Best platform for the 454 casull

My Dan Wesson .445 is just as heavy and it is definitely noticeable.

CraigC said:

people consider the ~20oz difference between a 7.5" Redhawk

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The 454 super redhawk likely weighs more than my standard 44 too. All I'm saying is holding the two at arms length or walking a 12 hour day with them on my hip I noticed no huge difference. They both get heavy after a few hours. The 460 does bother the hip more but I've shot 100+ rounds on more than one occasion and it just doesnt feel as heavy as some. The 10 inch super blackhawk I mentioned in particular. Even on the first cylinder it seems heavy. The shorter barrel x frames balance even better but I dont have one and I'm not sure what the velocity loss would be either.

460Shooter said:

Ah yep. I'm a fairly strong dude, but that weight difference would be pretty noticeable on the hip, and in the hand.

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I'm a 17 year 180 lb weight class powerlifter (I even said to hell with the 6-pack and went in the 198lb class 9 years ago but heartburn and lack of energy convinced me to cut back down). I understand what a 1/2 lb can do believe me. I've been buried in every major lift by a single 2.5 lb weight many times. But when shooting I cant notice the weight on the 460 as much in hand as anyone would think. Idk. Maybe the barrel itself is lighter while most of the weight is the grip frame and the cylinder. Maybe its largely in the grip. Idk. All my Smith's have x-frame rubber grips even my 44s and my rugers have the factory wood. I'm sure it's a balance thing as the scale doesnt lie and I did weigh them. I was also surprised that the redhawk was that much lighter than the blackhawk. On the hip it's slightly worse but my hips aren't exactly in tip top shape anymore anyway. Hence the switch to the 329 or my 10mms for the last many seasons.

Me personally, I'm a 44 magnum fan these days. A 4 to 5 inch 44 is about perfect to me, especially in a DA. I'm also no Smith and Wesson fan these days and I trust my rugers in 44 better than my Smiths which I rarely recommend if anyone plans on shooting a lot of magnum ammo ( mine have been back to smith shot loose by 44 magnum a few times btw with good CS results) . But the question was best 454 platform so I'd recommend the 460 which is just an improved casull and would handle 454 for many many years I'd imagine.

And I'm not bashing the 454 either. I grew up in the 80s and 90s. My dream car was a countach and my dream gun was a raging bull. The second big bore I fired was my sisters raging bull. First was a 41 magnum smith. By the time I got grown and had a little money the mighty countach with its stunning 5+second 0-60 and <400 Hp (on par with a current Camry) as well as the 454 had just been surpassed.

crestoncowboy said:

The 454 super redhawk likely weighs more than my standard 44 too.

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Bigger holes, it weighs less. The .480 is the lightest of them all.

CraigC said:

Bigger holes, it weighs less.

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I've only messed with a 44 and a 480.
Doesnt the super weigh more than my standard redhawk?

crestoncowboy said:

I've only messed with a 44 and a 480.
Doesnt the super weigh more than my standard redhawk?

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How long is the barrel of your Redhawk?

Ruger claims the Redhawk in .44 Magnum with a 7 1/2-inch barrel weighs 54 ounces, while a Super Redhawk with a 7 1/2-inch barrel in .44 Mag weighs 53 ounces. Furthermore, the .454 SRH weighs in at 52 ounces. They're all in the same ballpark.

The one I weighed is a 7 inch blued 44 with the stock grips

No, the SRH is not larger, beefier or heavier. In fact....

That's surprising. I knew the frame wasnt wider but I figured the extension was heavier by a few oz. Makes me wonder why they still make the regular model. Especially since they killed the blued model. I hate to carry the one I pictured much anymore in the woods.

I figure whatever is gained in the frame extension is lost in the grip stud.

If I had the money I would buy a Freedom Arms in 454 Casull. The alternative would be the Ruger SRH.

adcoch1 said:

That blued redhawk of yours is a beauty

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Thanks. I went to buy a blackhawk around 2004 or so for my first hunting handgun. The blackhawk was higher because the redhawk was on sale. Then they did away with the blue and I hated to carry it much in the woods. Now I have others so that one will likely stay in good condition. I just carry it once a year to kill a white tail.

Freedom Arms

Freedom Arms better be the best at that starting price. As for me? Give me a couple of BFR’s maybe in .454 and .475 plus a nice supply of powder, brass, dies and bullets for that price....without a second thought.

adcoch1 said:

Main reason I didn't include FA in the poll, just too darned expensive for me...

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And not worth three times more than a BFR - unequivocally not.

I don't like the Super Redhawk in .454, to me a cartridge that powerful screams single action because that's how I'm going to shoot it 99% of the time.

I also find that single actions revolvers are of better quality than DA's, especially from Ruger.

Crestoncowboy:

"I'm a 17 year 180 lb weight class powerlifter (I even said to hell with the 6-pack and went in the 198lb class 9 years ago but heartburn and lack of energy convinced me to cut back down). I understand what a 1/2 lb can do believe me. I've been buried in every major lift by a single 2.5 lb weight many times. But when shooting I cant notice the weight on the 460 as much in hand as anyone would think. Idk. Maybe the barrel itself is lighter while most of the weight is the grip frame and the cylinder. Maybe its largely in the grip. Idk. All my Smith's have x-frame rubber grips even my 44s and my rugers have the factory wood. I'm sure it's a balance thing as the scale doesnt lie and I did weigh them. I was also surprised that the redhawk was that much lighter than the blackhawk. On the hip it's slightly worse but my hips aren't exactly in tip top shape anymore anyway. Hence the switch to the 329 or my 10mms for the last many seasons."


You sir, are a very unique individual ! Maybe you were part of the X frame design team Seriously, th .44 Mag Redhawk you weighed was not a Super Redhawk was it ? My .454 Super Redhawk scoped is the heaviest pistol I ever wanted to haul around, even years ago in my top shape. It is also the lightest .454 Full Casual level load gun I would shoot on a regular basis. I have a 4 5/8 Bisely with a custom .454 5 shot cylinder conversion for many years, even Magnaported I long quit shooting anything but heavy .45 Colt loads in it . Now the scoped .454 SRH I can actually range test and shoot with somewhat .

Gordon said:

Maybe you were part of the X frame design team Seriously, th .44 Mag Redhawk you

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Nope. Like I said, I dont care for smith and Wesson in general and unless one is wanting a 454/500 or a super light 44 (329pd) then I would always recommend another brand. For the 454 though I personally believe the 460 to be the best platform if you can handle the physical size. I was probably in high school when the 500 was developed or just out of school and digging septic lines for a living (yeah I know, crappy job but somebody had to do it. I did for a year or so while applying for most every job I could.). I went to the first interview that I was offered and I've been there almost 20 years now. I actually read about the 460 in a handgun magazine while in a lounge chair on the beach and decided that I needed one to deer hunt with. The gain twist barrel. The upgrades to the 500 frame to handle even more pressure.... Of course it was some time later before I seen, could afford, and ultimately bought one. I remember reading in that article that with a 4 inch high at 100 yards zero it was only a few inches low at 250 and therefore was the ultimate whitetail handgun. When I got one I killed a few white tail with it for a few years but eventually realized my 44 was just as useful since i didn't want to scope the 460 and it was far quieter.

The 44 (which I pictured on the scale) was not a super redhawk. I incorrectly assumed the super redhawk was heavier as well. However another poster showed links to the Ruger webpage stating that the super, even with its frame extension, is actually 1 oz lighter than the standard redhawk in the same caliber and barrel length. Due to the grip frame and spring changes we suppose.

Its highly unlikely that I ever go back to hunting with the bigger handguns. My skill limits me to 100 or so yards and there is no use carrying louder and bigger (physically the 460 dwarfs the redhawk by a bit and i hunt it thicker woods.). Now I carry a 30 oz 44 magnum and call it good most hunts. If I wanted to scope my handgun it would be a different story. The 454 and 460 are excellent long range handgun calibers.

I recently bought a used FA 454 for about the same price as a new BFR. That ultimately was the decision I had to make...brand new BFR or used FA for the same price. There are a couple of 'cons' that go with the FA, but what swayed me was their line boring technique.

I'm confident I would've been happy with either gun, but I've always wanted an FA.

Ive always wanted a FA. But I've read they are SO well made,so tight and have such small tolerances that it does not take much build up to tie them up . Even Hickock45 had this issue with his FA locking up up his video due to build up. Idk how common this is and I understand it may be unavoidable with such a nice tight revolver. So BFR gets my vote. Seems to have alot of fan fare and built really well. I don't remeber hearing any bad about them other than they don't have the nicest balance, but that's personal opinions.

The SRH is nice to ,my brother has one and it's really not that bad with the 454. Grant it we were shooting 265gr Winchester ammo that supposed to go 1700 fps, so recoil isn't as bad as the heavy for caliber stuff. However he has the rubber/wood grip on it. I have him a hogue tamer grip to try to help his grip consistentcy and I think that will further reduce recoil do to the big fat sorbathal blob built into the grip.

crestoncowboy said:

For the 454 though I personally believe the 460 to be the best platform if you can handle the physical size.

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Personally I don’t think any .460 makes for a good .454. Way too much unnecessary bulk for the shorter .454 round. That and I have yet to meet a .460 that shoots the shorter cased rounds well. Nope the .460 makes for a great .460. If you are not going to take advantage of its superior velocity potential, there is no point lugging around a 4-5 lb. revolver. JMHO.

MaxP said:

Personally I don’t think any .460 makes for a good .454. Way too much unnecessary bulk for the shorter .454 round. That and I have yet to meet a .460 that shoots the shorter cases rounds well. Nope the .460 makes for a great .460. If you are not going to take advantage of its superior velocity potential, there is no point lugging around a 4-5 lb. revolver. JMHO.

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Ah yup. Buy the sized gun you need to shoot the cartridge you want to shoot. It’ll be a better experience.

MidRoad said:

Ive always wanted a FA. But I've read they are SO well made,so tight and have such small tolerances that it does not take much build up to tie them up . Even Hickock45 had this issue with his FA locking up up his video due to build up. Idk how common this is and I understand it may be unavoidable with such a nice tight revolver. So BFR gets my vote. Seems to have alot of fan fare and built really well. I don't remeber hearing any bad about them other than they don't have the nicest balance, but that's personal opinions.

The SRH is nice to ,my brother has one and it's really not that bad with the 454. Grant it we were shooting 265gr Winchester ammo that supposed to go 1700 fps, so recoil isn't as bad as the heavy for caliber stuff. However he has the rubber/wood grip on it. I have him a hogue tamer grip to try to help his grip consistentcy and I think that will further reduce recoil do to the big fat sorbathal blob built into the grip.

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Did Hickok do a video with a FA? I thought I'd seen all of his but don't recall one with a FA revolver. Do you recall the name of the video?