Taurus Raging Bull .454 vs. .44 mag
I have been trying to decide if I should get a raging bull in .44mag or in .454 casull. Originally I was going to get the .44 mag. A local dealer advised me that I could target shoot a .454 with 45 LC for no more than a .44 mag. Also, the frames are all the same size for these raging bull revolvers. I have held one but not shot one yet. Some of the forums I have read give me the impression that with the porting and the grips the .454 does not recoil all that bad, especially compared to the .44 mag. I definately do want at least a .44 mag caiber. I don't have huge hands so this gun feels big, most all of them do. Is there anyone who can offer any advise to me? I only intend to own one revolver so I want to ensure it will always be cabable of whatever I would want to do. I just don't want a gun that is a menace to shot. Perhaps all calibers in this raging bull line are in fact a menace. Thanks for whatever input and/or suggestions you can offer.
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Of the 2 the .44Magnum will definately recoil less than the .454Casull even with porting and "ribber" grips.The .454 is a monster to fire.The .44 is a very strong shooter but it doesnt recoil anything like the .454 in my opinion.With the .44Magnum version you can also shoot .44Special for cheaper target practice and home/self defense and I think you could find the .44Special loads alittle bit cheaper than the .45Colt and the .44Magnum will be cheaper than the .454Casull and the .44 will offer much more diverse bullet weights than anything .454/.45 has to offer.The .44Special is also a very accurate load but the .45Colt is as well.It all depends what you want the gun for although theres is not all that much you can do with a .454 that you cant do with a .44Magnum,especially with some of the newer loadings in .44Magnum.Also if its just for recreation shooting and target I would steer clear of the .454,its ok to go shoot a few rounds and watch some water jugs explode but after say 20 rounds its gets to be a real pain to shoot.The recoil is very quick,snappy and HARSH.Not a gun to double tap.For recreation the .44Magnum will be much more user friendly.If you are just wanting one revolver for defense,target and maybe carry I would strongly reccomend a .357Magnum,it is much cheaper to shoot,produces about all the recoil,flash and noise you could ever need and you have the capability of shooting either .38Special or full power .357Magnum rounds and either of these is VERY good for self defense.Also depending on your barrel length and practice you can hunt with certain .357Magnum loads.From what it seems like you want the .357 would fit your bill best but if you are a fan of the big bore go with the .44Magnum.The .357Magnum is the all time best selling magnum and held the O.S.S record for many,many years.And I have seen the FBI ballistic tests when they aere searching for guns to replace their 9mm and .38Special's and there were only 2 that passed all the tests for penetration through everything-clothing,drywall,auto glass,doors etc... and the only 2 were the 10mm Automatic and the .357Magnum,thats what I use and I would never feel under powered.Also if you have small to medium hands get a .357 because its a smaller,lighter gun which will give you more control,accuracy and more confidence in your weapon.You can fire it without the thought that you have too much gun in your hand.The .357Magnum is what you need.In my opinion.Instead of looking at the "Raging Bull" line look at the "Tracker" series. 0 -
In your posting you mention not having "huge hands" and the Raging Bull frames feeling "big" in your hands. To me this suggests that you may encounter a control problem, regardless of the caliber you go with.
First I suggest that you actually shoot them. Most ranges have rental guns, and the larger ones generally have a pretty good assortment. If that is not a viable option try and find someone in your area that owns one (put up a notice at your range) that is willing to let you shoot it. Lastly, just tell the dealer you won't be able to make up your mind until you actually shoot them. If he has used revovlers in the chamberings your talking about he should be willing to let you try it with a full refund return. Just don't buy somehting your not even sure you can effectively shoot!
Second, look at the smaller frame trackers they go into 41 and 44 mag and they may be a better fit.
Lastly as to the caliber ... the 454 is more of a Hunter's chambering. Very powerful, and many are carried as backup in bear country, etc. but the ammo is anything but cheap and the bullet range is pretty much limited to the heavier bullets unless you handload. And as said in other post 45 colt ammo is kinda costly too. So I would encourage you to go the 44 mag route or even 41 mag as the latter has nearly the same energy with less "kick".
If you only have time to do two things so-so, or one thing well ... do the one thing!0 -
I believe the .454 has 70% more recoil then the .44mag. I got my .454 raging bull dirt cheap. The guy I bought it from said he had to sell it because his girl friend didn't like it. Turns out she tried to shoot it holding it in a relaxed position, arms bent with the gun about a foot from her face. Result was a broken nose and two black eyes. I love recoil, tells me what ever's on the other end isn't going to have much fun, and living in bear country the bigger the better. I have fairly large hands and still after 20 rounds through the .454 I'm ready to put it away. I would suggest shooting one before you buy. .44 mag I can shoot all day long. 0 -
stpierreamedic: Welcome to this board! Het, I was just checking posts here and I came across this one. A lot of good info from all the people who responded. Who let that girl/lady shoot that Taurus Raging Bull in a relaxed arm position?? Oh well. I have 357 mag and 44 mag and I have fairly large hands and I like both a lot. I do have a question.........
how powerful is that 44 special compared to 357 and 44 magnum? I'd like to try shooting it in my 44 magnun sometime.0 -
.44Special is the round that was made into .44Magnum thats why you can fire .44Special from a .44Magnum but not the other way around..44Special is pretty far down in power compared to any of the larger magnum's.It is a good round and they do offer some hot newer loadings in this caliber but not magnum power levels.it is ideal to load for the majority of target practice and self defense use.For the fact of cheaper ammo and less punishing recoil.Same round just slower,not as strong,not as exspensive and not quite as long but still good none the less.Its about the exact same power difference as shooting .38Special in a .357Magnum. 0 -
I myself do not have large hands, and I wanted a 44mag. I like a wheel gun for around the house and packing, so after some searching I settled on the 5" S&W m29 classic in 44mag. It has resonably sized grips, if you stay away from the bulky wooden contoured ones. The rubber "hogue" grips work great and I have no problems what so ever with control. The m29 and m629 (stainless) have been a standard in the 44 mag for forever and so you should be able to test shoot one at a local range as there have been hundreds sold for every "raging bull". As far a ammo, if you load your own you can taylor make up a load for what ever velosity/kick you want. I personally like a 180g slug doing about 1100fps for around the house, but that's just me. Anyway find the gun that fits you and you can't go wrong. 0 -
Ihave shot some pretty heavy-kicking hanguns,but when I shot my first .454 last fall,I knew I had a tiger by the tail...a pi**ed off tiger!!WOW. IF you like recoil,go for it....especially if you NEED that power for where you live.
A heavy loaded .44 mag will do for nearly all kinds of shooting...bears,I would go bigger.....and that' would by my choice for an everyday carryin' magnum shooter.
Throckmortons' the alias,cas is the game.0 -
I appreciate all the help and advise. I am leanning a little more towards .44 mag. I hunt big game, deer, black bear, and moose here. I am not sure that a .357 mag would be all the gun I would want. Also, if I am to ever travel to grizzly country for a hunting trip I would like to feel like I have enough fire power. What do you think about this? 0 -
.44 mag with the right loading should take any of those animals but not .357 magnum.The ,357 I am sure could kill them but not fast enough.If you are hunting black bear or in grizzly country and you want .44Mag look into getting some 310 grain Garret Super Hard Cast loads for it.The .454 recoil could put you in a bad situation if you accidentally came across a close startled Grizzly if you miss your first shot.You could always look into getting a Marlin Guide Gun in .44Mag(very small and light for a rifle) or a short barreled shotgun with slugs for those Grizzly's.I would never advise someone to go on a predesignated hunting trip to hunt Grizzly with a hang gun,this work is beeter left to high powered rifle rounds.If its to carry while your in Grizzly country just in case one comes across you and you want to scare it away or something like that thats fine.Dont go to intenionally kill a Grizzly with a handgun though.Get you a Guide Gun in 45/70 Government or something of that nature. 0 -
Do not go below a 44 mag if you lookin for a backup in bear country and use a heavy "solid" bullet.
If you planning on using the revolver as your primary hunting weapon reconsider doing so unless you test fire a 454 and find out you can handle it. Sure 44 mag will do the trick, but when you dealing with things that bite back heed the advice of Ruark ... "Take enough gun"
If you only have time to do two things so-so, or one thing well ... do the one thing!0
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