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The 480 Riger us alive and well

How's it bark compared to a 45 Colt? Frame of reference here - the 45 Colt is the largest I've touched off myself.

I shoot both and the 480 is quite manageable, especially if you're shooting the lighter (325 grain) weights in it. I have the 45 in both BH as well as RH and the 480 in SRH- a chopped 4" berrel, and a BFR. The BFR is no defensive revolver, but the abbreviated 480 is close to perfect for a double action in this caliber. Still, overall, my personal preference for an easy/always-carry, handy and readily manageable revolver, the 45 Blackhawk is my preference. But, as with any handgun capable of spitting 300+ grains at the speed of sound or better, one needs to shoot a lot more than a few of them regularly if you hope to stay on top of good control.

Sarcasm. LOL

There's a whole thread on 458WIN's (Phil Shoemaker - Alaska Master Guide) defense of clients with a 9mm, that involves every conceivable commentary on what handgun to carry in Alaska.

http://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/11373794/1

For self defense, I agree with Phil, deep penetration and fast shot-to-shot recovery.

That rules out most of the hand cannons displayed in this thread.

For purposeful hunting, they may be OK.

I've had almost every handcannon they make, and now carry a Glock 19 with the right ammo everywhere I go, including Alaska, where my company is based, and I visit often, and where I lived for 6 years.

It's doing quite well, particularly with Ruger releasing the Super Blackhawk in .480 last year. Loaded with heavy bullets it will get your attention, but it won't knock the snot out of you like a Casull loaded to spec. It is more of a heavy push. Great round.

The short barreled Ruger Alaskan will break 1400 FPS with Winchester factory loaded 300 grain jacketed bullets. I'd say that's enough to git r done

I carry whatever suits my fancy that day. It could be a Ruger Bisley in 41 or 44 mag, 45 Colt or 44 Special. It might be a Herters Powermag in 401 or 44. Just depends on my mood. I carry the Flattop Bisley 44 Special more than anything. It's loaded with Keith's load of 17 grains of 2400 and a 429421. I cast them 50/50 WW/lino. I haven't had to draw down on a bear. I did have to put a couple rounds in the dirt in front of a far too curious bull moose last year who kept advancing on me as I dressed a cow.

I've carried a few different ones but have most recently settled on a S&W 69 loaded with 300gr WFNs at 1150. 98% of the time I'm carrying a rifle as well so the handgun is just a spare, more of a "get offa me" gun that kills a deer or three every year. It's a good policy since I mostly hunt alone.

Glock 20 10 MM with 220 grain Buffalo Bores. I can shoot it better than my S&W model 29 in rapid fire.

Its also easier to grab and go with 3 loaded 15 round mags for a quick plane trip or boat ride.

One 10 MM 220 grain might not work but its got 14 friends.

smallfry, what happened?

That's exactly what I carry when bow hunting in bear country in the lower 48. With the Buffalo Bore 220 gr ammo, I don't feel it would be a bad choice for Alaska either.

Knee shootin' bastiges...

No knees....shoot them in the testicles...they will scream louder and draw predators better

Too much gun. All's you need is at most, a 9. A 380 should do, although unproven as of yet.

obviously I don't live in Alaska, but were I to visit, I'd take this S&W .44 mag mountain gun that I already own. Load would be some of the 270 grain GDSP that I load for my Marlin 1894 rifle. It's a proven load on big hogs.

I would not use expanding bullets unless that's all I had.

This sounds like a very smart, well-reasoned choice.