hello all whats going on? i am new here and i am planning a thanksgiving hunt in montana next year and i am wanting to take a 454 casull along....i am settling on the raging bull, i have a couple of questiong if anyone has any input, i would appreciate it...i would like to know if anyone has any experience with the 5 inch barrell vs the 6.5, as far as accuracy and recoil....i am curious if either of these pistols are reliable out to 150 yards...and what the max distance is for reliable accuracy...also what is a good scope...i am hoping to take a deer or possibly an elk if i have the shot...i am going to assume that the recoil is subjective...i hear all from i sold it because it is so violen to not bad at all...i am treating this issue much as i do my 300 win mag with 225 gs loads....i dont mind the punch at all...(i actually like shooting it)...but none of my friends have shot it more than once because of the recoil and several have passed on shooting it at all after seeing me shoot it...any first hand accounts on any of these subjects is greatly appreciated...sorry for the long post but i dont have 1000.00 to blow on the wrong pistol and scope...thanks again...scott

IMO go with the longer barrel. It makes no since to me to get a high powered cartridge then neuter it with a short barrel. I shoot a FA 10" and that is too much of a good thing. If the pistol had not come factory ported I would lop it off to 7.5 inches.
As to scopes, IMO go with a straight 2x Leupold in a SSK TSOB 3 or 4 ring mount. The .454 is at BEST a 150 yard round. The load I shoot, 355 gr. at 1700 fps, with a 100 yard zero drops 11 inches by 150 yards. With lighter bullets going faster you will get a little flatter trajectory, but still, after 125 yards they start to drop pretty quickly.
Don't get carried away on scope power. Within the range of the .454, 2x is plenty. When you go up to 4x you limit your FOV so much that anything closer than 30-35 yards all you see in the scope is hair. And with any magnifying handgun scope, trying to pick up game quickly can be a challenge, but with 4x, forgetaboutit. IF you cannot see clearly enough to shoot with a 2x, a 4x isn't going to help you enough to matter, and it will really hurt you when things are close. In 22 years of handgun hunting I have yet to take a shot past 50 yards so IMO you are much more likely to get close shots than long. Good luck.

I dont think youll have a problem with the recoil at all. See pleased with 454 post.
I was really freaked out until I shot it for the first time!!! The recoil is not a strong push towards your face. It is an extremely quick jump upwards an into the web of your hand.
Discomfort created by shooting MANY rounds can be avoided by using gloves. I use fingerless leather weightlifting gloves that have a padded palm area.
You are going to be really tickled when you touch the first one off. It is something you should look very forward to, not approach with the apprehension I did. Tell your ammo shop in advance to start stocking more 454's, because youll be back time and again in your quest to keep your little beast well fed!!!
I would go with the longer barrel as well, more weight= less recoil, more power, better bullet stabilization= accuracy.
As far as the scope goes, I guess it boils down to personal preference. do your own research before you buy. Are you anticipating long shots from a stand? Will you be stalking in heavy cover? It all makes a big difference. As I'm sure you well know, after you've made you choice of iron sights you'll see a big 6x6 broadside at 150 yards. Or if you go with a 4x scope you will have a bull stepping over you as he moves through. Its funny how they know..................
Best wishes for a safe, happy, productive hunt.
PS let me know what you think after you shoot it for the first time!!!!!!! Cliff

WELL i apprciate your input...i have settled on the 6.5 inch barrell i am gonna be carrying my sako 300 win mag as a primary...i am wanting this to carry and if i get a shot great...we will be in agusta montana, about 90 miles south of canada...he lived there for about 10 years...this is a long way from civilization....and we tend to drive the old logging roads... spotting game and stalking...sometimes they are 30 yards off the road and sometimes they are 500 yards away...i am really settling on a red dot scope with no magnification....and looking to sight in at 100 yards... that way i am set for anything, and it can still be aimed quickly at short distances....thanks again....scott
I dont think youll have a problem with the recoil at all. See pleased with 454 post.
I was really freaked out until I shot it for the first time!!! The recoil is not a strong push towards your face. It is an extremely quick jump upwards an into the web of your hand.
Discomfort created by shooting MANY rounds can be avoided by using gloves. I use fingerless leather weightlifting gloves that have a padded palm area.
You are going to be really tickled when you touch the first one off. It is something you should look very forward to, not approach with the apprehension I did. Tell your ammo shop in advance to start stocking more 454's, because youll be back time and again in your quest to keep your little beast well fed!!!
I would go with the longer barrel as well, more weight= less recoil, more power, better bullet stabilization= accuracy.
As far as the scope goes, I guess it boils down to personal preference. do your own research before you buy. Are you anticipating long shots from a stand? Will you be stalking in heavy cover? It all makes a big difference. As I'm sure you well know, after you've made you choice of iron sights you'll see a big 6x6 broadside at 150 yards. Or if you go with a 4x scope you will have a bull stepping over you as he moves through. Its funny how they know..................
Best wishes for a safe, happy, productive hunt.
PS let me know what you think after you shoot it for the first time!!!!!!! Cliff