|
|
Post by dovehunter on Apr 19, 2016 8:38:10 GMT -5
I saw in this month's American Hunter magazine that Ruger was (or already had) coming out with 2 new chamberings for the Super Blackhawk: .454 Casull and .480 Ruger. They both apparently had 5-shot cylinders. I was surprised though that both apparently only come with 6-1/2" barrels. I would have thought they would also come in 10" barrels, giving you a longer sighting radius. I would bet that they kick like a mule.
|
|
|
|
Post by Jack on Apr 20, 2016 4:59:25 GMT -5
I bet that 454 does kick! And bark, too!
I'm surprised there isn't a 7 1/2 inch barrel option - that length is kind of a standard in the single actions.
|
|
|
|
Post by dovehunter on Apr 20, 2016 8:42:19 GMT -5
...I'm surprised there isn't a 7 1/2 inch barrel option - that length is kind of a standard in the single actions. I am too, especially in their big bore, hard kicking guns. My son's 45 Colt Blackhawk has the 7-1/2" barrel and it really helps with accurate shooting. The weight of the extra barrel length may even help slightly with the recoil. I load maximum - 44 mag equivalent - loads for it as we had intended trying to deer hunt with it. |
|
|
|
Post by Jack on Apr 21, 2016 5:04:00 GMT -5
I'm sure you know you can use 45 Colt ammo in a 454 Casull. I don't know what other cartridges will chamber in a 480 Ruger.
|
|
|
|
Post by Purebred Redneck on Apr 21, 2016 21:36:21 GMT -5
I don't understand at all why they are not making this gun with the integral scope mounts; it makes no sense. For the most part, hunters are putting on optics on handguns. And it doesn't matter at all to back country Alaskans that their gun's looks are marred by the mounts.
My guess is the gun focuses on bear defense instead of hunting. I can see the 6 1/2 being a little easier to carry
|
|
|
|
Post by dovehunter on Apr 22, 2016 8:43:50 GMT -5
...My guess is the gun focuses on bear defense instead of hunting. I can see the 6 1/2 being a little easier to carry You're probably right about the bear defense bit. I know all of the Alaska shows on TV show most all of them are wearing a Super Blackhawk when out in the field. That being the case though, I would have thought an even shorter barrel, say 4-3/4" or so, would be handier for bear defense. As far as integral scope mounts ae concerned, I seem to recollect that there is a Super Blackhawk Hunter model that has the integral scope mounts. I admit that I didn't read the whole article in American Hunter magazine. It may be that both different barrel lengths and/or integral scope mounts may be available. P.S. - I just checked Ruger's web site and the new gun is only available in the Bisley frame, with 6-1/2" barrel, and with stainless steel finish. The Bisley Hunter model is only available in 44 mag. They may add extra barrel lengths, etc. later on, I guess depending on the popularity of the new chamberings. I have always had a passion for the 10.5" barreled, stainless steel Super Blackhawk in .44 mag. However, even if I had the money for one (which I don't), I just can't justify getting it.  |
|
|
|
Post by Jack on Apr 22, 2016 16:25:54 GMT -5
Red, I think you've hit it - they are marketing this gun as a bear defense carry along. That might explain the 6 1/2 inch barrel instead of longer.
I know that a big mega cannon sidearm or a shotgun with slugs is standard wardrobe in parts of Alaska.
|
|
|
|
Post by Purebred Redneck on Apr 23, 2016 10:04:47 GMT -5
Well then, let's go ahead and assume the marketing is for bear defense.
Who is going to buy this gun? Alaskans and maybe some lower 48 in brown bear areas.
They already have big bore Redhawk and S&W revolvers if they feel they need something bigger than a 44mag! So the only ones buying these are
1. Those with the 44mag who want to trade up (which I assume most people are perfectly happy with)
2. People who are just turning 21
3. People who are moving out of the towns and into the country (and this assumes they are talked out of a 44mag)
4. People who want to start deer hunting / upgrade from a 357 and want to use iron sights. I can see someone buying a brand new 454 instead of a used older 45lc or new 44
I'm saying 44mag a lot in this post. So I don't see many of these sold. That being said, the tooling required for this is very very minimal. You might as well make 1000 of these and see how they sell.
|
|
|
|
Post by dovehunter on Apr 24, 2016 7:23:39 GMT -5
I personally can't see either the .454 Casull or .480 Ruger (or even the .500 S&W for that matter) replacing the .44 mag., even for bear defense. For one thing the main place bear defense would be needed would be in Alaska and I would be surprised if any of the off-beat caliber ammo would be available in some little out of the way trading post. One thing that would probably help with the popularity of the "hand cannon" ammo would be for Marlin (or someone) to chamber a short, handy lever action carbine for them. I guess sometimes gun makers think the best way to sell more guns is to chamber them for more or different calibers. I think this holds true for long arms as well as handguns.
|
|
