which bad .454 decision should I make here?

Jayne

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For some reason i've started toying with the idea of getting a Ruger Alaskan in .454. I'm planning a trip to Alaska in the next few years, so obviously I should look for a pistol to carry while pooping in the woods.

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I like the idea of the .454 because it's big. I'll reload for it so the cost per round and low round count make it an easy choice for me vs. a .44 mag, because the .44 mag is just so pedestrian. I've got brass and dies for .45LC as well so I can load training ammo all day long.

There used to be a .480 ruger version too but I think it's gone, and I really don't want that caliber anyway, and have zero interest in the 500S&W.

While researching the 2" Alaskan, I also found this:

taurus_ragingjudge0304111.jpg


Taurus Raging Judge. Does .454, .45LC, 2.5" or 3" shot shells. I have a S&W governor I use for snake duty, but with this thing I could sell the S&W off and use this for snakes and the fabled Alaska trip. Turn my somewhat useless snake gun into a somewhat useless snake gun and a somewhat useless big bore cannon. All in 1 package.

So...

1. Ruger Alaskan 2" - smaller, but only does .45LC/.454
2. Taurus Raging Judge 3" - larger, does .45LC/.454 and shot shells, cheaper because I can sell the S&W to help fund

Thoughts? Which bad decision should I make? What am I not considering?
 
Ruger all day every day. Although if you are really looking for something to go walk around the woods in Alaska maybe you just bring a nice 12 gauge with some slugs. I think that is a solid choice there. Or possibly a 45/70 lever action. You either will have time to get a shot off or you won't so rifle vs pistol likely won't matter for speed. Just effectiveness.
 
You can not run fast enough to give me another Judge. I had nothing but trouble with the one I had. Two trips back to Taurus and one to a local gunsmith still did not fix it. I gave it away because I could not sell it in good conscience. Ruger or S&W all day every day. My Alaskan Ruger is in 44 Magnum, but 454 would be a step up.
 
I saw a .454 Ruger in a pawn shop yesterday. Short barrel Alaskan just like above.
 
Since you don’t need a snake gun go ahead and just get the bear gun.

Just use shovel for snakes and mice.
 
I like either the 454 Ruger ... or buy my 10mm (Ruger) , haha.

Hope you don't need it!
 
You can not run fast enough to give me another Judge. I had nothing but trouble with the one I had. Two trips back to Taurus and one to a local gunsmith still did not fix it.

What's the story there? Sounds fairly serious.

I'll admit I've only had 2 taurii in my life, but both were perfectly adequate. Not S&W nice, but they functioned.
 
What's the story there? Sounds fairly serious.

I'll admit I've only had 2 taurii in my life, but both were perfectly adequate. Not S&W nice, but they functioned.
Maybe you are lucky..... When Morris Firearms was open (he retired) he said he sent back more Taurus revolvers than anything. I had a M94?? 22lr go bad on me after 1000 rounds or so.
 
Ruger. Had a 7.5" for a bit. Great gun.

Don't overlook .45Colt offerings. If you're gonna reload anyway a stout .45 can do what you're looking to do.
 
I don’t see the point of a 2” barrel on a bear gun. I would get at least a 4”. Seems like you are just making a really big fireball with a 2” barrel.
 
I really wish Ruger would make a 4" SRH in .454. I'd probably buy one.
 
Then again that Talo 5" is pretty sexy ..... I shouldn't have looked at that....
 
Maybe you are lucky..... When Morris Firearms was open (he retired) he said he sent back more Taurus revolvers than anything. I had a M94?? 22lr go bad on me after 1000 rounds or so.
True that Taurus has problems after Beretta sold off the facility when their contract was finished, it changed owners a few times and they are producing quality again.
Similar to S&W when they paid staff by the piece.
 
Earlier this spring a guy at a range at the beach had a 4” ported S&W in .454Casull he was testing Black Bear loads with. It was a bitch under the shelter ... load and sent dust flying ... but the porting made his heavy hard-cast loads actually very manageable. I know you’re looking for a specific purpose revolver but in .454Casull I’d not go with a 2” barrel if possible.
 
What's the story there? Sounds fairly serious.

I'll admit I've only had 2 taurii in my life, but both were perfectly adequate. Not S&W nice, but they functioned.

I could not get the thing to fire double action most of the time with any type of round I put into it. It would also not reset the trigger unless I pulled the trigger forward with my fingers. One of the chambers would not allow easy ejecting. It sounds like those should be relatively easy to fix, but they never were.
 
I don’t see the point of a 2” barrel on a bear gun. I would get at least a 4”. Seems like you are just making a really big fireball with a 2” barrel.

Hey but if you miss with the bullet you can singe the fur off.... :)
 
He was firing .454Casull out of a .460SW. The .454Casull is basically a shorter brother of the .460SW with about 80% of its energy and to me quite a bit less felt recoil.

I thought it must have been a 460 but also wondered if S&W had gotten tuff enuff to make a .454/.45 Colt only specific revolver. I doubt if that day will happen.
 
No more then you will shoot the gun the Taurus would probably last forever.

But if I’m going where the big boys play I’m taking a Ruger. Built like a tank and can handle hotter ammo.

You really will like the Ruger better, get yourself a chest holster and just smile at those big brown colored bears.
 
I'm leaning toward the Alaskan. Seems much more compact, all thing considered.

I'll have to keep my eyes open at various gun shows so I can put hands on both.
 
The one I had after I dolled it up a little. Im not recoil sensitive, and this gun has some recoil. You need to take my S&W 10 mm. The Alaskan weighs more than you do. especially after your diet.


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I don't see their signs. :rolleyes:

Well, technically, they do have the correct signage. In SC it is a crime to carry with a CWP in a posted or prohibited place. Plus why would you anyway??? Most of the folks on here are all gung-ho, don't tread on me, don't trample on my rights, pro 2A. But will ignore the signs, carry anyway, do business with the very folks who are trampling your rights and treading on you, don't give a crap about your 2A rights, they just want your money.
They put up a sign, I spend my money elsewhere. If all 17 million of us (cross thread points) would do that it would make one hell of an impact. It doesn't impact them when you get all the supposedly pro 2A folks with the attitude of "I don't see their signs", "concealed is concealed", "I'll carry anyway", etc.
 
I do not think that I want to pull the trigger in a 454 short barrel. A 3" 44 mag is enough for me.
 
They have a used Alaskan at TSA marked at $650. It's a little rough around the edges, or more specifically the top strap. Had quite a few dings along the edges, couldn't tell if it had had some sort of scope mount on it or maybe it was carried and banged against something a lot while in a funky holster. Sighted looked OK.

Didn't play with it, but it sure looked... dense. Lotta metal in that thing.
 
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