2016 Handgun of the Year: Ruger New Model Super Blackhawk in .454 Casull/.480 Ruger

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Handgun of the Year: Ruger New Model Super Blackhawk in .454 Casull/.480 Ruger
Handgun hunters begged for years for .480 Ruger in a Ruger single-action, and last year the company finally released not only the .480 Ruger but also the.454 Casull in its Super Blackhawk. Ruger mated the standard Super Blackhawk 415 stainless steel frame to a 6.5-inch stainless steel barrel, a five-shot 465 Carpenter steel cylinder counter-bored to encapsulate case heads, a locking base pin to resist “walking out” under recoil and a Bisley grip frame.

AH contributor Max Prasac was on the cutting edge of this development. In 2014, he tested a prototype .454 Casull with nearly 1,000 rounds, and shortly thereafter did the same thing with a .480 Ruger (“Hardware,” December ’15). Basically a shortened .475 Linebaugh, the .480 Ruger is a serious big-game hunting cartridge that isn’t too abusive to the shooter. Prasac reported outstanding accuracy from the .480 Ruger: “I own a number of more expensive revolvers that cannot compete with the accuracy of this new Ruger.”

What was once a custom-only and cost-prohibitive proposition is now a reality—for less than $1,000. Handgun hunters can rejoice as two of their favorite calibers are available in the revolver they love. ruger.com

Editor's Note: Winning products must be tested by the editors, meet or exceed expectations on innovation, and provide hunters and shooters with value for their money. NRA Publications will present the annual Golden Bullseye Awards at an invitation-only breakfast during the 2016 NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits in Louisville, Ky., May 20-22.