Real world opinions on 454 Ruger SRH?

[Axle2010]

Hey guys I'm looking at a SRH in 454, I've wanted a 454 for years in a double action. Are there any years that are better or worse than others? I'm looking at a 9.5" barreled target grey one, not crazy about the grey but 9.5" are hard to find. I understand the target grey only came in the early 2000's is there anything wrong with those? I'm probably getting a smith to get the finish off and lighten the trigger a bit. Thanks for any info

 

[Never Been]

I don't have any experience with one for you, I went the 480 Ruger route but there is a couple on Gunbroker right now in the 9.5".

 

[CoElkHunter]

I have a SRH in .454 with the target gray finish and factory wooden grips with a 9.5" (Magna ported-factory?) barrel. I love that finish and the only reason Ruger stopped manufacturing it was that it was more expensive than stainless steel.

 

[450 Dakota]

Depends on what your plans are. That 9.5 isn’t going to carry well. I had a 7.5 and sold it to get a freedom arms 4 1/2 to carry in Alaska. I sold it when I left Alaska. Didn’t care that you have to carry a freedom arms on an empty chamber, especially since it was a 5 shot. Just picked up a Ruger Toklat with the 5 inch barrel, 6 shot. For my needs it is the best fit of the 3.

 

[Axle2010]

I don't have any experience with one for you, I went the 480 Ruger route but there is a couple on Gunbroker right now in the 9.5".

I like the 480, if they still offered any ammo for it I'd love to have one. I'll be reloading the 454 but at least i can get some factory stuff to have a base line to start from.

 

[CoElkHunter]

Depends on what your plans are. That 9.5 isn’t going to carry well. I had a 7.5 and sold it to get a freedom arms 4 1/2 to carry in Alaska. I sold it when I left Alaska. Didn’t care that you have to carry a freedom arms on an empty chamber, especially since it was a 5 shot. Just picked up a Ruger Toklat with the 5 inch barrel, 6 shot. For my needs it is the best fit of the 3.

I too would like to find a .454 SRH with a 5" barrel. Wonder what it would cost to shorten one with their 7.5" barrel to 5"? Their 2.5" Alaskan would be too much recoil for me.

 

[Axle2010]

I have a SRH in .454 with the target gray finish and factory wooden grips with a 9.5" (Magna ported-factory?) barrel. I love that finish and the only reason Ruger stopped manufacturing it was that it was more expensive than stainless steel.

That is exactly the same gun in looking at but without the porting. The 9.5" barrels are hard to find.
450 Dakota I'll be hunting deer and pigs with it and just shooting on my home range. I have no reason to carry other than when I'm hunting. I'll likely scope it unless I can figure out those square blocky sites i don't really like. I love my SBH 44 mag but I don't like the sites.

 

[Axle2010]

I too would like to find a .454 SRH with a 5" barrel. Wonder what it would cost to shorten one with their 7.5" barrel to 5"? Their 2.5" Alaskan would be too much recoil for me.

There are several Toklat specials on GB list i looked. They are cool just look a bit funny to me with the short barrel on the big frame

 

[CoElkHunter]

I like the 480, if they still offered any ammo for it I'd love to have one. I'll be reloading the 454 but at least i can get some factory stuff to have a base line to start from.

I too have looked at the .480 Ruger. You can almost reload it to .475 Linebaugh ballistics but finding reasonably priced factory ammo/reloading brass is a problem. IMO, Ruger should've chambered their SRH in the Linebaugh which would have revitalized that cartridge similar to the Casull in a 6 shot DA revolver.

 

[Axle2010]

I too have looked at the .480 Ruger. You can almost reload it to .475 Linebaugh ballistics but finding reasonably priced factory ammo/reloading brass is a problem. IMO, Ruger should've chambered their SRH in the Linebaugh which would have revitalized that cartridge similar to the Casull in a 6 shot DA revolver.

Oh a 475 Linebaugh Redhawk! To bad there's no way to affordably convert a 44 to it.

 

[CoElkHunter]

You know, as a side note, Ruger has a history of bringing obscure cartridges back from the dead with affordable firearms that everyone can afford. I had a Ruger 77 .220 Swift back in the mid '70s. I don't believe anybody else manufactured a factory rifle in that cartridge at the time. Bill Ruger brought the .416 Rigby back from obscurity with his 77 RSM rifle. Same with the Casull in '97 in an affordable 6 shot DA revolver. Freedom Arms was first to produce a factory .454 5 shot SA revolver in '83, but just like now, very few shooters can afford one. Long live Ruger!

 

[Never Been]

The brass problem isn't so big of a deal with 475 Linebaugh being so readily available, lots of people just trim. I like my brass to match my gun, so I picked up 500 pieces of 480 from the run Starline did back in March or April.