polymerfeelsweirdman Posted May 31, 2014 Share Posted May 31, 2014 This isn't directly related to competition shooting but I am confident some of you will have good advice on this. I am interested in improving my skills with the big magnum revolvers (.454 casull, .460 s&w mag, .500 s&w mag). I have no problem with .44 mag, .357 mag, etc. but I was trying a Ruger Alaskan in .454 casull and just could not keep my support hand on the frame under recoil. I think part of the issue is the short barrel just makes it recoil very quickly, but I still want to know if there is some secret to handling it. Does it just require a white knuckle grip? Perhaps some Stickum? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Akacala Posted May 31, 2014 Share Posted May 31, 2014 I didn't notice a problem when I shot my Ruger Alaskan the first time, but I've trained my grip strength (for judo and shooting). I just gripped it till the sights started shaking then backed off til they stopped to determine how hard I was going to grip it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
56hawk Posted May 31, 2014 Share Posted May 31, 2014 Closest I've come to having an issue is with shooting 700 grain bullets out of my snubnose 500. In the video below you can see how it kind of torques out of my hand for an instant. Don't think there are any secrets though. The tighter your grip the less it will move. On the other hand I try to keep the rest of my body pretty loose so the recoil isn't as punishing. If you are going to be shooting all day you don't want your elbows and shoulders to start hurting. And to get this back to competition shooting, large magnum revolvers are great for USPSA: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PatJones Posted May 31, 2014 Share Posted May 31, 2014 I've shot a fair bit of magnum handguns. I handload. When I get a newer and bigger cartridge I begin with starting loads and work my way up so I can get used to the gun. That said, I find some guns more comfortable than others. I still shoot a reduced load out of my 4" 629. The recoil on the 4" is much more severe than the 6" guns I've shot. My 454 is a scoped Ruger bisley with an 11" barrel. It's been comfortable with anything I've fed it. I've only shot a friend's 454 Alaskan with starting loads and found it very controllable with them. The big S&W 500 and 460 are very pleasant in the longer barrel lengths, but the muzzle blast from the 460 is brutal indoors. You are right that grip strength is key, as is finding a good position for your support hand. Try to get the heel of the support hand firmly onto the portion of the grip left exposed by your shooting hand. Then squeeze with both hands. For me it is important to alternate a revolver chambered in a smaller cartridge in with the big gun. This helps detect any flinch that develops. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
one-gun Posted May 31, 2014 Share Posted May 31, 2014 And to get this back to competition shooting, large magnum revolvers are great for USPSA: 56hawk, still love this video of you leading the hand-held howitzer class. Impressive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
polymerfeelsweirdman Posted May 31, 2014 Author Share Posted May 31, 2014 With your grip, where do you put your support thumb? Thanks for the answers everyone Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PatJones Posted May 31, 2014 Share Posted May 31, 2014 (edited) Shooting hand thumb is low against my middle finger, like I'm making a fist. With the support hand it varies based on the size of the grip. If the grip is large enough so that I can get the heel of my support hand onto the grip I place it on top of the shooting hand thumb. Most full-sized revolvers allow this. It is opposite of the thumb position taught for auto pistols. With very small revolvers, like the j-frame I carry, I place the support thumb over the shooting hand behind the gun. Edited May 31, 2014 by PatJones Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luv2rideWV Posted June 4, 2014 Share Posted June 4, 2014 I have nothing productive to add to this that hasn't already been said, but I just wanted to say how much I enjoyed one-gun's USPSA video with the 500 snubbie. The best part is about half way through the video where he is shooting through the port, and the blast coming out of the barrel to cylinder gap leaves the big black blast mark on the no-shoot target to the left! We compete because it is fun, and that looks like a BLAST! (pun intended) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
one-gun Posted June 4, 2014 Share Posted June 4, 2014 Luv2rideWV, that was 56hawk and not me behind that cannon. I was just appreciating again, as I had when he originally posted that video, his gun handling and the large attachments he must possess in order to do so for an entire match. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
polymerfeelsweirdman Posted June 9, 2014 Author Share Posted June 9, 2014 (edited) You know, I think I might have figured the problem out and it might only be partially my fault. I went back and looked at the brass I kept and almost all the casings had split. These were factory loads so I assume they were in spec, but the cases were nickel. I have had the same problem of keeping my grip with 10mm (semi auto) before, specifically with nickel cases that also split. Switched to brass and tried slightly hotter loadings in the 10mm and shooting that was easy. I am guessing the same would be true to an extent with the .454 (probably not as easy however). Edited June 9, 2014 by polymerfeelsweirdman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fiddler Posted June 9, 2014 Share Posted June 9, 2014 I have nothing productive to add to this that hasn't already been said, but I just wanted to say how much I enjoyed one-gun's USPSA video with the 500 snubbie. The best part is about half way through the video where he is shooting through the port, and the blast coming out of the barrel to cylinder gap leaves the big black blast mark on the no-shoot target to the left! We compete because it is fun, and that looks like a BLAST! (pun intended) I think there should be a 'Dirty Harry' division. Shoot a magnum revolver, strong hand only, one shot to neutralize a target, all hits are As. If you run out of ammo you ask the target if it feels lucky. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gr7070 Posted June 10, 2014 Share Posted June 10, 2014 Grip the X-frame guns lower to allow for a bigger moment arm in the recoil which will lessen the felt recoil by lengthening the time of energy absorption. You'll have greater muzzle rise, obviously, but that isn't a negative with typical uber-caliber usage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Akacala Posted June 10, 2014 Share Posted June 10, 2014 gr7070, Can you expand on that a little bit? I'm not sure I'm completely understanding you, but I am interested in the idea. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gr7070 Posted June 10, 2014 Share Posted June 10, 2014 (edited) Jerry recommends the lower hold, I just expanded upon why I I believe it works. http://www.shootingusa.com/PRO_TIPS/MICULEK2/miculek2.html Instead of all that force abruptly going into your hands because there's less give in your arms/hands with the bore aligned with your arms/wrists/hands, with a little bigger lever arm (distance from bore to your have) there's more give in your system and your hands don't perceive that full, abrupt force. That's my theory anyway. Edited June 10, 2014 by gr7070 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gr7070 Posted June 10, 2014 Share Posted June 10, 2014 (edited) Whoops. Edited June 10, 2014 by gr7070 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Akacala Posted June 10, 2014 Share Posted June 10, 2014 Thanks that makes sense to me. The phrase "bigger moment arm in the recoil" was giving me problems pre-coffee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luv2rideWV Posted June 10, 2014 Share Posted June 10, 2014 I have nothing productive to add to this that hasn't already been said, but I just wanted to say how much I enjoyed one-gun's USPSA video with the 500 snubbie. The best part is about half way through the video where he is shooting through the port, and the blast coming out of the barrel to cylinder gap leaves the big black blast mark on the no-shoot target to the left! We compete because it is fun, and that looks like a BLAST! (pun intended) I think there should be a 'Dirty Harry' division. Shoot a magnum revolver, strong hand only, one shot to neutralize a target, all hits are As. If you run out of ammo you ask the target if it feels lucky. LOVE THE IDEA! The little guns in the Dirty Harry division would be the .44 Magnums. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
polymerfeelsweirdman Posted June 10, 2014 Author Share Posted June 10, 2014 (edited) Didn't he use a model 25 though? Some people even say a model 57 was used Edited June 10, 2014 by polymerfeelsweirdman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carmoney Posted June 11, 2014 Share Posted June 11, 2014 Clint Eastwood confirmed it was a Model 29 that was used as the movie prop. We run a special invitation-only big bore match in the winters around here...minimum is .44 Mag. Afterward we fight the chill with plenty of chili and whisky! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
polymerfeelsweirdman Posted June 11, 2014 Author Share Posted June 11, 2014 I would love a magnum division or even a big magnum match... -200 pf minimum -semis and wheelguns -350 pf major Maybe it would cause a surge in .45 win mag Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Endurokids Posted June 12, 2014 Share Posted June 12, 2014 I'm getting the equipment together to shoot my Model 29-10 in USPSA this year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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