Used .454 Cassul options

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Black Snowman

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Around town I see a pretty steady supply of used .454 Cassul Super Redhawks and Raging Bulls tempting me to get another wheel gun. The SRHs tend to be cheaper than the RBs. I kinda like the wider backstrap on the Bull but I've always been a fan of Ruger revolvers and I already own a Taurus.

Opinions on these two as used guns? I'm leaning tward the SRH for the lower cost and the fact that it's just better looking. Any advantage to the RB or any reason to stay away from the SRH?

For those who would recommend a premium .454, there is a badly abused Freedom Arms .454 at Cabela's here. They only want $2000 for it too . . . um not going that route.
 
I'm really surprised that the SRH are cheaper than the Raging Bulls. Are they all in comparable condition? It's been my experience that most people don't test fire them first and buy them to wow themselves or others. Once they shoot a cylinder or two of the warm 454s, they end up trading them. So I would expect most of the guns to be in top condition.

As far as comparing them, I like the looks of the RB better, too. I personally like the grips that Taurus makes but don't like the colored backstrap. All things considered, go with the Taurus if you like it better but the SRH for better resale value down the road.
 
Ya, most are in like new condition. I figure if I don't like the .454s I can shoot them occasionally and I still have a really over-build .45 Colt :D

I thought perhaps there was something wrong with the SRH that were driving their value down. Unless someone chimes up with something then I guess not.
 
Wouldn't even consider the Taurus; don't like the company (Smartgun nonsense here in NJ), and don't like the graffiti on the barrel.

Ruger's have a reputation for ruggedness; combine that with the fact that as Bacchus said it most likely wasn't shot that much makes it a good choice.

You may want to check the cost of 454 cartridges these days . . . . might consider other calibers as well.
 
One more thing:

Sportsmansguide will often run specials on 454 ammo by MagTech. I've used MagTech in other calibers and it's good for range work.
 
I do not recommend MagTech ammo in 454 Casull for the SRH. After firing, the spent brass consistently stuck in the cylinder. No problems with the Winchester loads. As for your decision regarding the 454, here's my take. I actually enjoy shooting full loads in my guns. The fullload 300 gr Winchester borders on pain when I shoot it, but I like that. Moving down to the 250 gr Winchester reduces the recoil substantially to the point that I can shoot it all day. Go to lighter loads than that and you might as well buy the RH in 44 mag. Personally I don't use 45 LC in my 454, although you can, but it requires careful cleaning of the ring that builds up in the cylinder. If you are just going to shoot 45 LC in the 454, buy another gun meant for 45 LC. Bottomline, if you enjoy a high recoil weapon, get the 454 Casull. If not, get a 44 mag or 45 LC revolver.
 
I have both. I got the RB first .. and do like it very much . I like the cylinder lock-up provision. I am with docglock ...... re ammo etc .... and LOVE that 300 grain Hornady load .. 20 of those (not only mega costly!) but .. you know you've been shootin! The Win 250's are rather whimpy!! I plan to be reloading now I have accumulated some brass ... probably with 320 grain gas checks in front of H-110.

The SRH tho .. I got that because I love the 44 mag SRH and also wanted a longer barrel. The Ruger is very tough altho it is surprising they still keep it as 6 shot - the cyl is hardly that thick looking! Still, it takes it all. Plus with either gun ... it's not the sorta deal where you count ammo thruput in 1,000's ... more like a few hundred maybe - well for me!

As to which one ... hmmm ... on balance if starting off .. I'd get the SRH (first!) ... :D


rage_bull_02_s.jpg




srh_454_02_s.jpg
 
From what I read about the SRH and my own experiences with the beast, I fully expect those handguns to be the only pieces of human engineering to survive to the end of the universe.
 
Bottomline, if you enjoy a high recoil weapon, get the 454 Casull.
Click to expand...

That's exactly the reason I bought my 5" Raging Bull:evil:

BTW, what's the deal with the 454 RB's costing ~$100 more than the same gun chambered in .480 Ruger?
 
Racenutz, you got a scope on that puppy?

IIRC, Taurus does not have a scope mount for the 5" version...
 
Having shot my friends .454 SRH on a few occasions I would definitely recommend that gun. I find that the recoil is stout, but not that bad and shooting it always puts a smile on my face.
 
I read in handloader that the 454 Super Redhawks had problems with sticky extraction on Certain brands of ammo factory and even lighter loaded reloads. Any one have this problem with more than 1 brand of ammo im thinking of adding a 454 Super Redhawk his year myself
 
I have a .480 Ruger - it makes bigger holes than a .454, and with handloading, will just about match it, power wise. The SRH has easy scope mounting.

The FA revolver kicks like a mule, and lots of guys buy them and quickly decide they kick too hard - I really think you should look at one of them, as they are made like fine watches, with exquisite tolerances.

Just remember also, there's lots of older guys who are now experiencing severe hand problems, alegedly due to years of shooting hard kicking pistols. I wear the PAST gloves, myself.
 
P95Carry - Excellent photos of your guns. Noticed the scope mounted on the SRH. I had a scope mounted on mine (454 Casull) using the Ruger rings but took it off because I could not get the scope to stay in one place due to the recoil of the heaviest loads. Even used copious amounts of Locktite. I agree that the light Winchester loads are wimpy. I guess it boils down to taste. When I buy a gun it is with the intent to fire the highest power load that the gun will take. Otherwise, one might as well just by another gun in a smaller caliber. I like the Winchester 300 grain full power load. It's a hell of a punch, but for what the gun was designed to do (shoot Grizzly bears and other very large creatures), that's the load you need. I have developed a tolerance for the heavy load (and one hell of a callous on the proximal joint of my bird finger), so that I can shoot a 20 cartridge box on any given day. But that's my limit. Also makes for a great conversation piece at the range adding to the "social satisfaction" of shooting. Enjoy.
 
Doc .... I am suspicious of my mounts on the SRH .. but in fact so far have managed OK by just checking them pre and post shoots. Seem to be coping so far, but whatever you put on top of these cannons sure as heck has to hang on!:p

In fact earlier I posted re my favored hot loads . they were in fact the Hornady 300 grainers... with the XTP bullet .. I must try the Winchester ''horsepower'' rounds sometime. If they match up to the Hornady ones then they'll be fine!:evil:

Like you, I see no reason to own a cannon and then fire pussy cat loads thru it .. I haven't (yet) tho gotten to the point of a callous on the bird finger!:D

I now have enough brass empty such that once I get some 320 grain gas checks cast ... it'll be homeloads from now on .... tho I do have some .452 XTP's available too.

Way I look at it is .. you either love cannons .... or you hate 'em .. :)
 
I bought my first DA revolver, a 7.5" SRH in .454 Casull, several years ago because of the excellent ergonomics/engineering and the fact that it would also launch my favorite round, the .45 Colt. I did have some ammo related problems - those spent cases of early Hornady and MagTech ammo were hard to extract - a small rod often being needed. Hornady admitted the fault, soft brass designed for more reloading, and actually replaced my stock (#99 & 00 lot numbers) with fresh gratis. Cleaning those cylinders post .45 Colts is important.

Oddly, the SRH is still less expensive than the RB new... American made vs Brazilian... go figure. The SRH is made from a higher strength steel - and, mic those cylinder separations and wall thickness of both - recall that the RB is regular SS. The SRH wins in that comparison - it 'looks' thinner because of the additional hole... (Count them... the SRH is a six-shooter!). I have witnessed, at the range, several Taurus products with significant operational problems... but, oddly, not the .454 RB. I did have a fellow shoot my SRH and then his ported RB - he said my SRH had the lower recoil!

I bought a 2x28mm Weaver H2 handgun scope for both my Ruger MKII and SRH. After the SRH's scope slipped once, I coated the inside of the rings with a thin coat of rubber cement. I have had no problems with it since... sadly, I cannot say the same for the .22 MKII - it continues to shake the mount & rings loose! That scope really helps my 'mature' eyes!

My favorite .454 Casull round - albeit a time of production variable as to it's mv (initially 2,000 fps, then 1,900 fps, now 2,000 fps again...) - is the Hornady 240gr XTP. The latest batch I chrono-ed averaged 1,985 fps. I produced the best 5-round groups with those: 1.625" @ 44yd indoors and 1.5" @ 50yd outdoors - from burnt sandbags (Significant side & muzzle blast - fire hazzard indoors!). By comparison, my .45 Colts have problems grouping better than 5" at 50yd, possibly due to the barrel's slow twist (designed for higher speed .454 Casulls).

My SRH 'broke-in' to be quite good, DA & SA. I tried to improve the DA trigger with Wolff reduced power springs - the OEM hammer spring was returned to duty after a ftf... you definitely don't want to hear a click when you are expecting to launch a .454 Casull round. The OEM grips are excellent, ergonomically, and add to the techno-ugo looks of the SRH - which I like. Yeah, no question... I'd buy another one! In fact, they look neat with a cut-down barrel...

Stainz
 
Around here the RB is consistantly more expensive than the SRH. Often the difference is around 100 bucks. Lately I haven't found any RBs though....

I am currently looking for a RB 6.5 inch barrel, but haven't found one in my area... :/
 
I don't know what the prices you are looking at are but $2000 for a used FA is robbery. I paid 1200 for my 7.5" Premier with 3 boxes of factory blue box freedom arms ammo last year. The guy had shot 18 rounds out of one box and decided it wasn't for him. I routinely see them go for $1000-1200 here and on the internet. I've had the SRHs and they are good guns but I love my FA. When I do my part, it will keep 5 300 grain XTP mags over 32 grains of 296 in 1.5" consistently at 100 yards off the bench with bags. That is with a scope of course but I've found that I like it better without the scope. They touch at 50 without the scope. It is by far the most accurate revolver that I have ever handled personally. They are more expensive but they are built like tanks and you get your money's worth. Good luck with the decision. GS
 
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