.480 Ruger

[Lefty SRH]

Looks as though Ruger is bringing back the Super Redhawk .480 back to production, including the Alaskan .480 version.

[BCall]

I see them listed on Ruger's site now, is this what you are referring to or did you hear it somewhere else? Ruger lists them as 6 shot guns, hopefully they will be smart enough to reintroduce them as a 5 shot. If they do, I'll order one immediately.

[Charlie, AKA The Deacon]

Sweet, I really like mine.

[snowwolfe]

I see them listed on Ruger's site now, is this what you are referring to or did you hear it somewhere else? Ruger lists them as 6 shot guns, hopefully they will be smart enough to reintroduce them as a 5 shot. If they do, I'll order one immediately.

What makes you prefer a 5 shot over a 6 shot?

[Lefty SRH]

What makes you prefer a 5 shot over a 6 shot?

5 shot .480 is a stronger gun.

[tek4260]

Wonder if they finally listened and will be offering a 480 Blackhawk soon? That could be a reason for making a run of the Super Redhawks, to get some 480's ready for the articles on the new Blackhawk and the probable renewed interest in the caliber.

[BCall]

What makes you prefer a 5 shot over a 6 shot?

Personal preference really. Like lefty said it is a stronger gun. Although I have no personal experience with it, there were some reports (real or imagined, I have no idea) of the 6 shot cylinders having some brass sticking problems. I would just prefer the thicker cylinder walls of a 5 shot cylinder.

[Lefty SRH]

Wonder if they finally listened and will be offering a 480 Blackhawk soon? That could be a reason for making a run of the Super Redhawks, to get some 480's ready for the articles on the new Blackhawk and the probable renewed interest in the caliber.

I'd love to see Ruger produce the SBH Bisley Hunter in .480! 5 shot of coarse.

[Three44s]

I am not a sill. shooter and for my purposes, a load just a bit under max is about all I forsee needing.

The hottest loads I have shot in my six shot SRH have been about one grain under max with H110 but pushing 400 gr. J-words and 370 gr. factory cast with NO sticking.

I welcome the news that Ruger may well bring this great weapon back and if it's a five shot, and perhaps a single action model(s) offered that is great!

As I see it though, a six shot ran judiciously is fine. If that is a given, and you want more horsepower ........ get a .475L and have it all!!

Three 44s

[Charlie U.]

Will the new production 480s be brushed stainless or will they be making em in Target Grey like they used to?

[wtfooptimax200]

This is excellent...when I bought my 480 SRH it was $200 less than the 44 mag or 454 because of it being discontinued by Ruger. I love the cartridge and am very glad to see that it may live on!

[Viper225]

The newer production ones (Before This Reintroduction) were Stainless Steel. I am thinking about 20 some odd SS ones were the last ones made before this run. I would bet the new ones will be Stainless also. Personally I would prefer them in Target Grey for hunting. I have a 7-1/2 and a 9-1/2 in Target Grey, so I will not be buying another one. BUT if I bought a SS one I would probably put a Rattle Can Camo Finish on it for hunting.

I have no problem with it being a 6 shot. I hunt White Tail Deer. I normally down load mine 200 FPS under max or so anyway.

For me a Full House 480 Ruger load out of a SRH with Tamer Grips is at my Maximum Recoil Tolerance Level. I will not be shooting anything that recoils harder than a 480 Ruger.

In my opinion the 480 Ruger is the best Revolver Hunting Round ever offered. It has a near perfect balance between Power and Bullet Diameter. A Big Hole In, and a Big Hole Out is the perfect combination for success with a hunting revolver.
My 9-1/2" with 30mm UltraDot has put One Doe, an 8 point Buck, and an 11 point Buck in the freezer so far. I did not tag a Doe this season due to us loosing a large number of deer to Black Tongue. I Counted Coup on every one that came by my Ladder Stand during season. That was good enough.

Bob

[odoh]

Cud a 5-shot be re-chambered to .475L?

[snowwolfe]

It would be easy to rechamber as long as the chamber was long enough as the 475 is slightly longer. But then you need to realize all warranty would go out the window.

I am starting to really like short barreled revolvers. Think when these get in the pipeline and prices stabilize the Alaskan is on my wish list.

[44man]

I love the BFR .475 but there is nothing it can do that the .480 can't. A great caliber on it's own.
I think more calibers go away from the name then what they can do.

[jwp475]

Cud a 5-shot be re-chambered to .475L?

Yes and a 6 shot can be as well. The Carpenter Steel that Ruger use is the 480 SRH is Very strong and more than up to the task. The 480 is SAAMI spec'ed at 48,000psi and the 475L is spec'ed at 50,000 psi

[44man]

Yes and a 6 shot can be as well. The Carpenter Steel that Ruger use is the 480 SRH is Very strong and more than up to the task. The 480 is SAAMI spec'ed at 48,000psi and the 475L is spec'ed at 50,000 psi
Very well said.
I remember the .280 Rem, as good as it gets but it had a poor selling. Then they changed to the 7mm Express name and it sold better.
Would the .480 have done better if called the .475 Ruger?
Those that own the .480 just love it. Sometimes it is all in the name.

[tek4260]

Very well said.
I remember the .280 Rem, as good as it gets but it had a poor selling. Then they changed to the 7mm Express name and it sold better.
Would the .480 have done better if called the .475 Ruger?
Those that own the .480 just love it. Sometimes it is all in the name.

Thought it was 7 re to 280.

[44man]

Thought it was 7 re to 280.
I am sure it was the other way around because the 7mm mag was so popular. It was introduced in 1957 as the .280. From 1979 to 1980 it was listed as the 7mm Express. The 7mm mag was brought out in 1962.
Then it was changed back to the .280 because of confusion.

[475/480]

I would be shocked to see a Ruger 5 shot anything. To many people would want to rechamber the gun to 475 Linebaugh and blow up the guns and Ruger would get sued . I don't see a 5 shot Ruger 480 coming anytime.

Sean

[shorty500M]

I would be shocked to see a Ruger 5 shot anything. To many people would want to rechamber the gun to 475 Linebaugh and blow up the guns and Ruger would get sued . I don't see a 5 shot Ruger 480 coming anytime.

Sean

i agree that doubt Ruger ever does any 5shot guns but due to minor pressure differences and fact that gunsmiths have safely rechambered the 6shots to .475 already dont believe safety is a problem. If Ruger was concerned about liability from potential rechambering/blowups then the 1st gun would have never shipped. Besides blowups usually leave enough of a cylinder to prove rechambering which would have nulled the factory warranty and guarantee

[Lloyd Smale]

it was brought out as the 280 in the pumps and autoloaders. It was a poor seller because it was downloaded and the 270s were available in the same gun and gave better performance. They reintroduced it as the 7 express wanting to coat tail on the 7mags popularity and chambered it in bolt guns too and brought out a150 and 140 grain load along with the lame 165 load but the 140 was still in second compared to the 130 270 ammo of the day. that along with a few accidents because dumb *** people were sticking 7 express ammo in 7mags and rem decided to call it 280 again. Ive owned at least one for over 35 years and it along with the 257roberts have allways been my favorite non mag rounds for deer hunting.

[44man]

it was brought out as the 280 in the pumps and autoloaders. It was a poor seller because it was downloaded and the 270s were available in the same gun and gave better performance. They reintroduced it as the 7 express wanting to coat tail on the 7mags popularity and chambered it in bolt guns too and brought out a150 and 140 grain load along with the lame 165 load but the 140 was still in second compared to the 130 270 ammo of the day. that along with a few accidents because dumb *** people were sticking 7 express ammo in 7mags and rem decided to call it 280 again. Ive owned at least one for over 35 years and it along with the 257roberts have allways been my favorite non mag rounds for deer hunting.
Yeah, there were some screw ups and the .270 kind of hurt the .280. Both great rounds anyway.
I had a 700 in .280 for a long time and sold it to my friend. It was harsh on deer but was just too easy with no deer in sight going back home! I love the .270 and .280 but have no need for a rifle here and use revolvers only.
The 740 was never as accurate as the 760 but both could take any pressure the bolt guns could so why they made the .280 weaker is strange. The 760 would out shoot about any bolt gun with 1/2" groups at 100. I never did as good with the auto.
The .280 bolt gun I had was one of the first plastic stocks and the junk flexed off the barrel. I routed out the forearm channel and steel bedded a stainless aircraft tube in it to stop flex. I free floated it and accuracy was astounding. It is still going strong in my friends hands with many deer shot.
Back to the .480! Nothing more is needed for any animal. The quest for more velocity can be wrong. I bought the .475 because I wanted the BFR and the Ruger could not be found anyway.
I have thoughts about Ruger and Magnum Research and feel there is an agreement where MR makes the larger stuff. Pine Tree makes all the castings for both and the BFR is just a large Ruger. I think they work together and it is to our advantage in the end.

[white eagle]

The 280 ai is the best thing going
the 480 is just 200 more

[44man]

The 280 ai is the best thing going
the 480 is just 200 more
If any deer thumbs it's nose at you with either, go home and watch football! :drinks:

[MT Chambers]

I think that the FA '83 in .454, .475,.500 would scratch the itch for folks wanting a powerful 5 shot SA. I do like the .480 cal., just don't like the thin cyl. walls on the 6 shots, I don't even like the wall thickness on the Blackhawk .45 Cyls.

[Lloyd Smale]

Heck sean some idiots are allready punch out the 6 shot guns to 475. If theyd make an alaskan in 475 5 shot i think id have to bite! Like you i dont see it comming. As a matter of fact i wouldnt hold my breath for a good long time on seeing them in 6 shot. Im sure right now rugers is pushing all the minis, ars, and black pistols out they can make and arent worried to much about revolvers.
I would be shocked to see a Ruger 5 shot anything. To many people would want to rechamber the gun to 475 Linebaugh and blow up the guns and Ruger would get sued . I don't see a 5 shot Ruger 480 coming anytime.

Sean

[white eagle]

+1 on that Lloyd

[dk17hmr]

If Ruger brought out a 5 shot single action in 480 I would have to be the first one to own one in town, since my wife already said I Freedom arms is out of the question. I like big bore revolvers, but only own a 454 right now, 500's don't interest me. The last 480 I shot was a Ruger Super Redhawk, same as my 454, and the 480 was easier to shoot.

[white eagle]

Yeah mine is like a 45 colt as far as ease of shooting
the cylinder walls don't bother me I just keep sane loads and trust the R&D dept of Ruger
I think the reason they quit making is because people were trying to make the 480 a 475L

[r1kk1]

If you want a Linebaugh, Gary Reeder will make you a five shot cylinder for it. I don't see a problem with the current setup other than I would like one with the 9.5" barrel. I don't know why Ruger didn't go with the Linebaugh. There are many Blackhawks chambered in this and the 500 albeit 5 shot cylinders. I hear the Alaskan is a five shot and a fellow could put a longer barrel on it.

Take care

r1kk1

[Lefty SRH]

If you want a Linebaugh, Gary Reeder will make you a five shot cylinder for it. I don't see a problem with the current setup other than I would like one with the 9.5" barrel. I don't know why Ruger didn't go with the Linebaugh. There are many Blackhawks chambered in this and the 500 albeit 5 shot cylinders. I hear the Alaskan is a five shot and a fellow could put a longer barrel on it.

Take care

r1kk1

Its my understanding, the .480 was developed because a big wig at Hornady didn't want something as punshing (recoil wise) as the .475L but still wanted a bigger bore than the .454 Casull. This individual is also good buddies with a big wig at Ruger. There you have the .480 Ruger was born. And I thank these two gentlemen for that. Another thing I have heard is very early brass production resulted in a head stamp of .480 Hornady or .475 Hornady until they settled on a permanent head stamp. I'd love to find and have a few pieces of this early early brass.
I really enjoy my long barreled .480 R SRH.

[tek4260]

Its my understanding, the .480 was developed because a big wig at Hornady didn't want something as punshing (recoil wise) as the .475L but still wanted a bigger bore than the .454 Casull. This individual is also good buddies with a big wig at Ruger. There you have the .480 Ruger was born. And I thank these two gentlemen for that. Another thing I have heard is very early brass production resulted in a head stamp of .480 Hornady or .475 Hornady until they settled on a permanent head stamp. I'd love to find and have a few pieces of this early early brass.
I really enjoy my long barreled .480 R SRH.

I believe the early brass was stamped 475 Ruger. There was some shown on Rugerforum.com a while back.

[timtonya]

I'm shopping for a 44mag. How does the 480 compare for recoil? Can the 480 be loaded down so its comfortable to shoot? I'm looking at mostly target shooting and possibly hunting.

[44man]

I'm shopping for a 44mag. How does the 480 compare for recoil? Can the 480 be loaded down so its comfortable to shoot? I'm looking at mostly target shooting and possibly hunting.
Anything can be downloaded but I might be the most contrary old cuss you will ever see. I believe a revolver should be shot to the highest accuracy with any bullet/boolit. I shoot my most accurate loads all year and all are top hunting loads. The .44 is a ***** cat and now I have to look to see if the thing even fired! [smilie=1: But no wimp loads either, I find no sense in light loads that are not accurate. My .475 and .500 JRH have never seen a light load other then tests, soon to go away.
Accuracy, nothing less, recoil be damned!
When you buy a large caliber from the .41 up, it is for hunting or long range shooting and to turn them into a .38 means you should stay with a .38. See what an old cuss I am?
If a .44 bothers you, stay away from larger. I seen too many .44's for sale with almost a full box of ammo.
I have shot a lot, all the way to the .500 Linebaugh, .500 S&W, etc but some grips on some guns make me refuse. The .50 Alaskan with super shiny Bisley grips made me stop. I would shoot it with rubber grips.

[snowwolfe]

I'm shopping for a 44mag. How does the 480 compare for recoil? Can the 480 be loaded down so its comfortable to shoot? I'm looking at mostly target shooting and possibly hunting.

If you are comparing the recoil from revolvers with full power loads with similar grips the recoil between the two is significant. It is pretty easy to download the 480. My experience are different than 44mans as I find it very easy to find an accurate load with light handgun loads. Afterall, if you want to download and use as a plinking load the majority of the time you will be shooting offhand and very few of us (myself included) can take advantage of a slightly more accurate load while shooting offhand.
Buy some Unique and some 300-325 grain bullets and give it a whirl.

[Lefty SRH]

I've down loaded my .480 BIG time as a "just to see/feel" a 420gr boolit moving at 600fps velocity. WOW, it was more accurate than I ever expected. I used 5gr of Trail Boss. I normally shoot this same at 1150fps and its quite accurate.