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  #1  
Old 05-11-2021, 7:48 PM
heavyhaulin818 heavyhaulin818 is offline
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Default Is there a best year/s for the Ruger Super Redhawk Alaskans in 454 Casull?

Looking to add a 454 Alaskan and it got me wondering if there was/is a production year that saw the best examples of the 454’s or are they all pretty equal?
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Old 05-11-2021, 8:40 PM
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All I can go by is that I have a first run example. It may have been micro inspected at Ruger before they let Gun Tests Magazine have it for testing. I was able to buy it direct from the FFL that supplied the gun to the magazine. This one has a dressed solid front sight pin, later ones I have seen have a roll pin in it's place. It is mechanically sound. Paid $525 plus tax, transfer and shipping to CA from Texas.
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Old 05-11-2021, 9:03 PM
heavyhaulin818 heavyhaulin818 is offline
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Wow! That’s a gorgeous gun plus it has a story/history behind it...very cool. I’ll have to look into the sight pin, never thought about it. All the ones i have found are older so I’m hoping quality control was pretty consistent throughout the years.
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Old 05-12-2021, 8:32 AM
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I would primarily shoot 45Colt through one, but I wonder with such a short barrel, what will a 454 round feel like ? I am looking for a camp gun and like the 454 Casull idea and I was looking for a 5" barrel but they don't seem to be made, 2.5" seems awfully short for a 454 round, but that would be nice with that short barrel for a camp gun.
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Old 05-12-2021, 9:09 AM
heavyhaulin818 heavyhaulin818 is offline
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Ruger had made a 5ish in 454 they named Toklat, there is one on gunbroker. I alrady own a S&W 460 XVR but it comes with an 8.5” barrel. I want one as you said...a camp gun.
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Old 05-12-2021, 9:58 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mikeyr View Post
I would primarily shoot 45Colt through one, but I wonder with such a short barrel, what will a 454 round feel like ? I am looking for a camp gun and like the 454 Casull idea and I was looking for a 5" barrel but they don't seem to be made, 2.5" seems awfully short for a 454 round, but that would be nice with that short barrel for a camp gun.
It would feel like flushing money down the toilet I'd say. Unless you like epic fireballs. I'm sure Buffalo Bore makes a heavy and slow .45 load for short barrels that will give good penetration.
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Old 05-12-2021, 11:16 AM
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I hand-load for it and since the barrel is so short, actually more like 3 1/2" overall, I use fast burning Titegroup powder with good results. Recoil is a bit stouter than .44 Mag out of my 8 3/8" Model 29. I tried IMR 4227 and it would not burn well in that short barrel. It's meant to be a short range last resort kind of gun but will group respectably at 25 yds. As I stated before my primary motivation for buying it was I got a good deal on it, but it is fun to shoot.
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Old 05-13-2021, 7:00 AM
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The gun is absolutely supposed to be a “last-resort” weapon, holstered on a chest rig. Available to use short-range or up against a target that has incapacitated you and with minimal clearance to unholster or discharge the weapon.

Very specific purpose, that gun.
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Old 05-13-2021, 8:36 AM
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those last 2 posts, clearly state why this is a great camp gun. Something to throw in the back of the Jeep and take with you on hikes and into the tent at night. And Stainless to boot, scratch it up and clean it up.

My current camp gun is a S&W Model 66 no dash, that I bought new in the late 70's, I am shooting more 45Colt now than .38/.357 so time to get a new camp gun. I did like that Toklat posted above also, but wow expensive.
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Old 05-13-2021, 10:18 AM
norcalAF norcalAF is offline
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I have the baby brother, a stainless spurless sp101 in .357 Mag. and the long little brother a 9.5 inch super redhawk in .44 Mag. Mine are both older examples and a bit tighter in lockup and fitting than my new Match Champion .357 Mag. I would recommend getting an older example if you have the choice.
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Old 05-13-2021, 11:08 AM
heavyhaulin818 heavyhaulin818 is offline
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norcalAF, that is what I was curious about. In some makes of guns...older seems to be a better choice. I was a bit worried that an older Alaskan would be just that...old and maybe no different than a new production but I can not find a new one anywhere so I should be fine with an older modrl.
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Old 05-13-2021, 1:58 PM
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Older, good condition, examples probably don’t get shot that much due to the power of the cartridge.

I’m sure there are people that use an Alaskan regularly, just that I’d guess the majority don’t.

Just make sure you can inspect the gun and check lockup before you buy.

I’ve never had any issues with my Ruger revolvers, but transfer bar operation is the biggest problem people seem to have. Not too much info on canted barrels, but my S&W 500 had that and had to go back for service, so it can happen to any MFR.
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Old 05-13-2021, 4:38 PM
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Good to know, there are a couple of them on gunbroker with good closeup images but can’t tell lock up or timing from pictures. Hopefully I’ll find one that I can inspect in person. I just watched a YouTube video of a guy referring to the Ruger Alaskan as king and how they are load tested...pretty impressive IMO.
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Old 05-13-2021, 6:59 PM
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I have this in .454 and .44 Magnum! Got a great deal on them. Turner's was blowing them out a couple years ago. Each was under 700 out the door. I'd have bought the .480 if they'd had it!

They really are fun to shoot. The big Hogue grips make them surprisingly easy to hang on to.

They're rated to handle all of Buffalo Bore's +p+ loads!
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Old 05-13-2021, 7:38 PM
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Turner’s is the route I am going to go.
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Old 05-13-2021, 10:20 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by heavyhaulin818 View Post
norcalAF, that is what I was curious about. In some makes of guns...older seems to be a better choice. I was a bit worried that an older Alaskan would be just that...old and maybe no different than a new production but I can not find a new one anywhere so I should be fine with an older modrl.
In a lot of cases, they just don't make them like they used too! As others have said, inspect thoroughly prior to purchase regardless.
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Old 05-13-2021, 11:54 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by heavyhaulin818 View Post
Good to know, there are a couple of them on gunbroker with good closeup images but can’t tell lock up or timing from pictures. Hopefully I’ll find one that I can inspect in person. I just watched a YouTube video of a guy referring to the Ruger Alaskan as king and how they are load tested...pretty impressive IMO.
I’m pretty sure the S&W Model 500ES might have something to say on that royal pedigree.





That video cracks me up.
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Old 05-14-2021, 4:43 PM
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I own a couple 500’s one with a 4” barrel and my 8 3/8” version I use for hog hunting.

I am also the reason you can’t plink with either the 500 or 50 Deagle at the indoor range in HB.

They were not pleased , ha ha. With hand loads nobody wants to plink near you.

Good times , good times.
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Old 05-14-2021, 6:28 PM
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Ever see John Linebaugh shoot one of his hand cannons? He let the gun, wrist and forearm rise up with his elbow bending across his body diagonally, taking a lot of the force out of the shot instead of punishing your wrist like that guy did.
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Old 05-14-2021, 7:34 PM
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I ended up putting a deposit on a new Alaskan now just gotta wait for Ruger to make a batch and send them out. On another note...anyone looking/needing a S&W 460 XVR 8 incher (used though)?
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Old 05-14-2021, 8:27 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by heavyhaulin818 View Post
Looking to add a 454 Alaskan and it got me wondering if there was/is a production year that saw the best examples of the 454’s or are they all pretty equal?
I think the most qualified individual who might best answer your question is Hamilton Bowen, founder of Bowen Classic Arms, located in Louisville, Tennessee.
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Old 05-14-2021, 9:09 PM
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Thank you for the lead splithoof, with the way Ruger Alaskans are made...I think any year will be great. I can not imagine anyone firing thousands of rounds through one.
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Old 05-15-2021, 3:52 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by heavyhaulin818 View Post
I can not imagine anyone firing thousands of rounds through one.
If I were goin to acquire that for what I see as it’s intended purpose, I would do a LOT of practice shooting, from the position of retention, at close range, drawing from a holster. And dressed the way you would be when in the area you will be using it in.
Loading .454 with reduced recoil, lead-bullet options is easy, and will allow for considerable practice that is more affordable.
I would also spend a good bit of time with it doing transition work, in the event your rifle for some reason can’t be used after shouldered.
It’s a beast, and will stand up to many thousands of rounds.

While not an Alaskan, and in a lot smaller caliber, this is my RSRH in .44 Magnum, after returning from Bowen Classic Arms:
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Last edited by splithoof; 05-15-2021 at 3:56 PM..
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Old 05-15-2021, 6:59 PM
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If it were me, I'd prefer to get a firearm from the first 10-20k built. The reason is because this is the manufacturing range where the gun tooling used is still "crisp" so all parts are in spec of the original design. After about 20k, the tooling starts to wear and each additional firearm produced may start to have some slop or minor spec issues. Over time, if the tooling isn't rebuilt or completely replaced, quality & reliability will go downhill.

Now this won't matter for guns like Glock, where they'll have literally dozens of sets for each model and can afford to make more as necessary, but for guns such as the Alaskan, expenses & limited sales volume necessitates just one set for each caliber and when that tooling has reached its lifespan, the gun may cease production because the gunmaker can't afford a new set.
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Old 05-15-2021, 7:19 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by norcalAF View Post
I have the baby brother, a stainless spurless sp101 in .357 Mag. and the long little brother a 9.5 inch super redhawk in .44 Mag. Mine are both older examples and a bit tighter in lockup......
I have those as well, and the SRH as pictured in an above post started life in in 1989 with that “golf club” 9.5” barrel. Hamilton said it was very well made, strong, and very durable. Those are some of the reasons his company uses those for conversions.

http://www.bowenclassicarms.com/
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Old 05-16-2021, 2:12 AM
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Bought one a couple years ago. It was beautiful, felt like a tank, and worked like a charm.

I really liked this revolver, and I would recommend it. It can also shoot .45 Long Colt, which is a big plus with today's ammo prices.
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Old 05-16-2021, 8:09 AM
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Happy to see all the positive comments, I am definitely looking forward to owning one. New inventory is starting to pop up in stores so hopefully my order will be filled within the next year or two.
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