I am unable to help you on 454. I own an Alaskan in 44 Magnum and I really like it. The Alaskan is easy to carry and does not get in the way of a small day pack. Tough choice to make. Buy a good belt and holster whichever you get.

 

Well I have the alaskan 2.5 in 454 casull. It's a hot round, twice easily what my 357 mag gp100 4.2" is. The shorter barrel is easier to carry, versus a longer barrel. You loose velocity with the shorter barrel, but gain compactness. Out of the 357, 44 mag 8" and 50ae eagle I own the 454 is the most recoiling. Only one I have fired that was more was the 8" 500 smith.

So it's not for everybody. It's a very powerful cartridge, and is kinda expensive for a range gun, unless you reload. I've found that the 45 colt which you can also use allows you to load light 45 colt for range plinking.

I love mine, but it's not for everyone.

 

Well I have the alaskan 2.5 in 454 casull. It's a hot round, twice easily what my 357 mag gp100 4.2" is. The shorter barrel is easier to carry, versus a longer barrel. You loose velocity with the shorter barrel, but gain compactness. Out of the 357, 44 mag 8" and 50ae eagle I own the 454 is the most recoiling.
So it's not for everybody. It's a very powerful cartridge, and is kinda expensive for a range gun, unless you reload. I've found that the 45 colt which you can also use allows you to load light 45 colt for range plinking.

Yes, I also have 357 mag gp100 4.2". My main concern is if the 454's recoil will be too shocking after it... The second concern is the barrel length. I used to handle 4.2 inch. But casull is not available anymore w 4.2 ! Just 2.5 or 7.5... I have never hiked with so long stick!.. Faster deploy versus loosing of velocity and even more recoil...
The 3rd option is just to get more comfortable 44Mag and give up. Lol
Sure I consider the range shooting just for the very initial training, I'm going to reload and also use 45 colt in some situation...

 

You lose a great deal of velocity in 2.5" barrel compared to a 7.5" barrel along with a much shorter sight radius which degrades accuracy. I'd always go with the 7.5. Don

Edited to add, I'm not talking out of my backside, I used to have a Super Redhawk in .454.

Moved on to S&W 500 Mags.

 

You lose a great deal of velocity in 2.5" barrel compared to a 7.5" barrel along with a much shorter sight radius which degrades accuracy. I'd always go with the 7.5. Don

I have never had longer than 4.2 inch barrel... Is it practically deployable quick enough?

 

If hunting 7.5 yes, for a carry gun, 2.5 is much better.

I hear alot say the longer sight radius comment. I routinely shoot to 100 yards with a pistol, including the 4.2" gp100, and at times I have shot the 454 at that range occassionally. If your trying to shoot small groups yes sight radius can effect that, but for self defense, it's less important, and point.shooting is a far more productive practice.
That's just my humble opinion, but I'm just as accurate with my 8.38" smith 29 in 44 magnum, as i am with my 2.5" alaskan 454 casull. Practice, practice, practice.

 

Perfect! Thank you, Tacky!

 

Quick jab, Tacky, how deep is that little red toolbox? Many years of big revolvers and I would not consider myself recoil sensitive, I have shot and loved many Ruger only 45 colt (the long one) rounds from my Bisleys.
Through gross oversight my phone doesn't have a breathalyzer so I am the proud owner of a freedom arms in 454. It came with pachmeyer grips that I don't love. This revolver and my 4 inch Smith 29 are just painful to shoot.
It's as much about the gun as it is the cartridge.

 

Quick jab, Tacky, how deep is that little red toolbox? Many years of big revolvers and I would not consider myself recoil sensitive, I have shot and loved many Ruger only 45 colt (the long one) rounds from my Bisleys.
Through gross oversight my phone doesn't have a breathalyzer so I am the proud owner of a freedom arms in 454. It came with pachmeyer grips that I don't love. This revolver and my 4 inch Smith 29 are just painful to shoot.
It's as much about the gun as it is the cartridge.

I cannot say but its......

 

45 colt 200 gr.
I do shoot a fair amount of 250 gr at 900ish fps. Not a flame throwing terror but I would not want to be on the receiving end.

 

Mosquito, just an observation from someone who does not go for super blasts from anymore. Your initial post lead me to believe that you may have found 44Mag as too exciting for your taste. If true, then you might wind up firing one box or less of real 454 ammo.

My Ruger Convertible can handle 45 colt ammo noisier than I'd prefer to carry and more than adequate for a woods walk. But is is your time and your decision and there is not one right answer.

Should you purchase one of the .454s and it does not really suit you for what ever reason. I'd bet that someone nearby would take it off your hands and you could reinvest your experience and money in a different Ruger toy/tool for men.

Keep us posted please.

 

Mosquito, just an observation from someone who does not go for super blasts from anymore. Your initial post lead me to believe that you may have found 44Mag as too exciting for your taste. If true, then you might wind up firing one box or less of real 454 ammo.

My Ruger Convertible can handle 45 colt ammo noisier than I'd prefer to carry and more than adequate for a woods walk. But is is your time and your decision and there is not one right answer.

Should you purchase one of the .454s and it does not really suit you for what ever reason. I'd bet that someone nearby would take it off your hands and you could reinvest your experience and money in a different Ruger toy/tool for men.

Keep us posted please.

Well, you never know… It’s hard to predict.
I definitely want to get more powerful toy than 357. But the initial question was about barrel length - not about caliber!

 

For hiking and range use and not intended to be used for hunting, the 2.5" SRH Alaskan is what I would choose. In fact I have one but it's a .480 Ruger. The 7 1/2" SRH would be somewhat inconvenient for your stated use.

FWIW,

Paul

 

For hiking and range use and not intended to be used for hunting, the 2.5" SRH Alaskan is what I would choose. In fact I have one but it's a .480 Ruger. The 7 1/2" SRH would be somewhat inconvenient for your stated use.
FWIW,
Paul

.480 !!! So rare... Is it discontinued? How can you get ammo? Is it really perfectly balanced cartridge (power-recoil) as I have heard about it?

 

I hunt in the mountains in Pa. with my 7.5" barreled 44 SBH. Depending on the weather, I use a shoulder holster or a belt holster. With either one, I can deploy the SBH rather quickly if needed. Not gunfighter quick, but quick enough.

But then again, I don't have to worry too much about charging grizzlies here.

 

@Mosquito

I also have a good holster I can recommend, and speed loaders for it as well. The holster would do good for your intended purpose, with positive retention.

 

@Mosquito
I also have a good holster I can recommend, and speed loaders for it as well. The holster would do good for your intended purpose, with positive retention.

Is it chest holster? Or 454 will work good w shoulder one? (2.5)

 

Here are my other big boomers.. DE 50 AE I shoot a 300 grain deep curl in that one, reload.

Smith 29 Dirty Harry Special. Shoot a 240 deep curl with the bottom charger for 44 mag of h110 in that one.

I had these hid in the back of the tool box. 🤣

 

Here are my other big boomers.. DE 50 AE I shoot a 300 grain deep curl in that one, reload.

View attachment 182766
I had these hid in the back of the tool box. 🤣

Nice!! I just keep modest HK VP9 .40 - in case I like more automation

 

@Mosquito

here you go, my rig.

 

Simply Rugged sourdough pancake. Can be worn strong side or cross draw and, with Chesty Puller strap system, as a chest holster. simplyrugged.com

Gun is Ruger SRH Alaskan 480 Ruger w/GP100 rubber grips with faux ivory inserts. The OEM Hogue Tamers mitigate felt recoil much better.
.

.
FWIW,

Paul

 

I have a 4 inch smith 29 with a DeSantis pancake holster, good for knocking around in the woods. I don't love to shoot that gun. I recently picked up a 4 5/8 blackhawk in 41 mag. Got out and shot it recently, that may be my new woods gun.

 

Here are a couple of reviews done by Jeff Quinn at Gunblast.

.454 SRH Alaskan
.

Ruger’s Super Redhawk Alaskan .454 Casull

.
480 SRH Alaskan
.

Ruger Super Redhawk Alaskan .480 Ruger

Paul

 

So for .480 reloading is the only way. I have never seen live cartridges in store...

 

The Alaskan in .480 Ruger is no big deal for someone like yourself who is not recoil sensitive.

Check out the Ballistics by the Inch website. The velocity drop is not as much as some believe. Don't remember if they have .454 on the site, but you could look at .44 mag to get a feel for the effect of the shorter barrel.

 

The Alaskan in .480 Ruger is no big deal for someone like yourself who is not recoil sensitive.

I would like to choose .480 SRH; my one concern - I'll ever never be able to buy some ammo in store... Only reloading

 

Here are some actual .44 MAGNUM chronograph results. Buffalo Bore and Underwood 305 grain bullets in various barrel lengths.

Buffalo Bore, 305 LBT LFN HC rated 1,325 fps

Underwood, 305 LFNGC Plated (HiTech?) rated 1,325 fps

LabRadar muzzle velocity at 33 deg F

S&W M69 2.75" ===> BB 1,195 fps ===> Under 1,147fps

S&W M69 4.25" ===> BB 1,276 fps ===> Under 1,248 fps

Ruger SRH 7.5" ===> BB 1,395 fps ===> Under 1,315 fps FWIW, Paul

 

Here are some actual .44 MAGNUM chronograph results. Buffalo Bore and Underwood 305 grain bullets in various barrel lengths.

Buffalo Bore, 305 LBT LFN HC rated 1,325 fps

Underwood, 305 LFNGC Plated (HiTech?) rated 1,325 fps

LabRadar muzzle velocity at 33 deg F

S&W M69 2.75" ===> BB 1,195 fps ===> Under 1,147fps

S&W M69 4.25" ===> BB 1,276 fps ===> Under 1,248 fps

Ruger SRH 7.5" ===> BB 1,395 fps ===> Under 1,315 fps FWIW, Paul

Interesting. Yah, 2.5 looks better overall

 

The 200 fps loss from the shorter barrel won't be noticed by the bullets recipient at most handgun ranges.
Years ago I slowed my 22-250 rounds down from 3700 to 3300 or 3400. The prarie dogs don't know the difference.

 

The Alaskan IMHO, is a terrific revolver. I am tempted to buy a 454 Casull just like yours. Great shooting. I love my 44 Magnum Alaskan.

 

Our clan (2 grown boys and myself) own all of the hand cannons but none with short barrels. The next short Alaskan that dares me will have a new home! You guys are a great sales team.

 

Factory ammo availibity is the problem with 480 Ruger. Very few stock it, expensive and even gun shows usually do not have any. Good caliber, but you must be a handloader to shoot it.

 

Yes, unfortunately I do not reload at the moment. I need to get motivated to do so soon since I have both of Ruger's new 45-70 rifles and those rounds aint cheap either!

 

I meet with some of my friends at the gun club for theme days. We had a 454 Casull day. Friends brought Freedmom Arms single-action revolvers and some short barrel revolvers. We took turns shooting all of them. The consensus was that my 7 1/2" Ruger Super Redhawk was the most pleasant to shoot.

 

I meet with some of my friends at the gun club for theme days. We had a 454 Casull day. Friends brought Freedmom Arms single-action revolvers and some short barrel revolvers. We took turns shooting all of them. The consensus was that my 7 1/2" Ruger Super Redhawk was the most pleasant to shoot.

I have the same model and love it.

 

I own the Alaskan in 44 mag as well as the Redhawk in same.
The Alaskan is a real pleasure to shoot even with full house loads.
The Redhawk beats the frickin' snot out of my 2nd finger against the trigger guard.

The Super Redhawk is not as handsome as the Redhawk, but it comes with more friendly grips.
If you are bound and determined to go 454, I believe shooting comfort is important.
I also understand the Super Redhawk is an even stouter gun than the Redhawk.

 

Just to repeat myself:The Alaskan in 44 Magnum is my favorite revolver. I did change both front and rear sights to HiViz and what an improvement it made to my shooting this revolver.