.480 Ruger - Why didn’t it catch on?

[Steve300xcw]

After having a Smith 69 as my first wheel gun I'd definitely rather have a 22

What? Man that is such a sweet lil pistol. Grips do make a big difference though. Took me a few sets until I found what I needed The 4" version is on my shortlist

 

[Chris in TN]

The trend among the most successful handgunners today are rapidly expanding bullets like CEB Raptors rathet than the wide meplat, non-expanding style.

Non-expanding?

 

[Choupique]

Really want to try a 45lc

Do it.

Reloads are cheep cheep and a ruger only loads are stout.

 

[Nomosendero]

Taurus and Freedom Arms also chambered 480 wheelguns and TC made 12" Encore barrels for it.

And Magnum Research, the BFR, which is what I have considered.
I will say my SRH 44 Mag does quite well!

 

[PNWTO]

Taurus and Freedom Arms also chambered 480 wheelguns and TC made 12" Encore barrels for it.

I keep telling my buddy at Taurus to do a run of 480 Raging Hunters. His replies are usually to the tune of:

“We’ll sell dozens!”

Sadly, he’s probably right. I think that tiny corner of the market probably already has 480 or they are dreaming of the BFR or FA builds.

And it’s also hard for me to say I’d be a potential customer. I don’t reload and I’m happy with the Federal loads for 44 and 454.

 

[onlybrowning]

The .480 is a good round to reload for. I have a 7.5” BFR .475 Linebaugh that I rarely shoot full power loads in. I had a Ruger SRH 7.5” barrel in .480 as well, but traded it off. If you reload, you can make some much lower recoiling ammo with Unique or other pistol powders. Usually those loads are way more fun to shoot and still plenty powerful for “close” range hunting.

In this case, .41 mag, .44 mag, .45 Colt are great choices.

 

[ZAK13]

It's a very good cartridge, very capable. Why it didn't catch on is a mystery. Relatively mild recoil wise compared to other large caliber pistol cartridges. Seen a few single shot rifles chambered in the .480 Ruger. Easy to hand load as well.

 

[Jpsmith1]

Non-expanding?



View attachment 1093296

Got a hunch this guy will do as much or more damage

 

[onlybrowning]

On a related note, I’ll continue to post this anywhere I can in hopes it will come true one day. A 6” Ruger double action with a GP100/SRH grip (same grip on both of those) in .41, .44, or .45 Colt would be awesome.

 

[Chris in TN]

Got a hunch this guy will do as much or more damage View attachment 1093368

You may be right. I simply don’t know and don’t believe it’s really germane to the OP’s question nor to my (limited) remaining uses for revolvers.


But don’t think pre-stressed segments were invented by the copper bullet salesmen.

 

[Texas270]

It's a very good cartridge, very capable. Why it didn't catch on is a mystery. Relatively mild recoil wise compared to other large caliber pistol cartridges. Seen a few single shot rifles chambered in the .480 Ruger. Easy to hand load as well.

I think it was just wrong place wrong time plus machismo influence of wanting the strongest vs the most realistic. It’s like the revolver version of the .40s&w… my favorite semi-auto cartridge

 

[Texas270]

The .480 is a good round to reload for. I have a 7.5” BFR .475 Linebaugh that I rarely shoot full power loads in. I had a Ruger SRH 7.5” barrel in .480 as well, but traded it off. If you reload, you can make some much lower recoiling ammo with Unique or other pistol powders. Usually those loads are way more fun to shoot and still plenty powerful for “close” range hunting.

In this case, .41 mag, .44 mag, .45 Colt are great choices.

What did you think of the 7.5” SRH in .480?

 

[schmidty3]

I *almost* bought a 454 or a 480....

But my dad had given me an old 41 mag. I decided to try to maximize that and see if i really wanted a bigger gun....Put a dot on it. Shot it a decent amount.

Popped a hog at about 50 yards while prepping a deer stand. Went down, did a breakdance for about 5 seconds got up and ran off across the property line. "Man that kinda hurt the ears".

Swapped to a heavy hard cast load...

My day during deer season finally came. Nice plump doe at like 40-50 yards. Rolled over prone and got steady. Touched it off. Proceeded to assume the fetal position. Like a flash bang went off. Doe never moved. I was incapacitated for 5+ minutes.

**** this...

Shot that doe with my silenced AR. And swore to never shoot a unsilenced gun ever again (totally forgot to bring earpro)

If a bear is charging me give me a 9mm. Still loud asf. But at least im not flash banging myself.


Oh and a 77 gr tmk does more damage than any magnum revolver. So theres that

They are cool guns though. So if you want to go that route then do the American thing. I think a 454 makes more sense being that you can shoot some 45 Colts out of it.

 

[ZAK13]

I think it was just wrong place wrong time plus machismo influence of wanting the strongest vs the most realistic. It’s like the revolver version of the .40s&w… my favorite semi-auto cartridge

The .40S&W is my favorite cartridge as well!

 

[Ozarkansas]

It's a very good cartridge, very capable. Why it didn't catch on is a mystery. Relatively mild recoil wise compared to other large caliber pistol cartridges. Seen a few single shot rifles chambered in the .480 Ruger. Easy to hand load as well.

As a fan of obscure and under-appreciated cartridges, a .480 rifle would be fun for straight-wall season. I have no reason to get one over my existing 45/70, but it would still be fun