I had a SRH for acouple years this a very intense cartridge in .454!!! They don't shoot .45 colts as accurate. very accurate with the .454's though but hang on when you touch one of them off!! The performance of the .454's is a whole tier better than the .44 actually no comparison in really in the same league!!!I actually just traded mine for a xd .45 tactical,I have a .45 colt vaquero which you can use the ruger only loads and equal or slighly surpass they .44.I guess what it all comes down to is what kind of performance you are looking for. the .454 isn't a everday shooter in my opinion it will get you to flinching and other bad habits in my opinion.The SRH .454 I had was one of the few firearms i had nobody wanted to shoot after one cylinder full!!!!The .44 as my brother has a redhwk in .44 is one you can shoot many rounds through and have fun making bricks into gravel and stuff!!!If I would do it again after hind sight I myself would've got a .44 magnum. GOOD LUCK!!

 

The .44 Magnum can't touch the .454 Casull in terms of sheer power with the vast majority of commercial loads out there but with offerings by Garrett Cartridges, Buffalo Bore & Corbon, it can give it a run for it's money.

If the intent is to handload, I don't see how you could go wrong with either. Just from a personal standpoint I'd prefer the .44 Magnum because I'm not a handloader and there are a multitude of commercial rounds available for it as well as in .44 Special if I chose to shoot those. Additionally, because if I did want to go with pedal-to-the-metal loads for it, I could get loads from Buffalo Bore, Corbon & Garrett which would put me very, very close to what the .454 can do.

From Buffalo Bore's website:

"NEW HEAVY 44 MAGNUM +P+

This new load is designed for only certain revolvers that have the cylinder length to handle it. They are as follows. Ruger Red Hawk, Ruger Super Red Hawk, Ruger Super Blackhawk or Vaquero, Freedom Arms Model 83, Taurus Raging Bull and Dan Wesson Revolvers. Suitable rifles include T/C Encore, "modified" Marlin 1894, Winchester 1894, any rifle with a falling block action and the Handi Rifle.

What do we mean above by “modified” Marlin? Marlin (for an unknown, not well thought out reason) is using a very slow rate of twist (1/38 inches) on their 1894 chambered in 44 mag. Because of this slow rate of twist, the heaviest bullet that the factory Marlin will stabilize is about 270grs. Other firearm makers that chamber for the 44 mag all use a much faster rate of twist so that their guns will stabilize and therefore accurately shoot bullets over 300grs. Many folks today want their 44 magnums to be able to utilize the heavy 300gr. and heavier bullets—Marlin has not figured this out. If you want decent accuracy out of our new +p+ load in a Marlin, it will need to be rebarreled with a twist rate of roughly 1/20 inch. I have Dave Clay rebarrel all my Marlin 1894’s with a faster twist barrel. A 44 magnum that wont accurately shoot 300gr. or heavier bullets is useless to me. Call him at 817-783-6099 for pricing.


.44 Magnum +P+ 340 gr. LBT-LFN GC . (1478 fps / M.E. 1649 ft. lbs.)

.454 Casull 360 gr. L.W.N.G.C. (1425 fps / M.E. 1623 ft. lbs.)

.454 Casull 325 gr. L.B.T.- L.F.N. (1525 fps /M.E. 1678 ft. )

http://www.garrettcartridges.com/products.asp

Garrett Super-Hard-Cast .44 Mag 330 gr. @1,400 FPS

 

It all depends on what you're going to do with the gun, if hunting is the name of the game and you wish to take shots out of your handgun out to 100+ yards .454 is your best bet. If you're talking about hunting whitetails out to 50 yards it's a toss up, either will get the job done just fine. A 240 gr. bullet out of the 454 can really reach out and touch what you need with plenty of power to put it down in a heartbeat, if there is a heart left to beat

 

My Super Redhawk is incredibly accurate with 45C ammo. It takes practice with the 454 ammo to shoot accurately , a good set of shooting gloves helps.

 

I find it incredible that Buffalo Bore seems to be specalizing in +P+ ammo or ammo that is beyond SAAMI (their own organization) specs. If you contact Ruger, Freedom Arms, Taurus or Dan Wesson and ask them if they will warranty their firearms after using +P+ ammo I can guess the answer.

I suspect BB will have some legal issues when a couple of the firearms blow up in someones face and then the +PP or BB will disappear.

 

Thanks for the replies guys. I think I'll stick with my .44 mag. & .45 Colt. I just hunt hogs with them and they are dumb so I can get close any way. Besides my heavy loads already play hell with my arthritic wrists.
Thanks again Deadeye.
P.S. Getting old is not for pussies.

 

You speak the truth Deadeye. Whoever called it the golden years obviously didn't have a clue or were just being an a/h. They should give him a colonoscopy just for thinking it up.

 

Yep either one going about 1200 with 300 gr would be more then enough for pigs!

 

I rapid fired 50 shots from a Taurus raging bull at one range sesion. Not too bad except for the palm of my hand being a little sore, and my ears ringing for a couple days (completely overcame my usual hearing protection...should've doubled up!). I went with the .44 due to ammo availability, price, and what I feel is a better target round in .44 Special vs. 45LC (though I've never fired a single special through mine yet). I own a factory ported S&W 629 so it's a pussycat anyway.

 

I really struggled with this decision. I decided on the Alaskan chambered in .44 Magnum. I figured that it might be hard to obtain .454 ammo in some places. I also knew that I am comfortable firing my Alaskan for an extended period of time without missing. Most of us would agree that shot placement is paramount. In fact, you can kill a lion with a .22 if you are foolish enough to confront a lion. I still think about a .454 and will buy one when I can afford it. I had my Alaskan plated in NP3 by Robar. It slicked up the action and made it possible to fire six rounds very quickly. So should I bother to buy a .454 and get it plated as well? The stock Alaskan is awesome and the NP3 makes it bullet-proof.

 

With a 240 grain bullet and H110 powder...
44 Mag
24.0 grains powder
1,522 fps
36,200 CUP pressure
1233 ft. lbs. energy

454 Casull
38.2 grains powder
2,065 fps
51,300 CUP pressure
2270 ft. lbs. energy

The 44 Mag is not even in the same ballpark.
There are no centerfire rifle cartridges that have a higher SAAMI max pressure than the Casull - 65,000 PSI

 

Like the .327,.357, and .44 magnums, the .454 was conceptually developed by shooting high pressure loads in their parent case.

In the end, they commercialized the longer case to keep us from blowing ourselves up in firearms designed for the lower pressures.

As a hand loader, these fringe debates are largely irrelevant. I can fill the gaps with powder and bullet choice. But since you asked ...

I suppose I would recommend the .44 for the same reasons mentioned. Ammo availability. If I had a .454, I would probably shoot mostly .45 colt level loads anyway.

I find the .460 S&W more compelling. The larger case capacity would allow you to reach the higher velocities with a less pressure. You would have to go to a BFR though, it's too long for the BH. It's just too much gun.

 

I suppose I would recommend the .44 for the same reasons mentioned. Ammo availability. If I had a .454, I would probably shoot mostly .45 colt level loads anyway.

I find the .460 S&W more compelling. The larger case capacity would allow you to reach the higher velocities with a less pressure. You would have to go to a BFR though, it's too long for the BH. It's just too much gun.

For me, started out with alot of 45 projects, so stayed with it, there is alot if variety in that caliber alone.

Think 460s&w would make a cool 45 rifle. Just already have the 4570 makings. Ha!

 

My neighbor sold his 454 and replaced it with a 460.
Said it is more flexible.
I have no dog in the fight... too much recoil for me.

 

So, pertinent to the discussion, what about the .480 Ruger ? Where does it fit in ?

 

From a reduced HANDLOADING ONLY perspective; for someone who likes extra heavy bullets at lower velocity, I think the step-up diameter from 44 & 45 to my latest (mild for me) .476, 350g, HS6 or PowerPistol loads balances well in a standard length revolver cylinder, such as a beefy SBH Bisley.

Where I wouldnt need an 'extra heavy to handle' THREE inch BFR cylinder/gun to reasonably accomadate even a 406g bullet (also loaded with HS6 or PowerPistol) when chambered in a m83.

IMO, these are a great 'drop in their tracks' heavier animal hunting loads, and at a reasonable 'rolling' recoil level in these guns - at least for myself.

However, am very comfortable with and like 300g bullets in 454, also at moderate & lower HS6 & PowerPistol velocities.

But as others have stated, 357, 41 & 44 are often used to harvest whitetail deer sized game too. And if that is what I had, thats what I would use and have before!

 

I've owned 454, 460S&W and 480Ruger revolvers. I liked them all but they're definitely not for everyone. Folks can either handle the recoil or they cannot. That's not a criticism but rather an observation. For those of us that can tolerate the big boomers they're a lot of fun to shoot but for most people they're simply too much gun. Again, not a criticism. I know people of relatively diminutive stature that can handle them and I know some big dudes that are flat out scared of them. Whether you can or you can't isn't a measure of manliness or machismo. Some folks like jalapeños, some don't.

The biggest handgun calibers I own these days are 44mag and 45 Colt. The 45 Colt in particular is all I need in a big caliber handgun. If a hot 45 Colt won't kill it I don't want to shoot it. As much as I liked my 454/460/480 they were just range toys so I decided to let them go. All is not lost. I have a couple of Ruger #1's chambered in 475 Linebaugh and 460S&W and I still have dies/brass/bullets for 454/460/480. Shooting those calibers with a 7lb 20" barreled carbine is a LOT of fun. Very mild to shoot but the terminal impact is devastating on whatever you're shooting at. Highly recommend it. I plan to purchase a 44mag #1 sometime in the near future for the same reason.

 

I should add, my Casull is an Encore pistol with 12" barrel. With no cylinder gap to bleed off some pressure, the bullet builds up a full head of steam in that 12" barrel, LOL. You have to work up to max loads or you won't know how to properly handle the recoil and it will give you a knot on your head or worse.

My daughter wanted to shoot it, so I had three different load levels for her to use in learning how to handle the recoil. The first was like a 45 Colt Cowboy Action load. The second was like a Ruger-Only 45 Colt hunting load, and the last was a max load...as in Cape Buffalo hunting load...

Here she is shooting the max load in slow motion. She thought it was awesome, LOL.

 

I should add, my Casull is an Encore pistol with 12" barrel. With no cylinder gap to bleed off some pressure, the bullet builds up a full head of steam in that 12" barrel, LOL. You have to work up to max loads or you won't know how to properly handle the recoil and it will give you a knot on your head or worse.

My daughter wanted to shoot it, so I had three different load levels for her to use in learning how to handle the recoil. The first was like a 45 Colt Cowboy Action load. The second was like a Ruger-Only 45 Colt hunting load, and the last was a max load...as in Cape Buffalo hunting load...

Here she is shooting the max load in slow motion. She thought it was awesome, LOL.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=frU7MbO0Z3o

She looks like she’s having fun ! :thumbsup:

 

The .460 in a lever gun. Now there is a thought. I wonder if you could convert a Win 94 in .45 Colt???

No, she doesn't look like she was under duress. That's a lot of fire out the end of the barrel.

I had a .375 JDJ in a contender. Back in the day, they called it a hand cannon. It was a handful and amazingly accurate.

 

The .460 in a lever gun. Now there is a thought. I wonder if you could convert a Win 94 in .45 Colt???.

About 15 yrs ago, a local LGS rumored that Marlin was planning on an 1895 offering in 475 Linebaugh, never saw one or confirmed but 'may' or may not have have seen a reputable article, difficult to recall.

That would have been a higher PSI load in a pretty stout levergun for sure, the 460sw alot more so! The recoil 'when using extra heavy bullets alone' could eventually loosen some of parts on a SOLID and fine lever rifle, I say this because it happened to me in an 1895, 4570 once at just 28k psi - but using a heavy 550g short flatnose. I ended up correcting the gun problem plus now stay with 405g at 1700fps maximum or less anyway. Would rather shoot 500g stuff in bolt actions (since I have them), at 1700fps instead.

I also think Ruger #1 is a much beefier and an excellent option for these things and would enjoy with much less recoil than a revolver. Saw both calibers at $1499 each today, 44 mag too which is the 'mainstream' caliber, as others mentioned.

I like HG 44 mag but in some revolvers 'factory 240g' loads seems higher in recoil 'velocity' (yet not so much recoil energy as 300g bullets in other calibers) but I dislike the quick/sharp punch. So I prefer my personal 44 mag handloads in similiar fashion as my numerous other big bore heavy bullet calibers.

These revolvers are not range toys to me and recoil does not bother me much, then I hunt with them and in big bear country too. But would stay away from big bore revolvers if I did not handload-if I did not customize my own loads - I would definetly go with Ruger #1 or an Encore with rifle stock. Much fun.

 

I really enjoy shooting my 5" .460 S&W with max loaded ammo. What spoils the fun at the range, is that no matter where on the line I set up, some whiney shooter usually with a .22 sets up next to me, and complains to the RO that I'm destroying his hearing with my Hand Cannon.

 

Ain't that the truth. I try to go early when not so many shooters are at the range and setup at the end of the line. I also warn those around me that I'll be making a little noise.

 

If you just skim the surface, things are pretty cut & dried with the .44 at 36,000psi and the .454 at 65,00psi. A difference that accounts for 500fps in favor of the .454 with standard weight bullets. However, when you realize that most .454 factory loads are more like 50-55,000psi and that Rugers really shouldn't be loaded any higher; that the .44 can be loaded to 50,000psi in the Redhawk/Super Redhawk and the difference in overall loaded cartridge length is minimal, things get a little muddier. A good example would be the heavy Buffalo Bore loads. Same pressure, comparable bullets, same velocity. Same is seen in Brian Pearce's +P+ .44 data and most .454 data. The .454 will always yield a little more velocity with top loads but with the right bullets, we're talking about taking the same critters. The .454 will just shoot a little flatter and give you more effective range. It also yields more reliable performance with jacketed bullets that can take the velocity but it's not gonna kill anything deader. The difference may be as little as 100fps. For instance, I can get the 355gr Beartooth to 1350fps in the .44 SRH and most .454 data has a 360gr WFN at 1450-1500fps.

Pearce's 340gr handloads nearly duplicate the Buffalo Bore load. Of course, they can't be used in just any old .44 revolver.

https://loaddata.com/Cartridge/44-Remington-Magnum-P-44-Magnum-P-Handloading-Data/5501

 

Plenty of power and punishment in 12" T/C Contender in 45-70.

 

Fun stuff, that is .... the further I stay away from something like a 400g load at the 1450fps 'level', in any handgun have ever used. This level (regardless of combination in bullet, velocity, charge & HG used) has always been more than I care to deal with, beyond an occasional round anyway.

This is from someone who has always enjoyed recoil, for whatever thats worth. Also, personally enjoy being outside when shooting any decent size magnum plus prefer standing as well! Lol

 

I bought a SBH a couple years ago. I've come to the conclusion the 44 mag is all my 65 year old hands can take. Those bigger pistols are years past now. Love my 44 but admire the 454 and bigger.

 

.44 Magnum in my 5 1/2" barreled Redhawk is the most I willingly go for handgun recoil. If I need/desire more power, I select a rifle or shotgun.

 

In the middle of a blizzard here (amongst everything else) so thought would run some numbers.

Have 2 favorite side-by-side pet handloads.

.4515, 200g at 1250 fps(low 44 mag ballistics level).

THEN,
.476, 406g at a slow 800fps.

In a 50oz single action (with great grip design and balance) both Loads are between 14-15 lbs of recoil energy (plus 16-17 fps velocity) using a pretty slow 'safe' powder, this is maximum level had ever allowed my teenage son to use, when younger.

-----------------
Now on the other hand, a full house 44 mag 240g load would be about 17 lbs recoil energy with 18 fps recoil velocity, using Hornady factory ammo.

Then comparing a full house factory 454 Hornady 300g load, it is near a very significant 40 lbs recoil at 28 fps !!

Big difference!

----------------
Looking at fairly mild 45 loads:

45 colt standard mild loads (for me) are what? .... 8-9lbs recoil in same heavy gun. What would it be in a lighter Vaquero? ....seems like compared to my pet loads, am thinking probably not a huge difference.