Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns 480 Ruger

I saw one in a movie it was the Alaskan model.
It was impressive! I think Elmer Keith would like it.

I think anyone around bigger animals, from Moose to grizzly bears would like them. Or any one who would like to be. It's a good caliber with similar recoil to a hot 44 mag.

Did it look like this?



Actually pretty accurate for a 2 1/2" bbl and recoil manageable



Paul

I like it! It could work for concealed carry in winter.

Mine only weighs 42 oz unloaded. Loaded w/six 400gr bullet cartridges brings the weight up to 50 oz. Of course you can load anything from 275gr Barnes copper HPs to 420+ cast depending upon your needs. Some might consider it a bit bulky for concealed carry, although a good holster will help. I carried mine around (concealed) one day while walking the dogs and pretty much forgot about it. Loaded it down to about 850 fps w/370gr and one of the guys at the range was consistently hitting a full size popper at 70 yds. Pretty easy shooting snubbie.

FWIW,

Paul

I know mine isn't the Alaskan but I picked up one of the Bisley 480s last year at Cabelas. It was new but substantially marked down for a minor cosmetic flaw. I am getting to know the gun and really liking it. Heavy loads have heavy recoil but nowhere near as sharp as the few 454s I've fired. I've been trying some 370 grain WLN from a Mountain Mold, some 400 grain Lee FP and some 400 grain Lee SWC bullets and just got a Mihec mold for a 420 grain WLN (haven't tried that one yet). So far I haven't found a bullet it doesn't like.



This little blemish knocked the price down. A lot.



Found some used but very serviceable correctly handed leather for it.

I have two. Will enjoy shooting them eventually.

I had one and it was a great piece - very accurate.

I had a chance to squeeze a few rounds out of TexNCal's Bisley chambered for the 480 Ruger, and really was impressed. Like others have mentioned, The recoil is very different than loosing a 454 Casull.

I'm always limited by barrel length. In Iowa 4" barrels on handguns are the minimum legal barrel length.

5" would be the perfect length for a 480 SRH. I've had a 7 1/2" srh 480 since they came out and it's the most accurate revolver I've ever owned.

Mart That is a right smart looking revolver you have there. Cheers NC

They also brought out one in the 4-5/8" barrel. I had the 6-1/2 and now the 4-5/8" and prefer the shorter barrel. I've also got the Alaskan which is nice for carrying, but there is a gun that would work for you.

Thank you sir.

Hey Mart - I have the exact same revolver. What vels you getting with the bullets you listed in your revolver?

Good to know. Thanks. I see it's a Lipsy so it won't be around for long. Better check the gun fund. lol

I haven't run my loads over a chronograph yet. I plan to do some extensive testing after moose season closes. So from October on I'll be doing a lot of load development with it and a few other revolvers.

Actual chronographed velocities 4" barrel Winchester large primer ww296 all lead LFN gas checked bullets:
Starline brass 146 grain weight
22.0 grains 1056 fps
23.0 1077
23.5 1110
Hornady brass 141 grain weight
22.0 996
Sticky extraction with Hornady brass but Starline brass fell from cylinder

Thanks!

Using Hornady brass, CCI 350 primers, H110, 400 gr WFNGC:

21.0 - 1016
21.5 - 1072
22.0 - 1102

Using 2400
19.0 - 1045
19.5 - 1084
20.0 - 1122

Those vels seem a bit slow to me. H110 was much more accurate than 2400.

Out of my 7 1/2" SRH 21.0 gr of H-110 sparked off with a CCI-350 will push a 390-410 gr cast +/- 1200 fps. I'd expect a 4 5/8" barrel to loose 100 fps, and I've heard the recent generation of Ruger 480's are ~100 fps slower than the early SRH's though I have no idea why.

If you're looking for a bit more out of your 480 you can get a custom mold cut that will allow you to seat the bullet out to take advantage of the length of the cylinder.



Should be good for an extra 100-150 fps, if you can handle the recoil. When pushing 400 gr, you notice an increase in recoil with a mere 50 fps. When you jump 150 fps, you really notice the recoil.