 6,963 |
I would prefer the .454 to the .44. More versatile in my opinion. YOu can load it up or down -- down to .44 levels (even though that's not fair as the .454 still has the distinct advantage of diameter), or up to levels the .44 cannot attain. I like .45s more than .429s, but that's just me -- and I do own both. I agree with what Whitworths has suggested, with the two calibers you have listed. Neither, get a 480. They are on sale right now at CDNN for $479. If you roll your own it isn't that costly.
Second choice is partially on your list, the 45LC. I don't know how well it shoots in the 454 cylinder, but it has plenty of power, and size, to kill big critters. On the other hand, s4s4u has a great suggestion with his option. By the way, I own all three calibers and love them all.
It takes 43 muscles to frown and 17 to smile, but only 3 for proper trigger squeeze.
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Re: Need help deciding
[Re: KRal]
#73295
08/11/2010 11:37 PM
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 7,331
TCTex.
Shootist
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Shootist
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 7,331 |
I am going to use Tiggers answer...
BUY ALL THREE!!!!!!
With that being said I have to ask the questions already asked... How much experience do you have in handgun shooting and what is the intended game. "I" would say for a first handgun go with the 44. If you go with the 454 and find it is too much it could leave you with a really bad experience. You can shoot 45's out of the 454, but from what I have heard you will loose accuracy.
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Re: Need help deciding
[Re: TCTex.]
#73297
08/12/2010 1:22 AM
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,725
500WE
Pooh-Bah
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Pooh-Bah
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,725 |
The .44 Magnum will do everything you describe, plus some, at less cost and greater availability. You can't go wrong with it.
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Re: Need help deciding
[Re: TCTex.]
#73298
08/12/2010 1:50 AM
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 39
onesonek
newbie
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newbie
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 39 |
I like the idea of the .454 if needed, and loading down if not.
Dave
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Re: Need help deciding
[Re: TCTex.]
#73299
08/12/2010 2:11 AM
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Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 711
racksmasher
old hand
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old hand
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 711 |
you can buy 44 mag ammo anywhere, if you handload you can run cast bullet's with recoil you can handle, you don't need to push it mach 10 to get the job done. the casull is a lot of gun for most folk's
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Re: Need help deciding
[Re: racksmasher]
#73300
08/12/2010 2:25 AM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 9,836
Whitworth
Shootist
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Shootist
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 9,836 |
On the same token you don't have to push the .454 hard to get the job done either, and all things being "equal," the .454 is simply starting out with more even at subdued velocities. I am not a fan of hyper-loaded .454s, for me -- for that much recoil you can have a .475.
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Re: Need help deciding
[Re: Whitworth]
#73301
08/12/2010 2:40 AM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,097
jwp475
old hand
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old hand
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,097 |
On the same token you don't have to push the .454 hard to get the job done either, and all things being "equal," the .454 is simply starting out with more even at subdued velocities. I am not a fan of hyper-loaded .454s, for me -- for that much recoil you can have a .475. Yes indeed...........
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Re: Need help deciding
[Re: jwp475]
#73302
08/12/2010 4:06 AM
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,155
Bob Roach
old hand
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old hand
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,155 |
In my opinion you cannot go wrong with a Super RedHawk in any Caliber if you reload. With Hogue Tamer Grips all 3 chamberings should be manageable for most with warm loads. The 44 and 45 are a little cheaper to buy bullets for. As I cast my own bullets, it makes very little difference between a 44, 454, or 480 as far as expense to shoot. Reloading you can turn the power level up or down at will, so recoil can be manageable with a 454 or 480. With a Super RedHawk their is no wrong answer. You will just have to pick one. I have a 44 and 2 each 480's. I shoot the 480's the most.
See You At The Range
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Re: Need help deciding
[Re: Bob Roach]
#73313
08/12/2010 3:28 PM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,704
Tigger
Distinguished Expert
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Distinguished Expert
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,704 |
The 44 is a very good choice.
Like TC Man stated buy all three!!!! Hee Hee Hee (that's an evil laugh)
NRA Life Member
** NEVER! Moon a Werewolf!!**
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Re: Need help deciding
[Re: Tigger]
#73316
08/12/2010 3:53 PM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 9,836
Whitworth
Shootist
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Shootist
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 9,836 |
The 44 is a very good choice.
Like TC Man stated buy all three!!!! Hee Hee Hee (that's an evil laugh) Can't argue with that logic!! LOL!
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Re: Need help deciding
[Re: TCTex.]
#73321
08/13/2010 12:02 AM
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 345
Festus
enthusiast
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enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 345 |
I had the 454 Too much gun for me Id opt for the 44 or 480
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Re: Need help deciding
[Re: TCTex.]
#73332
08/13/2010 5:20 AM
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 976
doc with a glock
old hand
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old hand
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 976 |
Jimbo,
The 44 will do everything most everybody wants to do in the CONUS (lower 48). It does it efficiently, and at a reasonable cost, with ammo just about everywhere. Sometimes "bigger" is not always better! Loads from mild to ferocious are commonly available. Just my 2 cents.
Doc
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Re: Need help deciding
[Re: doc with a glock]
#73334
08/13/2010 9:13 AM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,097
jwp475
old hand
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old hand
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,097 |
Jimbo,
The 44 will do everything most everybody wants to do in the CONUS (lower 48). It does it efficiently, and at a reasonable cost, with ammo just about everywhere. Sometimes "bigger" is not always better! Loads from mild to ferocious are commonly available. Just my 2 cents.
Doc Same as the 45 Colt
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Re: Need help deciding
[Re: jwp475]
#73340
08/13/2010 1:00 PM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 694
430man
addict
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addict
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 694 |
SRH in .44. Stoke it with 320 gr boolits for hunting and 240 gr XTP's for targets, both super accurate. The .454 can be a reloading nightmare and .45 brass is not accurate in the .454 chamber. No short case is as good like a .44 special in a mag, a .38 in a .357 or a .480 in a .475. Sure, they shoot but accuracy really suffers. Load down the .454 and why not just buy a .45? Many factory .454 loads will give you grief. I have funny thoughts that cause friction. One is there is not much worth a thing for hunting between the .22 and .44. The other is the same feelings between the .44 and .475. If you have a .22 pistol, a .44 and a .475, there is just no need for anything else. All the rest is just fun because those three will do it all.
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Re: Need help deciding
[Re: 430man]
#73351
08/13/2010 4:06 PM
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 808
minnesotahunter
old hand
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old hand
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 808 |
44mag will give you the most variety of factory loadings by ffaaarrrrrrrr.
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Re: Need help deciding
[Re: 430man]
#73358
08/13/2010 8:47 PM
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 39
onesonek
newbie
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newbie
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 39 |
SRH in .44. Stoke it with 320 gr boolits for hunting and 240 gr XTP's for targets, both super accurate. The .454 can be a reloading nightmare and .45 brass is not accurate in the .454 chamber. No short case is as good like a .44 special in a mag, a .38 in a .357 or a .480 in a .475. Sure, they shoot but accuracy really suffers. Load down the .454 and why not just buy a .45? Many factory .454 loads will give you grief. I have funny thoughts that cause friction. One is there is not much worth a thing for hunting between the .22 and .44. The other is the same feelings between the .44 and .475. If you have a .22 pistol, a .44 and a .475, there is just no need for anything else. All the rest is just fun because those three will do it all. What nightmares are you refering to? Just curious, as before I bought mine, my research found little if any negatives. And the one I have, don't seem fickle at all. It has acceptable accuracy with all the loads I have fed it. From 255's to double round balls to to 400 grs. from light to heavy charges. I agree that the .45 Colt's short case don't shoot the best, but then there is no need to when you reload. Shoot the Casull case and load it down if you want Colt performance if thats want you need at that time. I also agree the .44 mag will do as well on deer, and the 320 gr. will do fine on most bigger critters. For me though, I prefer the extra sectional density and displacement of the .45's 395 or 400 gr. on larger critters, specially if they are the ones that might bite. Dave
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Re: Need help deciding
[Re: onesonek]
#73390
08/14/2010 6:59 PM
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Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 56
the terminator
journeyman
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journeyman
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 56 |
If I were making the choice, I would get the 454. I have had several of each. The SRH 454's have a very strong recoil. It is downright unpleasant for me, but, hand loads tame it, while still giving you the option of a full strength load. YMMV.
Ted John 3:16
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Re: Need help deciding
[Re: the terminator]
#73395
08/14/2010 10:44 PM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,097
jwp475
old hand
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old hand
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,097 |
The Super Redhawk is a double action and the felt recoil is always worse with with a double action. The FA or Bisley grip is the best at taming the felt recoil IME & IMHO
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Re: Need help deciding
[Re: 430man]
#73415
08/15/2010 10:59 AM
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 23
RickL
stranger
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stranger
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 23 |
If you have a .22 pistol, a .44 and a .475, there is just no need for anything else. All the rest is just fun because those three will do it all. IMO, comments like this should be banned from the site. A guy's wife my read that, for cryin' out loud! Oh, and the question is not, "Which one should I get?" rather it's "Which one should I get FIRST." Get the smallest first, then you can say "Well, honey, as my skills have grown I need and can use more range and power." These things require forethought, planning, and TEAMWORK. Let's all try to remember that we want to promote handgun hunting and craft our posts accordingly. Rick
Last edited by RickL; 08/15/2010 11:06 AM.
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Re: Need help deciding
[Re: RickL]
#73424
08/15/2010 1:27 PM
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 7,331
TCTex.
Shootist
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Shootist
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 7,331 |
HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA... LOL!!!!
Democracy is two wolves and a lamb deciding what to have for dinner. Liberty is a well armed lamb Benjamin Franklin
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Re: Need help deciding
[Re: jwp475]
#73433
08/15/2010 4:41 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 18
Jimbo
OP
stranger
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OP
stranger
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 18 |
Thanks to all for your excellent advice! After reading all the responses, I believe I am going to look at the Bisley Hunter model in 44mag.
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Re: Need help deciding
[Re: RickL]
#73455
08/16/2010 1:15 PM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 694
430man
addict
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addict
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 694 |
If you have a .22 pistol, a .44 and a .475, there is just no need for anything else. All the rest is just fun because those three will do it all. IMO, comments like this should be banned from the site. A guy's wife my read that, for cryin' out loud! Oh, and the question is not, "Which one should I get?" rather it's "Which one should I get FIRST." Get the smallest first, then you can say "Well, honey, as my skills have grown I need and can use more range and power." These things require forethought, planning, and TEAMWORK. Let's all try to remember that we want to promote handgun hunting and craft our posts accordingly. Rick Heck, you NEED a lot of guns for fun. All I was saying is for general work and hunting, mostly on a fixed budget, those will do it all.
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Re: Need help deciding
[Re: onesonek]
#73456
08/16/2010 1:26 PM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 694
430man
addict
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addict
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 694 |
SRH in .44. Stoke it with 320 gr boolits for hunting and 240 gr XTP's for targets, both super accurate. The .454 can be a reloading nightmare and .45 brass is not accurate in the .454 chamber. No short case is as good like a .44 special in a mag, a .38 in a .357 or a .480 in a .475. Sure, they shoot but accuracy really suffers. Load down the .454 and why not just buy a .45? Many factory .454 loads will give you grief. I have funny thoughts that cause friction. One is there is not much worth a thing for hunting between the .22 and .44. The other is the same feelings between the .44 and .475. If you have a .22 pistol, a .44 and a .475, there is just no need for anything else. All the rest is just fun because those three will do it all. What nightmares are you refering to? Just curious, as before I bought mine, my research found little if any negatives. And the one I have, don't seem fickle at all. It has acceptable accuracy with all the loads I have fed it. From 255's to double round balls to to 400 grs. from light to heavy charges. I agree that the .45 Colt's short case don't shoot the best, but then there is no need to when you reload. Shoot the Casull case and load it down if you want Colt performance if thats want you need at that time. I also agree the .44 mag will do as well on deer, and the 320 gr. will do fine on most bigger critters. For me though, I prefer the extra sectional density and displacement of the .45's 395 or 400 gr. on larger critters, specially if they are the ones that might bite. Dave Biggest problem we found with the .454 is the SR primer. Next is a lot of factory loads will pull bullets and lock the gun. This drives us nuts because no other caliber will do that with the same factory loads. My hand loads do not pull but it can get dangerous working loads with 296 and H110 because of failed ignition so you need to load full bore loads all the time. Going to a faster powder from 2400 down, just gives you a .45 Colt. Going to cut down .460 brass with a LP mag primer solved all the load problems. It also increased accuracy 100%. I hate .454 brass by itself, not the caliber. I hate factory loads other then Freedom loads. Never tried Hornady so I can't comment. If you don't know what you are doing when loading, it IS a problem.
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Re: Need help deciding
[Re: 430man]
#73463
08/16/2010 5:59 PM
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 679
guitarpicva
addict
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addict
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 679 |
...No short case is as good like a .44 special in a mag, a .38 in a .357 or a .480 in a .475. Sure, they shoot but accuracy really suffers. Load down the .454 and why not just buy a .45? Many factory .454 loads will give you grief. ... In general I bet this is true, but my wife shoots the lights out with .38 Spl SWC's in a .357 US Arms Cimmaron. It' depends on the gun some too I guess.
guitarpicva |||||| [o] VA AC4IY ...How long will you go limping between two different opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; ... 1 Kings 18
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Re: Need help deciding
[Re: 430man]
#73490
08/17/2010 10:42 AM
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 23
RickL
stranger
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stranger
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 23 |
"All I was saying is for general work and hunting, mostly on a fixed budget, those will do it all. "
Damn it man, you're doing it again!
Rick
Last edited by RickL; 08/17/2010 10:43 AM.
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Re: Need help deciding
[Re: 430man]
#73495
08/17/2010 12:17 PM
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 39
onesonek
newbie
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newbie
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 39 |
SRH in .44. Stoke it with 320 gr boolits for hunting and 240 gr XTP's for targets, both super accurate. The .454 can be a reloading nightmare and .45 brass is not accurate in the .454 chamber. No short case is as good like a .44 special in a mag, a .38 in a .357 or a .480 in a .475. Sure, they shoot but accuracy really suffers. Load down the .454 and why not just buy a .45? Many factory .454 loads will give you grief. I have funny thoughts that cause friction. One is there is not much worth a thing for hunting between the .22 and .44. The other is the same feelings between the .44 and .475. If you have a .22 pistol, a .44 and a .475, there is just no need for anything else. All the rest is just fun because those three will do it all. What nightmares are you refering to? Just curious, as before I bought mine, my research found little if any negatives. And the one I have, don't seem fickle at all. It has acceptable accuracy with all the loads I have fed it. From 255's to double round balls to to 400 grs. from light to heavy charges. I agree that the .45 Colt's short case don't shoot the best, but then there is no need to when you reload. Shoot the Casull case and load it down if you want Colt performance if thats want you need at that time. I also agree the .44 mag will do as well on deer, and the 320 gr. will do fine on most bigger critters. For me though, I prefer the extra sectional density and displacement of the .45's 395 or 400 gr. on larger critters, specially if they are the ones that might bite. Dave Biggest problem we found with the .454 is the SR primer. Next is a lot of factory loads will pull bullets and lock the gun. This drives us nuts because no other caliber will do that with the same factory loads. My hand loads do not pull but it can get dangerous working loads with 296 and H110 because of failed ignition so you need to load full bore loads all the time. Going to a faster powder from 2400 down, just gives you a .45 Colt. Going to cut down .460 brass with a LP mag primer solved all the load problems. It also increased accuracy 100%. I hate .454 brass by itself, not the caliber. I hate factory loads other then Freedom loads. Never tried Hornady so I can't comment. If you don't know what you are doing when loading, it IS a problem. Thanks for letting me know what you were running into! I know the small rifle primer has issues with lighter dose's of the slower powders. I didnt consider that much a problem, because I was either going to load it on the high end, or load it down with 2400. The bullets pulling on recoil isn't the cartridge's fault, that's a factory crimp issue.But again thanks for the headsup on that, as I hadn't heard that before. But that's why I reload my own, so I know what is. (thats not saying i cant and haven't screwed up however) I have considered and do like the thought of cutting down .460 brass for the LP mag primmer, but moreso in case the SR become hard to get when I need them. Also I shoot out of the Encore,and it's throat is a tad long. But it shoots well enough for my intended use and range requirements.
Dave
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Re: Need help deciding
[Re: onesonek]
#73512
08/18/2010 12:16 AM
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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 3,020
tradmark
Shooting Expert
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Shooting Expert
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 3,020 |
just haven't had probs with the w296 or h110 loads, i can go with 300 grain bullets from 1400fps to over 1700fps and i do not have any probs with jumping crimp. i crimp aggressively and use rcbs dies which provide a touch more case tension, you can tell visually, hornady factory loads are very accurate out of any of my 454's. someone earlier said you can do it all with a .22 a .44 and a .475, well you can do the same exact thing with a .22 and a .454 if ya want. bullet pull issues are gone with hardcast bullets by loading 300 grain loads down to 1600fps or less, and i've had 340's up over 1700fps without pull issues. 2400 will give ya some nice mid to upper range loads above what a hot 45 colt will do.
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