I just wanted to share my experience with the .454 that I recently purchased.
I am fairly new to "Big Bore" handguns and have spent most of my life hunting with rifles. As far as handguns go, I have been shooting .45 ACP, .40 S&W and .357 off and on for many years.
I realize it is a huge step from .357 to .454, especially considering it is my first hunting handgun. The reason for not choosing a middle ground is simply that I will eventually need the added juice for Alaska/Africa.
Before actually shooting the .454, I read every little scrap of info on the .454 and became increasingly terrified of what is often termed "fierce" and "savage" recoil. When arriving at the range to shoot it for the first time I was certain I was going to leave the range with a dent in my forehead and a throbbing wrist. Well, this was just not the case. Using gloves I shot several loads starting with Hornady 240 gr loads and worked my way up. While I was blown away with the massive fireball and extra stout report, the recoil was much less than I had anticipated. This thing is big fun to shoot!
During my "session" I did find that paying closer attention to the fundamentals shrunk my groups considerably and I was ultimately very pleased with the results.
So for those of you considering buying a .454, I say go for it! you have nothing to fear!
As a footnote: No I am not a 6'8" giant with wrists the size of tree trunks. 5'11" 175 with aerodynamic (small) Wrists.

ooooo...another thumper-lover..:)

Ain't that fireball a hoot??? :D

Which 454 did you get? I have a Raging Bull with 6.5" barrel. I have some cool pics of the flame out the barrel. Too much fun. :)

I reload 300gr SPs. Concrete blocks are no match. ;)

Welcome to "der Thunderboomen Pistolen Club". I have a BFR in 454 and an Encore with 454 barrel. They are a hoot to shoot. Enjoy your hand cannon.

ooooo...another thumper-lover..:)

Ain't that fireball a hoot??? :D

Which 454 did you get? I have a Raging Bull with 6.5" barrel. I have some cool pics of the flame out the barrel. Too much fun. :)

I reload 300gr SPs. Concrete blocks are no match. ;)

I bought a Ruger SRH with the 7-1/2" barrel and put a Swift fixed 4X scope on it.
I have not started reloading yet, but I am planning on it. I am looking very forward to hearing some of your favorite recipies!!!
My wife is a professional photographer and we are planning a high speed sequence of the entire recoil process. I will post and direct all interested to the pics! Should be great!
Have a great one,
Cliff

Another 454 aficianado here. I have the SRH with 7-1/2" barrel too. It's a great wheelgun and it certainly appears capable of handling any 454 Casull load out there. Fortunately, I never experienced any of the case sticking problems other Ruger owners have complained about from time to time. I handload for it now. For a light load I like to use 14 grains of Unique, CCI small rifle primers, and the 240gr Hornady XTP-Mag bullets. Heavy loads I like to use 31 grains of Win 296 and 300 grain Hornady XTP-Mag bullets.

Sorry, I forgot to mention those loads I am using Starline brass.

With the lighter bullet weights recoil is not bad at all. However, you will find the .454 is a bit schizophrenic when you up the bullet weights to 350 gr. and more over the same 31-32 gr. charge of H110. It takes on a whole new personality, and one that really lets you know what the .454 is capable of achieving. Also, shooting a FA or BFR .454 is quite a bit different than shooting a Ruger, Encore, or Taurus; the grip frame and the way they handle the recoil is completely different from the way the SA frame handles it. Almost like they are two different calibers as I am sure BigFoot can testify about. My Contender .45-70 and Encore .50 AK do not jump up and buck near as much as does the FA .454.

My wife is a professional photographer and we are planning a high speed sequence of the entire recoil process. I will post and direct all interested to the pics! Should be great!


Don't do it. You'll wonder how your hand stays attached. ;) I have some video I did slow-mo (basically 60frames/sec). It just LOOKS like it hurts. :) 50AE is about the same. :)

Don't say I didn't warn ya...;)

Big Bore is correct, depending on the grip they react differently. Because of the size of my hands the single action grip is much easier to shoot, than the Encore. But like my kids say " It's all good!! ". Enjoy.

I also own a SRH 454 Casull and really like it. Recoil is stout for sure. Sometimes even with gloves I get a few sore joints after shooting a 100 rounds of my reloads, I put on some Houge mono grips and a fiber optic front sight, this did decrease some recoil to my hands and the optic front sight comes up nice. Love shooting that beast;) A great cal. Aim small hit small.

Yep nothing better then tingling hands after shooting 6 straight DA!! Don't do that much!!

I just wanted to share my experience with the .454 that I recently purchased.
I am fairly new to "Big Bore" handguns and have spent most of my life hunting with rifles. As far as handguns go, I have been shooting .45 ACP, .40 S&W and .357 off and on for many years.
I realize it is a huge step from .357 to .454, especially considering it is my first hunting handgun. The reason for not choosing a middle ground is simply that I will eventually need the added juice for Alaska/Africa.
Before actually shooting the .454, I read every little scrap of info on the .454 and became increasingly terrified of what is often termed "fierce" and "savage" recoil. When arriving at the range to shoot it for the first time I was certain I was going to leave the range with a dent in my forehead and a throbbing wrist. Well, this was just not the case. Using gloves I shot several loads starting with Hornady 240 gr loads and worked my way up. While I was blown away with the massive fireball and extra stout report, the recoil was much less than I had anticipated. This thing is big fun to shoot!
During my "session" I did find that paying closer attention to the fundamentals shrunk my groups considerably and I was ultimately very pleased with the results.
So for those of you considering buying a .454, I say go for it! you have nothing to fear!
As a footnote: No I am not a 6'8" giant with wrists the size of tree trunks. 5'11" 175 with aerodynamic (small) Wrists.
I totally agree! The "brutality & fierce recoil" of a 454 is just plain FUN!!! So much so, in fact that i chopped 2.5" off the barrel(SRH 7.5") just to let it rock & roll just a lil more :-) Heck i even letmy girlfriend shoot it & she actually hit the target!! Something she couldn't do with a 10 ga. with BUCKSHOT!!! LOL. not to mention she was quite happy it didn't almost take out a front tooth like the 10ga did HEHE!!! If you areconsidering a 454 of any flavor.......... JUST DO IT & enjoyyyyyy!!!
454Lvr