I just bought a Ruger Alaskan in .454 and was wondering how much more velocity is gained when using the .454 vs. the hot .45 Colt ammo in this short barreled revolver? How does the recoil compare between the two?
Thanks.

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Watch & Pray

Bring a glove.

The ammo that delivers the highest velocity from a long barrel revolver will deliver the highest velocity from a short barrel revolver too. Unless the 45 Colt ammo is loaded to the same pressures as the 454 Casull of course the 454 Casull will generate more velocity when the same weight bullet is used in both.

.45 Colt = 14,000 PSI MAP
.45 Colt Ruger/Freedom Arms = 25,000 PSI to 30,000 PSI (no SAAMI spec)
454 Casull = 65,000 PSI MAP

Same goes for recoil, the ammo with the most felt recoil in a long barrel revolver will also have the most felt recoil in a snub-nose revolver.

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Freedom is never free!!
SWCA #3437

What ArchAngleCD said about velocity and recoil in this thread is correct as far as I have found. What might be a concern in selecting one round over another is accuracy. The above picture shows same hole 25 yard accuracy from a 454 round. My sights on this gun are adjusted for the 460 magnum round. I shoot 454’s about two inches lower and two inches right of the 460’s POI.
The below YouTube video that I made shows the actual recoil and muzzle blast from the .454.
S&W 460 Magnum vs Charging Bear - YouTube
Mark