Chili Ron Posted October 12, 2020 Share Posted October 12, 2020 Howdy, While looking into the 44 vs 45 question,, I got looking at short barrel powerful revolvers. My experience with these is that they make a big fireball that leaves me with a sort of sunburned or fireburn?? feeling. Then I saw the 454 casull two inch barrel revolver. Wow. What is one of these for? Doenst alll the powder just burn up without adding to bullet speed? Are these a good idea at all?? Is it just a novelty? Best CR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seamus McGillicuddy Posted October 12, 2020 Share Posted October 12, 2020 Was thinking about that myself recently. How much better is a .357 Magnum over .38 Special out of a two inch barrel? Seamus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patagonia Pete Posted October 12, 2020 Share Posted October 12, 2020 The short barrel makes it easier to pack and carry when you are in bear country. AND ... If something does happen ... and you actually manage to get off a shot ... you will likely miss. BUT ... The noise and the fireball setting the bear on fire is the backup plan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt. C.J. Sabre, SASS #46770 Posted October 12, 2020 Share Posted October 12, 2020 26 minutes ago, Seamus McGillicuddy said: Was thinking about that myself recently. How much better is a .357 Magnum over .38 Special out of a two inch barrel? Seamus Your answer here: http://www.ballisticsbytheinch.com/calibers.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seamus McGillicuddy Posted October 12, 2020 Share Posted October 12, 2020 Wow! More than I expected, particularly on the ME graph. Seamus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Original Lumpy Gritz Posted October 12, 2020 Share Posted October 12, 2020 My Freedom Arms .454 Casull has a 4 3/4" bbl. Very handy in a chest holster while hiking or fishing in bear country. OLG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chili Ron Posted October 12, 2020 Author Share Posted October 12, 2020 Howdy, Im not against the .454. Thats up to the individual. It just seems the gain of the caliber is lost with the short barrel. I guess it should be compared to a 38 or 9 mm to justify the much higher price. A tool should have a purpose. It should be really good for something. Best CR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LawMan Mark, SASS #57095L Posted October 12, 2020 Share Posted October 12, 2020 Short barrels are easier to carry, but lose velocity and accuracy potential. Longer barrels utilize more of the available power but are harder to carry. Weigh out which is more important to your and choose accordingly. I have a J frame 357 magnum as a backup gun. It don't get shot very much, but when it does, it carries full house 357 magnum ammo. Yeah, it hurts to shoot it, but not near as much as it's gonna hurt the target. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie Harley, #14153 Posted October 12, 2020 Share Posted October 12, 2020 11 hours ago, Sgt. C.J. Sabre, SASS #46770 said: Your answer here: http://www.ballisticsbytheinch.com/calibers.html Interesting data. Thank you for sharing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bgavin Posted October 12, 2020 Share Posted October 12, 2020 My neighbor sold his 454 to his brother, replaced it with the 460. 65,000 psi is far too much for me. I understand the norm is closer to 56-57k psi. Using the Hodgdon loads, it looks like maybe 20% of the powder is still burning after the bullet leaves the muzzle... hence the Big Flash. In the Smith 460V 5" the recoil of 454 loads is 29-37 ft. lbs... WOOF! 460 loads are much higher. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Utah Bob #35998 Posted October 12, 2020 Share Posted October 12, 2020 I have found that, for me, a 3" bbl revolver is pretty much ideal for carry. It conceals better than a 4" and has the edge in velocity and accuracy over the 2". That's why I like My King Cobra so much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badger Mountain Charlie SASS #43172 Posted October 12, 2020 Share Posted October 12, 2020 17 hours ago, Patagonia Pete said: The short barrel makes it easier to pack and carry when you are in bear country. AND ... If something does happen ... and you actually manage to get off a shot ... you will likely miss. BUT ... The noise and the fireball setting the bear on fire is the backup plan. Not to mention your eyebrows. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Original Lumpy Gritz Posted October 12, 2020 Share Posted October 12, 2020 8 hours ago, Chili Ron said: Howdy, Im not against the .454. Thats up to the individual. It just seems the gain of the caliber is lost with the short barrel. I guess it should be compared to a 38 or 9 mm to justify the much higher price. A tool should have a purpose. It should be really good for something. Best CR My FA .454 crono's 325gn bullets at 1500 fps at 10' from the muzzle. Compare that to several modern day rifle calibers. OLG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sassnetguy50 Posted October 13, 2020 Share Posted October 13, 2020 Short barrel without loss of muzzle energy, isn’t that what the 480 Ruger was made for? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smuteye John SASS#24774 Posted October 13, 2020 Share Posted October 13, 2020 Think of them as a 'Git Up Off of Me, NOW' gun- the Bear Edition. Nobody wants to shoot a 2".454 or .500 S&W- BUT, if you need one, you're really going to need it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
watab kid Posted October 14, 2020 Share Posted October 14, 2020 with the likelihood of needing ill not carry one but i do understand the concept - i still think a well placed 22 at close range is good for most of our needs but i dont live in an area with other worries right now , might feel different in another location , Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ace_of_Hearts Posted October 14, 2020 Share Posted October 14, 2020 Try the fireball with a short barrel 410 shot load! I have a double barrel hangun that is impressive at night. The barrel is about a 1/2 longer than a 2 1/2" shell !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat Riot Posted October 14, 2020 Share Posted October 14, 2020 I have an 8 shot S&W 327 Night Guard .357 Magnum. It puts out quite a fireball. I mostly shoot .38s in it and keep it loaded with .38 home defense ammo but mostly because it’s the bedroom gun and my wife can / will use it if necessary. Here is a photo of her firing it with .38 Special at the range. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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