Anybody with surgically repaired hands shoot a 454 or 480?
I've got one of the new Ruger 480's on order with my LGS. But I'm starting to wonder if it might be too much. I've had carpal tunnel surgery on both hands, plus a fusion surgery in my neck and another recent back surgery.
Anybody shoot a 454, 480 or 500 with similar issues? I'm thinking about cancelling my order and sticking with my 44 Mags as my big guns. I don't have a legitimate "NEED" for anything bigger, but since when does need have anything to do with it.
All I can tell you is this...
I jumped on the bandwagon and bought a 629 Classic about ten years ago. Took it to my club, fired about two cylinders through it, and promptly sold it to a guy that was there that day!
It was a great gun, but what I failed to take into account was my "chicken-bone" wrists. I still get a little twinge in them, when I think about that day.
IF shooting all that big bore stuff is what it takes to be a "man", then I'll stay a boy, thank you very much. I wish you well.
44 Magnum is my favorite caliber ...
And my favorite gun is the S&W Mountain Gun. I don't run them wide open, usually more like a 250 grain Keith bullet at 1000-1200 fps.
I just get the itch for a true big bore. Absolutely no need for it, but you only live once.
then I would suggest the 480
by bj 
, Friday, August 21, 2015, 19:42 (3370 days ago) @ Warhawk
I see a good number of people with the 475 and 500 Linebaugh conversions that run them at about 900 fps. That makes the recoil a lot less snappy and less punishing. There is still recoil, and a lot of power that only a big bore of that type can provide, but the recoil is milder and should not hurt you as much. A heavy bullet at 900 fps will do things that a .44mag can't do, otherwise a .45Colt or .44Mag is all that you would need.
So if you have the .480 then you can run it mild and still have the enjoyment of something other than .44mag, and occasionally you can load it up a little bit just for grins.
44 Magnum is my favorite caliber ...
by Paul 
, Saturday, August 22, 2015, 11:07 (3370 days ago) @ Warhawk
In general, the larger the bore the less snappy the recoil. The 480 should be a lot of fun to shoot, especially with handloads in the sub 1000 fps range.
Shooting a lot of heavy handgun loads isn't something I get to do a lot of, so in general I stick to lighter loads while up here. Years ago I got to shoot Caz' 475 Linebaugh by Reeder with some heavy loads in it. It was not nearly as punishing as JimT's 454 with 360 grain CorBon Penetrators in it. That was an experience my boys still tease me about. If you want a big bore experience that's not as likely to wreak mayhem on your wrists, go with the 480. In my opinion the 480 is to the 44 mag what the 44 spl is to the 38 spl. A step up in power but not so much in punishment to the shooter.
good point and well put !
