whelen36

does anybody have any info on these two rounds , there being chambered in a variation of the marlin 1895 and i was just curious

T/C fan!

I can't tell you much of the difference between the two, other than both shoot the same diameter bullet(.475) and that the Linebaugh has a little more punch. According to Hornady's website, the 475 shot from a 7" barrel, the MV is 1300fps and 1501 ftlbs with a 400gr XTP bullet. While the .
480 Ruger with a 325gr XTP is 1350fps and 1315 ftlbs. Personally, I'd go with the 480. More available factory loads and you don't really lose too much performance. But if you handload, the Linebaugh does have more potential.

handloader1

I would go with the .475 Linebaugh it was considered the most powerful revolver untill the .500 S&W came along. Good luck.

akbound

Hi whelen36,

I could very well be mistaken, but I believe the .480 Ruger can be fired through a .475 Linebaugh just like a .38 Special can be fired through a .357 Magnum or a .44 Special can be fired through a .44 Magnum. The differences being the OAL of the cartridge and the inherent operating pressure and energy. If that is the case it would seem to make the .475 Linebaugh more versatile. (Assuming you have a choice of chamberings....not all guns offer that.)

Good luck.

Dave

whelen36

how would either of the above compare to a .450 marlin or .45/70 gov't ??

akbound

Hi whelen36,

Undoubtedly the velocity of the .450 Marlin or a stout .45-70 load would be higher with bullets of similar Section Density. (And kinetic energy of the longer .450 Marlin/.45-70 would be higher.) Especially in the case of the .480 Ruger which operates at a lower pressure than the .475 Linebaugh. In a handgun the .480 Ruger is going to be much more comfortable and controlable than any of the other three could possibly be. In the case of the .475 Linebaugh it's a little closer comparison. Either the .475 or the .480 make a better "true revolver" round because of their OAL. I know BFR makes revolvers in the longer cased rounds but I find them less appealing than the shorter cartridge revolvers, but that is just a personal preference.

In terms of practical applications there isn't as much difference as most would suspect. The range of uses for the .450 Marlin/.45-70/ and .475 Linebaugh in the real world largely overlap. There are differences to be sure, but they appear larger on paper than in reality!

Remember, the .450 Marlin and .45/70 are true rifle rounds, the .475 Linebaugh and .480 Ruger are true handgun rounds. In the end it's going to boil down to individual preference! Good luck.

Dave

P.S. A good site to make some comparisons:

http://www.reloadersnest.com/index.asp

Just click on rifle and/or handgun and check appropriate calibers.