Ruger Alaskan experiences and recommendations

Would you have a indoor shooting range in your area that sales Handguns.
There's one in this area that will allow you to shoot before you buy. But it may not be exactly what you want but probably really close.

I have many 44 mags, a 454 casull and a 500 JRH, and a bunch of 10mm.
First I reload for all but the 10mms so far. The 10mm are all semi autos and I love them all. My revolvers are fantastic too but I carry the 10s more. If I had to choose on one big Bore revolver it would be with out a doubt my 480 Ruger in super blackhawk. A big push and not nearly as violent as my casual and JRH with full loads. It's a joy to shoot even over my 44s. Only downside to the 480 is finding ammo.

Up side to 44 mags. Can buy ammo lots of places, easy to load for and find components, can reduce loads or shoot specials, and they make many different handguns in each(including the Alaskan). Desert Eagle, Ruger Blackhawks, S&W 629. Marlin lever.
Up side to 454. Lots of power, can shoot 45 colt, some factory following with some decent pistols including your Alaskan, and can make you buddies and you bleed when shooting. Mine is a Ruger Super Redhawk.
Up side to 480. A sweet heart to shoot and load for, make in your Alaskan. The down is not a great selection of handguns, and components are hard to find.
Th 500s are big and cumbersome, heavy, and expensive. I think of them as more of a novelty but every revolver guy should have one! Mine is a BFR 5.5 inch.

My Ruger Redhawk is similar in feel and all to your Alaska just a longer barrel. I like the feel of it and it's is a beast of a handgun. Used to carry it for grizz protection and probably still will on occasion. I always wanted an Alaskan but always shied away from them when I got closer to buying and went with a single action with a 4 5/8 to 6.5 barrel. I shoot well with most pistols but I would imagine it would take a bit more concentration to accurately shoot the Alaskan. If I got an Alaskan it would most likely be the 44 version but you can get a 454 and shoot colt for plinking too.

Just my two cents worth, but several of the previous replies mention "HARD CAST" bullets (SOLIDS!!) and I TOTALLY agree. While carrying my Casull on my mountain grizzly hunt (At the time loaded with +P hollow points, my guide asked if I had filed off the front sight? When I (incredulously) asked what the F#@K he was talking about; he calmly replied that doing so would reduce the pain when the bear stuck it where the sun don't shine cause them hollow points won't do nothing but **** the grizz off 'cause they tend to blow up against bear skulls. Thankfully, I never had to test the theory but took the advise of a very experienced big bear guide and never carried hollow points as "back up" again. Hard cast lino type bullets for me.

I have the Alaskan in 44 Magnum and it is my favorite revolver. I put Hi Viz fiber optic sights on both the front and rear and for me it is a great system. I use a Galco DAO holster and a Galco belt.Heavy-yes,but not too much for me. Many complain about the weight,recoil and muzzle blast, but they have never fired one. Again,I think they are a terrific revolver.

Here is my Experience, I had ..repeat had a Ruger Alaskan in the mighty 480 cal.
My kids called it Big Bertha and for a reason .
I packed it all over the Mountains in Montana for Bear Protection. It was heavy and very ABUSIVE to shoot .

I was so happy when a fine Gentleman said he wanted one ! I didnt shed one tear when it was gone .

I was in the truck headded to the Gun store and grabbed a Glock SF20 10mm . Now that one will save your life and isn't to bad to shoot or pack .

Everyone will paint a different picture for you but hands down I'm Super Happy with the 10 mm !!

Ps: the kids still tell me I should have kept Big Bertha !!

Rum Man

Rum Man said:

Here is my Experience, I had ..repeat had a Ruger Alaskan in the mighty 480 cal.
My kids called it Big Bertha and for a reason .
I packed it all over the Mountains in Montana for Bear Protection. It was heavy and very ABUSIVE to shoot .

I was so happy when a fine Gentleman said he wanted one ! I didnt shed one tear when it was gone .

I was in the truck headded to the Gun store and grabbed a Glock SF20 10mm . Now that one will save your life and isn't to bad to shoot or pack .

Everyone will paint a different picture for you but hands down I'm Super Happy with the 10 mm !!

Ps: the kids still tell me I should have kept Big Bertha !!

Rum Man

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I'm surprised that a "RUM'r" would find the recoil offensive! memtb

Vortex! said:

I keep on thinking about Ruger Alaskans and wonder which one is the best. I would love to hear your stories of one you have or had at one time. Also which ones do you recommend and why? What has been your experience? Right now I like the idea of a 454 casull but sell me on what you like. Thanks.

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I have the SRH Alaskan 2.25"
Buffalo Bore 360gr runs over 1200fps and I Handload them around 1100.
I've hand loaded it with 300-360gr and shot factory ammo from 300-400gr.
The Corbin ammo with 400gr bullets was the highest recoil so far in that gun.
As far messing around loading for and shooting in the yard it's a lot of fun.
But in reality I can't hit much after the first shot. It's very hard to recover from recoil quickly if you need a second shot. And it's pretty heavy when loaded. I think if I had the trigger worked over to smooth up the travel it would help a lot though. Also should have went with the 4" because a 45colt +p is right at the heels of the 454 in a 2" barrel. Overall I'm still happy to have it on my chest in bear country.

If I was to get something now it would be a S&W 329pd in 44mag. Then run standard 44mag loads with copper solids. It's about half the weight of the ruger. S&w has a 10mm wheel gun that's appealing too.

quandary said:

1,350fps

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Wow…..what are those bullet weights? I'm guessing fairly light, if those are "reduced loads"! memtb

255gr. That is the Buffulo Bore number on the box. I am sure it is quite a bit slower with a 2.5" barrel. I haven't taken the time to shot it with the chrono. I figure at 10 to 25 yards at most the muzzle velocity would be the last thing I'd be worried about!

quandary said:

255gr. That is the Buffulo Bore number on the box. I am sure it is quite a bit slower with a 2.5" barrel. I haven't taken the time to shot it with the chrono. I figure at 10 to 25 yards at most the muzzle velocity would be the last thing I'd be worried about!

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That's marching along at a pretty respectable pace! memtb

My Son has a .44 magnum Alaskan, it is a sweet shooter and surprisingly accurate.
It is built like a tank.

I've got a 454 casull Taurus raging hunter I'm looking to sell...

How much?

Vortex! said:

How much?

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$750 for everything.

Comes with A Denali chest holster ($99) and 15-20 or so rounds of underwood hardcast ($50)

Used for 13 days on an Alaska moose hunt. Just bought it a month ago