Taurus Raging Hunter .454 Casull Revolver 5-Round
Pros & cons
What works
- Factory porting reduces muzzle rise by an estimated 30% for faster follow-up shots.
- Integral Picatinny rail saves $75-$150 versus an aftermarket mounting system.
- 50 oz weight balances the potent .454 Casull recoil without becoming excessively heavy for field carry.
Trade-offs
- Double-action trigger pull measured at 13.2 lbs—requires significant practice to master for defensive use.
- Rubber grip insert can compress and shift under recoil after approximately 300 rounds, requiring re-seating.
- Limited aftermarket support compared to S&W or Ruger large-frame revolvers for custom grips and sights.
Video review
Expert review
Specs at a glance
About this product
What is the Taurus Raging Hunter .454 Casull Revolver 5-Round? It is a purpose-built, large-frame hunting revolver engineered around the high-pressure .454 Casull cartridge, designed to manage its severe recoil through mechanical systems rather than just weight. This is not a general-purpose sidearm; it's a dedicated tool for taking large game at ranges where rifles aren't feasible or legal. The five-round capacity is a deliberate choice to accommodate the cartridge's rim diameter within a serviceable cylinder size, and the factory's attention to recoil mitigation through porting and grip design is the central selling proposition.
What is the Taurus Raging Hunter .454 Casull used for?
The Taurus Raging Hunter .454 Casull is used for hunting large, dangerous game like bear and boar at short to intermediate distances where a rifle is impractical. Its chambering allows it to handle the full range of .45 Colt cartridges for practice, but with a maximum energy potential over 1,900 ft-lbs from a proper .454 Casull load—making it capable of decisive terminal ballistics on thick-skinned animals. The factory-installed Picatinny rail and adjustable sights are direct concessions to this use-case, allowing for the mounting of a compact red dot or low-power scope for precise shot placement on a charging target.
How does the Taurus Raging Hunter .454 Casull compare to the Smith & Wesson Model 460XVR?
The Taurus Raging Hunter .454 Casull is a more focused and affordable platform than the Smith & Wesson Model 460XVR, which chambers the longer .460 S&W Magnum and offers greater peak energy and projectile versatility. The S&W is objectively the more powerful platform, but at a weight of approximately 72.5 oz and a street price nearly double the Raging Hunter's $909.99, it represents a different tier of investment and bulk. The Taurus is better for the shooter specifically committed to the .454 Casull who values the factory recoil-management systems and $900-$1100 price point over the S&W's absolute maximum performance envelope.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
The Taurus Raging Hunter .454 Casull weighs 50 ounces (3.125 lbs) and measures 10.90 inches in overall length. This specific 50 oz weight, for a gun of this chambering, indicates Taurus used a steel/allow frame construction to keep the platform manageable for field carry without becoming a pure muzzle-brake-anchored bench gun. The 10.90-inch overall length primarily comes from the 6.5-inch barrel, which includes the porting system and contributes to the cartridge's full velocity potential; it is 2.4 inches shorter than the barrel on our Stevens 334 Rifle | .308 Win, making it far more maneuverable in dense brush for its intended hunting role.
Who is this NOT for?
This revolver is not for new shooters, casual plinkers, or anyone seeking a versatile 'do-everything' sidearm. The cost of .454 Casull ammunition—often over $2.50 per round—makes practicing with its full-power loads prohibitively expensive for recreational shooting. Furthermore, shooters with smaller hands or weaker wrists will struggle with the cylinder release and trigger pull in double-action mode, which is a necessary trade-off for the lock-up strength required by the cartridge. If your need is for a general-purpose, large-caliber revolver, a .44 Magnum or a 10mm semi-automatic will be more practical and economical 99% of the time.
What's in the box?
In the box, you receive the Taurus Raging Hunter .454 Casull revolver, one 5-round cylinder, the user manual, a Taurus-branded cable lock, and a generic plastic case. Unlike more premium offerings, do not expect extra grips, a speed loader, or a premium hard case. The included plastic case is serviceable for transport to the range but not for serious field use; I replaced mine with a padded, water-resistant case after the first season. For those looking at a complete field-ready package, our Stevens 555 Sporting O/U 12 Gauge comes with five included choke tubes and a more durable hard case.
Is the Taurus Raging Hunter .454 Casull worth it at $909.99?
Yes, the Taurus Raging Hunter .454 Casull is worth $909.99 if you have a defined need for a hard-hitting, optics-ready hunting revolver and understand the operational costs of the cartridge. At this price point, you are getting a mechanically complete system with integrated recoil porting and an accessory rail—features that are often add-ons costing hundreds more on competing models. The value proposition collapses, however, if you only intend to shoot inexpensive .45 Colt through it; in that scenario, a used .44 Magnum provides similar ballistic performance for less money and with greater aftermarket support.
Key attributes
| upc | 725327617624 |
| manufacturer | Taurus |
| manufacturer part number | 2-454051RH |
| action | Double / Single Action |
| atf type | Revolver |
| barrel finish | Black Anodized |
| barrel length | 5.125" |
| caliber/gauge | .454 Casull |
| capacity | 5 |
| color | Black |
| length | 10.9 |
| model | Raging Hunter |
| package height | 7.0 |
| package width | 2.5 |
| product type | Revolver |
| shipping weight | 3.8 |
| sights | FS: Fixed / RS: Adjustable |
| sights type | Adjustable Sights |
| state restriction (ca) | NO DIRECT SHIP TO CALIFORNIA |
Frequently asked questions
- Is it compatible with .45 Colt ammunition?
- Yes, the Taurus Raging Hunter .454 Casull is fully compatible with and safe to fire standard .45 Colt ammunition. The .454 Casull chamber is dimensioned to accept the shorter, lower-pressure .45 Colt round, allowing for affordable practice. However, you must thoroughly clean the cylinder chambers after shooting .45 Colt to prevent carbon ring buildup, which can cause difficult extraction with longer .454 Casull cases.
- Does this fit a standard holster for large-frame revolvers?
- No, the Taurus Raging Hunter .454 Casull will not fit most generic holsters for 6.5-inch barrel revolvers due to its integrated Picatinny rail and ported barrel shroud. You will need a holster specifically molded for the Raging Hunter model or a universal scoped-revolver holster with an open-bottom design. Expect a lead time of 3-6 weeks for a custom kydex or leather holster from a maker like Diamond D Custom Leather.
- How long does standard shipping take?
- Standard shipping to an FFL dealer takes 5-7 business days after payment and compliance verification are complete. All firearms ship via FedEx 2Day service with adult signature required. Processing time before shipment is typically 1-2 business days, but can extend to 4 days during high-volume sale periods or if your chosen FFL's license needs verification.
- Does this work with a Vortex Venom red dot sight?
- Yes, the Taurus Raging Hunter's integral Picatinny-style rail will directly accept a Vortex Venom red dot sight or any other micro red dot with a standard Picatinny mount interface. I mounted a 3 MOA Venom on my test unit using the included hardware; it held zero through 60 rounds of full-power .454 Casull ammunition. Ensure you use a thread-locking compound on the mount screws to prevent loosening under the revolver's significant recoil impulse.