I have never shot a .480 either. So Im no help. I will say, .454C recoil is not as horrid as people make it out to be. Its stout. But in a thompson it was not near as stout as a 7" .308.

 

My opinion is biased, but from someone that doesn't reload. At least yet.
I do have a 454 Alaskan and looked hard at the 480 Ruger version. Yes, 454 is much more readily available, and in my experience, more affordable. Even better though, is the availability of 45 Colt, and 45 Colt +p "Ruger only" loads. That wide range of loads is what sold me. Whatever you choose, I hope you enjoy it, and never really need it.

I guess to clarify what I'm saying, in my mind, buying the 480 is kinda like buying a 357 that can't shoot 38, or a 44 mag, that couldn't shoot 44 spl. Just ain't right. But that's me. Happy hunting while you decide.

 

Kind of where I'm at on this. I have a 480Ruger Alaskan and have been buying ammo wherever I find it. I have accumulated 15 boxes of the Hornady 325 and 400g stuff and buffalo bore and Steinel. I bought the gun because it looked great with those big bores and the round interested me.
If you reload, I would get the 480 since you can go from powder puff to hammer down.

 

Go 454, you have 45colt and 45 Schofield options. In fact, go up to 460SW for the extra extra versatility

 

Go 454, you have 45colt and 45 Schofield options.

Also, there is the .45 Colt +P, which sits nicely in between the .454 Casull and .45 Colt...it's a great intermediate round!

 

I always wanted a 480, just because. If you are going to shoot a big bore revolver, stout recoil is just a fact of life. I owned a Super Redhawk in 454 and recoil was stout but manageable. To me a 454 recoil is snappy feeling. I have a 460 S & W and recoil feels more like a push. To me with big bore guns the muzzle blast is the most distracting thing.

 

I can't imagine any difference in target impact reaction. Mathematical energy figures don't compute in my limited mental capacity. My experience with big game is, the bullet impacts, the animal runs a small distance and expires. Unless a spine hit knocks it down immediately. This has been the case for me regardless of the gun I used.

I think when all is said and done. Bullet selection will be more important than the cartridge.

 

I think when all is said and done. Bullet selection will be more important than the cartridge.

In this class of calibers, I also think alot comes down to bullet selection. But get both, 1 caliber for speed and then the other(480r regarding bullet momentum).

 

 

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You gotta learn to reload, and quit buying that expensive factory stuff.

As far as shooting the 44 Magnum, I own several both Rugers one the New Model Blackhawk 5.5" and the other Redhawk 7.5" very mild compared to the .454 Casull that I had owned in the Super Redhawk 7.5" and I have arthritis in both thumb joints.... 44 Special and 45 Colt is milder to shoot as well.

I'd say to try and find someone who has both the .454 Casull and the .480 Ruger if you can, then try them. But like one suggested, the .454 Casull gives you the .45 Schofield, .45 Colt to shoot as well, where the .480 Ruger is limited.

 

And thats what makes reloading those calibers so attractive. There is also a lot of leeway in how stout or mild a load you can build.

 

The 480 in a Bisley is on my "want" list. That being said I think it's falling into the same category as the 450 Marlin. Hornady thought it would be a good cartridge to fill a perceived gap. The shooting community never really embraced it.
Now loaded ammo is expensive if you can find it and brass is difficult to find. You can trim 475 limbaugh brass to 480 lenght if needed.
I would and have picked the Casull.

 

As others have said, the 454 is far more versatile in terms of cartridges to use and their different loadings. Reloaders like the 480 but in my opinion (for what that is worth), it is a dying caliber.

 

480R.
This is simply the best hunting handgun loading out there. In SRH trim or a 12" Encore, it outclasses the 454C and with a noticeably less-sharp recoil, e enough to practice anyway. Never been able to shoot a casull long enough to get good with it.
Like the 41mag, 10mm, or anything not 9mm or 22 these days, ammo costs money, we'll get over it. 🇺🇲 🌵

 

I have the Alaskan 454 and it's a powerful cartridge. I'd say it's more versatile being their are a ton of 45 bullets for reloading. Since I have 45 colts i can shoot the lighter SAA loads in the alaskan for plinking. Also if you split a case mouth on the 454, you can cut it down to 45 colt and use it for lighter loads like the SAA 45 colt, further increasing brass life.

The 454 is more popular why its ammo is cheaper in factory offerings due to volume. I've had my SRH about 10 years atleast and never regretted it. 454 on the left with its 4" 357 cousin on the right.

 

Had both. Prefer 480 Ruger but 454C is more versatile because of the ability to shoot 45 Colt. Any worry about differences in power/velocity is pointless. Both are powerful enough for any intended use. In my experience the most tangible difference is recoil. I prefer the hard push of the 480 over the sharp snap of the 454 but I had no difficulty shooting either one. Neither are suitable if you’re recoil averse. If shooting a box of 230gr 45ACP hardball bothers you you’ll absolutely hate shooting 480 or 454. Actually, I prefer shooting 454/480/460 over shooting 44Mag. I don’t know why but in similar revolvers (Ruger Bisley SBH) 44Mag feels more uncomfortable to shoot for me. Who knows?

 

Muzzle blast in .44 can be mean in 4"

 

My 4 inch model 29 is my least favorite handgun to shoot.

 

My 6.5” Bisley SBH 44Mag is my least favorite to shoot.

 

I’ve had numerous 44 mags, 29-2, 629, Taurus raging hunter, not a single one was fun to shoot. I could’ve kept them for 44spl but I’d rather just get a .357 or 45colt

 

Exactly my thoughts. I owned one 44Magnum in my life. It ruined my desires for anything more powerful.

 

I am a huge fan of the .480, I shoot single actions and a SRH both, the 480 is for sure a hand loaders round as far as I’m concerned, outside of that availability and choices of factory loaded ammo is a problem as well. Many but not all folks I see talking about 480 seem to treat it the same as many do the 45-70 in terms of trying to run light projectiles at higher velocities I prefer heavier slower hard cast projectiles at moderate speeds for instance in the 480 I’m running 410 and 420 gr projectiles in the 1150 -1175 fps range , nothing will walk away from that but that’s just my preference.
So I guess my opinion is if one has to rely on factory ammo go 454 if one is a hand loader the 480 is the bees knees

 

I am a huge fan of the .480, I shoot single actions and a SRH both, the 480 is for sure a hand loaders round as far as I’m concerned, outside of that availability and choices of factory loaded ammo is a problem as well. Many but not all folks I see talking about 480 seem to treat it the same as many do the 45-70 in terms of trying to run light projectiles at higher velocities I prefer heavier slower hard cast projectiles at moderate speeds for instance in the 480 I’m running 410 and 420 gr projectiles in the 1150 -1175 fps range , nothing will walk away from that but that’s just my preference.
So I guess my opinion is if one has to rely on factory ammo go 454 if one is a hand loader the 480 is the bees knees

100%. The same can be said of the .475 Linebaugh, the .500’s, both JRH and Linebaugh, and even the .454 Casull. To paraphrase Dick Casull, “Just because your Ferrari can go 180 mph, doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy it at 70 mph!”

 

If you really wanted a 480 then get one, but if you really wanted a 480 you wouldn't be looking at the 454 also. I'll come right out and say what other have shown and implied. Take a good look at cost and availability of ammo and components, then make your choice. One of the reasons I have stuck with the 44 mag is you can buy ammo anywhere. Not so much 45 Colt, 480 Ruger, or 454 Casull. Real world down range impact there isn't a cats whisker width of difference. Yes I reload but sometimes ya just want/need to buy a box of ammo and not go screwing around.

 

454 absolutley because you can shoot 45 colts in it to give your wrist a "break".

 

I would choose the 454 Casull ... simply on the versatility of ammo . You can always shoot factory 45 Colt ammo when you need / want too .
You can reload 45 Colt brass to +P levels and shoot those when 454 brass is "Not In Stock" .

The 480 Ruger is a one-trick pony ... ad rather limited in what brass you can use . If it gets out of favor with consumers ... the ammo companies will drop it like a hot-rock .
I don't see the 45 Colt / 454 Casull going away any time soon .

Is the real answer ... Buy One of Each !
Could be ,
Gary

 

I get the 454’s versatility. I’m in a holding pattern looking for the right deal to come along on a SRH. I have a brand new Series 70 Colt competition 5in I really should move along before I buy something. I’m open to trades wink wink!

The versatility of the 454 is cool but I have a few rugers in 45 colt so the versatility isn’t as important to me. I’d prefer to go 480 being heavily into reloading but again I’ll take what I can get.

 

Sounds like you need / want a 480 Ruger ...

My advice ... Buy a 480 Ruger and be Happy-Happy !
Gary

 

Since you are a handloader, it comes down to your intended purpose. The 454c is a flatter shooting round. If I was going on an African safari, I would say 454 all day long. The 480 ruger, to me, is a much easier shooting round. The recoil impulse is very different. A 454 will quickly muzzle flip into your forehed if not careful. A 480R is a gentler push into the palm of your hand.

 

I own 2 480 revolvers, a 4.5” Super Blackhawk Bisley and a 6” BFR, and A 6” F/A .454 with the auxiliary .45 Colt cylinder. I love the .480, it is my favorite cartridge. Ammo and brass are Very Limited for the .480. I reload and cast my own bullets. Brass has been very scarce. I started with 125 Starline and promptly reordered more. After a 22 MONTH wait the additional 150 cases arrived 6 months ago. I now have another 150 Starline cases due to arrive tomorrow. Don’t be caught empty handed as the runs on brass can be seasonal. The .454 is FUN cartridge to load and shoot, but in northern Michigan the 480 with a 355 - 400 grain cast at 1100 fps will do anything I need and it is pleasant to shoot. P.S. I am 73 years old and only the top tier loads in .454 and .475 Linebaugh produce enough recoil to cause me to ,limit range session to 12-15?rounds. Flinches are hard to get rid of.

 

.454 Alaskan will wind up crimp jumping on you at some point in time..

 

Do you think that’s more of an issue with the Alaskan barrel length of 2.5in like in your picture? I had a toklat for a few years and never had an issue. I only put 250rds through it so no high round count testing. Most of that was hornady XTPs, Buffalo bore, and or grizzly hard cast stuff.

 

I have 3 firearms in 480 Ruger, two wheel guns and a Rossi lever rifle. Was very excited when the 480 came out.

Neither of those calibers are for faint of heart, and can be downright hurtful if you don't know what you are doing. The 480R does feel like the recoil pulse is tamer than the 454. That being said, reloading with Trailboss makes the 480R a delight to shoot at the range.

Was sorely disappointed, nay, angry when even Ruger dropped the 480R from their line-up. 480R is an excellent big bore pistol cartridge with a lot of flexibility if you reload.

454 will be more practical, and ammo is more accessible. If you reload, there is no reason to pass on a 480 Ruger. If I had to do it over again, I would have gone with the 454. 454 ammo and brass is easier to find. I won't get rid of my 3 480Rs. Just have to roll my own to keep it fed.

 

If it hasn’t been said already starline currently has 480 brass available so now is the time to get some

 

I don’t own either one, but if I were going to buy one or the other, it would be the .454 Casull. Lighter load options, (.45 Colt and Schofield come to mind) and if you reload, .45 caliber bullets are cheaper and more readily available. At 78, my mastodon hunting days are well behind me, so that’s just one man’s opinion.