Ruger Alaskan experiences and recommendations

[memtb]

$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

I surely wish that you were trying to "unload" a 5" S&W 460! We could become "best buds" pretty quick! memtb

 

[Vortex!]

Is there something you didn't like about it?

 

[REDVANES]

Is there something you didn't like about it?

No it was great. Basically bought it specifically for the hunt and now I have no use for it.

 

[Vortex!]

No it was great. Basically bought it specifically for the hunt and now I have no use for it.

Gotcha, I'll have to think about that one for a while, thanks though.

 

[Wilderness Blacktail]

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.

Jus a thot but have you heard Phil S's bear sidearm stories? I read it somewhere and then heard a podcast i think. Anyways his take was hes gone to lighter caliber handgun to get multiple hits vs just 1 from a cannon. Something to consider.

 

[quandary]

Gotcha, I'll have to think about that one for a while, thanks though.

Not to step on Redvanes, an A+ guy. If we are throwing stuff out there. Now that I have gone on my Alaska hunt I am going to sell my Super Redhawk with the chest holster. It's got maybe a dozen rounds through it. $1,000

Edit; Figure I can put that $ into something that will get more use.

 

[98s1lightning]

The SRH Alaskan in 480 is manageable to shoot.

Like others have said......HEAVY, which makes it a pain to belt carry and harder to aim quick. Pick up a lighter gun back to back and you'll see it doesn't "aim fast" comparitively.
Heavy when loaded.

The 480 Ruger is a "special" to the 475 Linebaugh.
325gr Speers @ 1100 and 275gr Barnes @ similar? Can't recall

Its nice to have so much power in such a small package.
Rumor has it the 454 being a high pressure cartridge is WAY more fierce to hold onto and kicks harder. More snappy.
The 480 is one big manageable thump. Not snappy to me like a 44 mag is.

Keep in mind the SRH has a "post" rubber grip....all rubber surrounding a post fastener

The Standard Redhawk and lots of 44's like a S&W 629 will have a metal frame handle, with metal open back, which is cold and puts recoil right into your hand

Sight suck on the SRH ALASKAN and need a gunsmith or you to be handy with a mill to swap the front.

I like the 480 round, piece of mind.

If you HAD to shoot a real big animal what would you want in your HAND for a cartridge......

If you choose 44mag like another said....look at the smaller packaged guns, why tote all that extra weight for nothing.

 

[dhbikerczar]

I don't have any experience yet, hence the questions. I would love to try it before buying though so I might have to see if one of my friends has one. I know a guy that has a 500 S&W so maybe I should check with him.

Imo the 454 ruger is a different recoil than the 500 mag. I have shot the 454 in the 2.5" Alaskan a few times. It's the handgun I'm probably most accurate with. The recoil is very real. To me it's shorter and sharper than the 500 mags(all 500's I've shot are longer barrel with ports). I do have the S&W 3.5" 500 mag comming in soon so we will be able to compare side by side. As long as you handle the recoil and let it rock your arms back and up a bit it's not painful (for me anyway). I think as long as you are not afraid of it, it is very manageable. If you are concerned about it enough to start a thread, there is a good chance you will will be afraid of it though. That's not a personal attack or fact, but I've noticed generally those that express concern end up being afraid of them and they end up not liking the big bores. Try to find one to try at least once though.