Ruger "Alaskan" .454 Casull and Cabelas.

[Biggerhammer]

I've been looking for this model for awhile, I like to purchase in person. Very rarely purchase firearms off web sites or auctions. I finally found one at Cabelas but I wouldn't wish their purchasing process on anyone. From start to finish was about a hour and fifteen minutes. I guess I'm just used to my local gun shops, in and out in 15.

The whole process cut into my trigger time so I will be able to test drive it and zero it today. It should be fun!

[yorketransport]

I like it! Is that a new gun, or was it used? I've been trying to find one in 480 Ruger for a while now. Haven't looked that hard, but I always keep my eyes open. That should be snappy to say the least.

I won't buy any guns from Cabelas for the same reason you gave. I bought my Kimber there a few years ago just because I had $400 in Cabelas points to cash in. It took more than an hour. I can be in and out of Mary's Pistols in less than 15 minutes! I did pickup a Leupold Mk 4 ER/T 8.5-25x50 TMR with the M5 turrets at Cabelas today. Got it out of the Bargain Cave for about $1600. Every once in a while you can pull a deal out of Cabelas. The rest of the time they're just over priced.

Andrew

[RifleRidge]

Nice , Very Nice..

[Biggerhammer]

It was new, I believe they got three in. I had been waiting quite awhile.

[jeepasaurusrex]

What I have found is the NICS check that takes forever. But I agree, the whole process takes time.

[Sportfury]

Love it. Nice looking gun. I want a Super Blackhawk Hunter Model with the 7 1/2" barrel.

Let us know what the recoil is like.

[JohnVH]

very nice! +1 on the recoil, thats gotta hurt the web!

[sirmissalot]

That's a pretty *censored* looking gun.

Do you know the weight on it? Looks like they built it heavy... Assuming to reduce felt recoil.

[carpsniperg2]

They are very heavy! LOL They need to be with the 44 454 and 480. I have been eyeing the 44 for awhile now. They are super solid and lock up nice.

[fillthefreezer]

thats a sweet piece, been wanting one if i ever end up hunting in brown bear land.
you must been a recoil freak...

[Atroxus]

A gun that small in a caliber that large makes my wrist hurt just looking at it. Post back though to let us know if it recoils as bad as it looks like it will. 

I have a soft spot for ruger redhawks though. First handgun I ever fired was a super redhawk .44 magnum when I was 8 or 9 and I fell in love despite almost dislocating my trigger finger on the first shot. Is one of the few revolvers on my wish list. I have toyed with the idea of getting a super redhawk in .454 casull but if I do it's gonna be the longest/heaviest version available. 

[jeepasaurusrex]

My wife shot one... once.   

[Atroxus]

Since we not heard back from the op would it be safe to assume that he either fired it once and is now hiding it in his safe, or that he is recovering in the hospital after the recoil detached his hands from his wrists?

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk 2

[boneaddict]

Tell us about the test drive.    Whats a round cost on average?

[BULLBLASTER]

I would guess hammer will be just fine with the recoil considering he posted pics last year of his bloody shoulder after a range day with his 450 ultra mag. He must be a glutton for punishment. 

[CAMPMEAT]

That's what you call a wrist rocket for sure. I had a Lou Horton special in 44 mag and it hurt like a sumbitch !!! Beautiful bear killer.

[JackOfAllTrades]

The Alaskan is 44oz.   A standard RedHawk is a few more ounces.  A Super Redhawk with shortest barrel is 9oz more than the Alaskan. All the Alaskan is, is the SRH without a barrel. I have had a 5 1/2" Redhawk in 44mag for many years and love it in the woods in a shoulder rig.  But I have eyed the Alaskan since they came out too.  Losing  up to 300fps from a heavy bullet from that shorter barrel as compared to my 5 1/2" Redhawk has kept me from pulling the trigger on one. I would personally rather have a .480 Ruger Alaskan(second addition), over a 454Casull because of less pressure buildup and for a 400gn bullet. I have not shot a 454 Alaskan, but have fired a full size Casull with heavy bullets. Still, I can load either of my 44mags to be painful to shoot. The trick with a short barrel shooting a heavy bullet is to find a powder load that is not too fast, so it has a nasty snapping recoil and fireworks show of muzzle blast, yet not use a slow powder that really needs a longer barrel for burn time to build peak pressure in the last 1/3 of the barrel. The problem is that many of the faster handgun powders are way too fast for the capacity of the 454Casull case, and short barrel Alaskan. These handguns are truly not as effective as they can be, unless you hand load because the ammunition manufactures pretty much offer handgun ammo in the magnums developed for a ~6" barrel.  It will be interesting to see how this veteran reloader, (Biggerhammer), approaches hand loading for the Alaskan and what his results are.
 
-Steve

[Huntbear]

The Alaskan is 44oz.   A standard RedHawk is a few more ounces.  A Super Redhawk with shortest barrel is 9oz more than the Alaskan. All the Alaskan is, is the SRH without a barrel. I have had a 5 1/2" Redhawk in 44mag for many years and love it in the woods in a shoulder rig.  But I have eyed the Alaskan since they came out too.  Losing  up to 300fps from a heavy bullet from that shorter barrel as compared to my 5 1/2" Redhawk has kept me from pulling the trigger on one. I would personally rather have a .480 Ruger Alaskan(second addition), over a 454Casull because of less pressure buildup and for a 400gn bullet. I have not shot a 454 Alaskan, but have fired a full size Casull with heavy bullets. Still, I can load either of my 44mags to be painful to shoot. The trick with a short barrel shooting a heavy bullet is to find a powder load that is not too fast, so it has a nasty snapping recoil and fireworks show of muzzle blast, yet not use a slow powder that really needs a longer barrel for burn time to build peak pressure in the last 1/3 of the barrel. The problem is that many of the faster handgun powders are way too fast for the capacity of the 454Casull case, and short barrel Alaskan. These handguns are truly not as effective as they can be, unless you hand load because the ammunition manufactures pretty much offer handgun ammo in the magnums developed for a ~6" barrel.  It will be interesting to see how this veteran reloader, (Biggerhammer), approaches hand loading for the Alaskan and what his results are.
 
-Steve

Jackelope, I could not agree more.  I have the same RH as you do... and it is a beast with my heavy handloads.  But it took me quite awhile to develop those loads, so I was getting the most out of the powder without leaving a bunch of it in the barrel.  I can not imagine trying to accomplish that with an even shorter barrel.. lot of powder going to be bought and burned or wasted..

[Biggerhammer]

It has yet to be shot, I've been swamped with work. I purchased the first Ruger .454 Super Red Hawk to hit town. When they first came out, I believe that was back in 2000? That was a power house, it torqued quite a bit on recoil. Made my 500 Smith look like a puddy cat, heck a stout handload through a S&W .44 Mag Mountain pistol has more recoil than the 500 Smith. I'll get some time to shoot it over the Holliday.

[mountainman]

It has yet to be shot, I've been swamped with work. I purchased the first Ruger .454 Super Red Hawk to hit town. When they first came out, I believe that was back in 2000? That was a power house, it torqued quite a bit on recoil. Made my 500 Smith look like a puddy cat, heck a stout handload through a S&W .44 Mag Mountain pistol has more recoil than the 500 Smith. I'll get some time to shoot it over the Holliday.

Shoot nothing but hot 300 hardcast at  thru my redhawk. peice of cake, straight recoil,and not anywhere as near as punishing as hot loads in the 500.

[Biggerhammer]

With the weight, barrel length and the porting. The 500 is a disappointment in the recoil department and I know recoil.

[mountainman]

But if a person cant hit what they aim at because of recoil,..?

[JackOfAllTrades]

But if a person cant hit what they aim at because of recoil,..?

Recoil comes after the shot. The 'hit' should be determined by aim and steady, consistent trigger pull.  This misconception that recoil affects the shot at all is bullsnot!  The second shot , maybe... But not the first shot. 
 
-Steve

[fillthefreezer]

Recoil comes after the shot. The 'hit' should be determined by aim and steady, consistent trigger pull.  This misconception that recoil affects the shot at all is bullsnot!  The second shot , maybe... But not the first shot. 
 
-Steve

less youre skeered of it

[mountainman]

Recoil comes after the shot. The 'hit' should be determined by aim and steady, consistent trigger pull.  This misconception that recoil affects the shot at all is bullsnot!  The second shot , maybe... But not the first shot. 
 
-Steve

less youre skeered of it

Copy that freezer filler! Know and have seen tooo many who cannot handle recoil miss those easy shots...many at close range. 

[mountainman]

Anticipation of that recoil I should add..

[JimmyHoffa]

The Alaskan is 44oz.   A standard RedHawk is a few more ounces.  A Super Redhawk with shortest barrel is 9oz more than the Alaskan. All the Alaskan is, is the SRH without a barrel. I have had a 5 1/2" Redhawk in 44mag for many years and love it in the woods in a shoulder rig.  But I have eyed the Alaskan since they came out too.  Losing  up to 300fps from a heavy bullet from that shorter barrel as compared to my 5 1/2" Redhawk has kept me from pulling the trigger on one. I would personally rather have a .480 Ruger Alaskan(second addition), over a 454Casull because of less pressure buildup and for a 400gn bullet. I have not shot a 454 Alaskan, but have fired a full size Casull with heavy bullets. Still, I can load either of my 44mags to be painful to shoot. The trick with a short barrel shooting a heavy bullet is to find a powder load that is not too fast, so it has a nasty snapping recoil and fireworks show of muzzle blast, yet not use a slow powder that really needs a longer barrel for burn time to build peak pressure in the last 1/3 of the barrel. The problem is that many of the faster handgun powders are way too fast for the capacity of the 454Casull case, and short barrel Alaskan. These handguns are truly not as effective as they can be, unless you hand load because the ammunition manufactures pretty much offer handgun ammo in the magnums developed for a ~6" barrel.  It will be interesting to see how this veteran reloader, (Biggerhammer), approaches hand loading for the Alaskan and what his results are.
 
-Steve

Jackelope, I could not agree more.  I have the same RH as you do... and it is a beast with my heavy handloads.  But it took me quite awhile to develop those loads, so I was getting the most out of the powder without leaving a bunch of it in the barrel.  I can not imagine trying to accomplish that with an even shorter barrel.. lot of powder going to be bought and burned or wasted..

The shorter barreled versions of similar weight should produce noticeably less recoil (in theory).  The theoretical recoil (not considering felt--grips/stock-frame design) is mass/velocity of powder expelled and mass/velocity of projectile expelled.  If you up the barrel length with more weight of slow powder, you can really notch up the velocity.  I have the SRH 9", and with 300 grain handloads...after about the 5th shot without a glove it has really dished out some pain.   

[Biggerhammer]

Anticipation of that recoil I should add..

 Got to give it to the "Gun Sales men" types.  They sure can talk allot, guess its all that spare time.  I personally don't need anything from the guy behind the counter other than to take my cash and make the NICS call.

[yorketransport]

All this talk about recoil makes me miss my 45-70 BFR.

Every time I get the urge to buy another heavy hitter handgun, I look at the X-rays of my right hand and wrist after a couple of years of shooting the BFR. The compression fractures have healed, but the damage to my joints will never really go away. Man that gun was fun though!

Andrew

[mountainman]

The Alaskan is 44oz.   A standard RedHawk is a few more ounces.  A Super Redhawk with shortest barrel is 9oz more than the Alaskan. All the Alaskan is, is the SRH without a barrel. I have had a 5 1/2" Redhawk in 44mag for many years and love it in the woods in a shoulder rig.  But I have eyed the Alaskan since they came out too.  Losing  up to 300fps from a heavy bullet from that shorter barrel as compared to my 5 1/2" Redhawk has kept me from pulling the trigger on one. I would personally rather have a .480 Ruger Alaskan(second addition), over a 454Casull because of less pressure buildup and for a 400gn bullet. I have not shot a 454 Alaskan, but have fired a full size Casull with heavy bullets. Still, I can load either of my 44mags to be painful to shoot. The trick with a short barrel shooting a heavy bullet is to find a powder load that is not too fast, so it has a nasty snapping recoil and fireworks show of muzzle blast, yet not use a slow powder that really needs a longer barrel for burn time to build peak pressure in the last 1/3 of the barrel. The problem is that many of the faster handgun powders are way too fast for the capacity of the 454Casull case, and short barrel Alaskan. These handguns are truly not as effective as they can be, unless you hand load because the ammunition manufactures pretty much offer handgun ammo in the magnums developed for a ~6" barrel.  It will be interesting to see how this veteran reloader, (Biggerhammer), approaches hand loading for the Alaskan and what his results are.
 
-Steve

Jackelope, I could not agree more.  I have the same RH as you do... and it is a beast with my heavy handloads.  But it took me quite awhile to develop those loads, so I was getting the most out of the powder without leaving a bunch of it in the barrel.  I can not imagine trying to accomplish that with an even shorter barrel.. lot of powder going to be bought and burned or wasted..

The shorter barreled versions of similar weight should produce noticeably less recoil (in theory).  The theoretical recoil (not considering felt--grips/stock-frame design) is mass/velocity of powder expelled and mass/velocity of projectile expelled.  If you up the barrel length with more weight of slow powder, you can really notch up the velocity.  I have the SRH 9", and with 300 grain handloads...after about the 5th shot without a glove it has really dished out some pain.   

Agreed! and well said!

Anticipation of that recoil I should add..

 Got to give it to the "Gun Sales men" types.  They sure can talk allot, guess its all that spare time.  I personally don't need anything from the guy behind the counter other than to take my cash and make the NICS call.

Generic comment, must have struck a nerve? Didnt mean to offend. Tooo many think they need the most powerfull firearm, wheather handgun or rifle and fail to learn to shoot it proberly, which leads sometimes to recoil flinch. Seen people miss deer at less then 20 feet because of this fear of being"kicked"

[high country]

If you truely want to experience recoil in a pistol, give the Taurus (I know, I know) 450ti a test drive. Mine was a 2" barreled 45lc+p rated 5 shot revolver that weighed 19oz and with 360gr hard cast bullets was a joy to watch others shoot. Even with the lee factory crimp die, shooting 5 360's was not gonna happen....lit would pull the bullets on the last round or two. Absolutely evil little critter. I kept it for my mouth friends, but one day a guy offered a 16ga guild gun SxS and it left my hands.

[Biggerhammer]

Everything is for sale or trade.👍

[Mossy]

Oh man....I've had my eye on the alaskan awhile myself.  I felt I needed the SR1911 a little more recently though.   I was told that Ruger stopped production on that chamber last year or so? 

[mountainman]

Used a S&W29 44 mag Lew Horton 2" for a number of years, as a sidearm to finish bears with. 2" barrel, 300 gr hardcast at close to 1400....still nowhere near what the 500 SW does loaded with heavy hardcast at top velocities! Dont let anyone tell you otherwise!

[Atroxus]

Everything is for sale or trade.👍

Wow, no range report and you are already trying to get rid of it?

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk 2

[jackelope]

Huh?

[GoldTip]

I've had the same gun the OP bought for a little over 5 years now.  It's  a recoiler for sure especially with the 300gr buffalo bore loads.  Heavy gun for the hip, but not unmanageably heavy, usually carry it anytime I am bowhunting in Montana or North Idaho, or if bowhunting the extreme NE corner of WA.  Yep, most people won't shoot it once they've seen/hear/felt it go off.  But it's manageable and accurate for the ranges it needs to be.