10 Top-Tier Large Caliber Handguns That Pack A Punch

Not too long ago, the .44 Magnum was the cock of the walk. It was the most powerful handgun you could buy. Then the .454 Casull came along. Originally chambered in the Ruger Super Blackhawk with a cylinder that held just five rounds, the .454 Casull easily edged out the .44 Magnum in potency.

The first .454 Casull I fired was Dick Casull’s personal gun. “Hang onto it tightly,” he advised. “And oh, yes, it has a hair trigger.” When I lowered the gun toward the sandbag I would rest the butt on, I forgot Dick’s admonishment about the trigger. I cocked the hammer just as the butt came to rest. Wham! The gun fired with an earsplitting roar, and the barrel whipped back hard enough to have seriously damaged my skull if I hadn’t been wearing a sturdy, high-crowned cowboy hat, which softened the blow.

While the .454 Casull has taken any game imaginable, including elephants, it has since been superseded by rounds like the .475 Linebaugh and, more recently, the intimidating .460 and .500 Smith & Wesson. I own a Freedom Arms in the .475 Linebaugh chambering. It may be my imagination, but the .475 Linebaugh seems less punishing to shoot than the Casull. If you’re looking for true big-bore firepower, any of these monster revolvers is capable of downing the largest game.

Taurus Model 454 Raging Bull

The Taurus Model 454 Raging Bull is offered in four different barrel lengths (2.25, 5, 6.5, and 8.3 inches). This double-action/single-action, .454 Casull revolver holds six rounds and is available in blued or matte stainless steel finishes. It has a ventilated rib that accommodates an option base for scope mounting, while a cushioned grip insert helps soften the .454 Casull’s impressive recoil.

Specifications
Caliber: .454 Casull
Barrel: 2.25, 5, 6.5, and 8.3 inches
Weight: 48-63 ounces
Capacity: 6

Taurus Model 513 Raging Judge

The Taurus Model 513 Raging Judge chambers .45 Long Colt, .454 Casull or 3-inch .410 shotshells. This means you can load this double-action/single action revolver with three vastly different types of ammunition depending on your needs. The Taurus Security System prevents firing by unauthorized persons, while the rubber grips and cushioned insert help shooters maintain control when firing this powerful revolver.

Freedom Arms

Freedom Arms is the company that launched the “bigger than .44 Magnum” revolvers concept. Freedom Arms is noted for producing top-quality revolvers that will digest any of today’s high-power handgun cartridges. Ranging in calibers from .44 Magnum to .500 Wyoming Express, the Freedom Arms’ five-shot, SA revolvers deliver custom-quality designs through their hardwood grips and stainless steel frames and barrels. A variety of barrel lengths, from 4.75 to 10 inches, offer any hunter or survival prepper versatile options for protecting themselves in the field. Additionally, the company’s adjustable sight models are drilled and tapped for scope mounts.

In the revolver world, there are plenty of options, but when it comes to works of art in quality and accuracy, few would argue that the Model 83 from Freedom Arms is second to none. The Model 83 is available in a variety of calibers, barrel lengths, and levels of customization from Freedom Arms. The Model 83 Field Grade, for example, is available in .500 Wyoming Express, .475 Linebaugh, .454 Casull, .44 Magnum, .41 Magnum, .357 Magnum, and .22 LR. Would-be Freedom Arms Model 83 owners should be patient, though, as these Wyoming-born revolvers are made one at a time. The Model 83 is currently available in Premier Grade, Field Grade, Rimfire Grade, Silhouette and Competition versions.

Model 83 (Adjustable Sights)

Specifications
Caliber: .44 Magnum, .454 Casull, .475 Linebaugh, .500 Wyoming Express
Barrel: 4.75, 6 inches
Weight: 40-59 ounces
Capacity: 5

Model 83 (Fixed Sights)

Model 97

Specifications
Caliber: .44 Special
Barrel: 4.25, 5.5, 7.5 inches
Weight: 36.7 ounces (w/5.5-inch barrel)
Capacity: 5

Magnum Research BFR

Magnum Research Inc.’s BFR (Big Frame Revolver) is an SA, stainless steel revolver offered with either a long or short frame. Both frame sizes are machined to accommodate MRI’s own scope base, which is included with the revolver. The BFR’s grip frame is CNC machined from an investment casting and features a large trigger loop rounded in the back to prevent it from “biting” the user. The revolver features traditional Western-style grips and checkered rubber grip panels that help soften recoil. While these grips may look traditional, they won’t rotate in the hand as the grips of conventional SA revolvers do.

Specifications
Caliber: .30/30 Winchester, .350 Legend, .444 Marlin, .450 Marlin, .45 Long Colt/.410, .45/70 Gov’t, .460 S&W Magnum, .500 S&W Magnum
Barrel: 7.5 inches
Weight: 4.5 lbs., 4.7 lbs., 5 lbs., 5.3 lbs.
Capacity: 5, 6 (.30/30 Win, .350 Legend, .45 Long Colt/.410 only)

Ruger Super Redhawk

Ruger’s Super Redhawk is a DA/SA revolver available in .44 Magnum, .454 Casull or .480 Ruger. The full-sized version features a 7.5-inch barrel and black Hogue Tamer Monogrips. (A 9.5-inch-barrelled version is also available in .44 Mag.) The satin stainless revolver weighs 53 ounces and has an adjustable rear sight. Overall length is 13 inches. The cylinder locks into the front, rear and bottom of the frame, and scalloped cuts in the beefy quarter rib accommodate Ruger scope rings. A transfer bar prevents accidental discharge. The cylinder holds six rounds. (ruger.com)

Specifications
Caliber: .44 Magnum, .454 Casull, .480 Ruger
Barrel: 7.5, 9.5 inches
Weight: 53-58 ounces
Capacity: 6

Ruger Super Redhawk Alaskan

The 44-ounce Ruger Super Redhawk Alaskan is a lighter, more compact verson of the Super Redhawk. Designed specifically to deter close-range bear attacks, it sports a 2.5-inch barrel and produces serious muzzle blast. No scope mounting accessories are provided. This is the gun to carry on your hip in grizzly country. Like its big brother, this DA revolver is available in .44 Magnum, .454 Casull or .480 Ruger. (ruger.com)

Specifications
Caliber: .44 Magnum, .454 Casull, .480 Ruger
Barrel: 2.5 inches
Weight: 44-45 ounces
Capacity: 6

Smith & Wesson Model 460XVR

The DA/SA Smith & Wesson Model 460XVR revolver chambers the fastest factory handgun round in production, .460 S&W, which delivers 2,300 feet-per-second (fps) velocities. The stainless, 8.38-inch barrel features interchangeable compensators to accommodate different loads. The five-shot, 72.5-ounce revolver’s gain-twist rifling is designed for maximum accuracy when it counts. (smith-wesson.com; 800-331-0852)

Specifications
Caliber: .460 S&W
Barrel: 8.38 inches
Weight: 72.5 ounces (empty)
Capacity: 5

Smith & Wesson Model 500

The S&W Model 500 is the most powerful production revolver currently manufactured. This five-shot revolver produces 2,600 foot-pounds of muzzle energy, making recoil a serious consideration for its operator. Built on S&W’s X-Frame developed specifically to handle the .500 S&W’s power, the stainless steel S&W500 features adjustable rear and Hi-Viz interchangeable front sights.

Specifications
Caliber: S&W 500
Barrel: 8.38 inches
Weight: 72.5 ounces (empty)
Capacity: 5

For More Information

Taurus
https://www.taurususa.com

Freedom Arms
https://www.freedomarms.com

Ruger
https://www.ruger.com

Magnum Research