. . . One suggestion, steer clear of the 480. . .
Yes. The Ruger .480 was the answer to a question nobody asked.
An failed attempt to position between .44 Mag and .454 Casull. When intermediate power .454 Casull loads were already available. See below.
. . . 454s & 480s don't come in a "short or special load. . ..
Correct about the Ruger .480.
But, sorry, I'll have to disagree on the .454.
.454 Casull is available in "reduced power" loads. Think of the level of a "normal" full-power .44 Mag.
And, less recoil is readily available since .45 Long Colt can be fired in .454 Casull guns (like .44 Special relationship to .44 Mag).
This allows a WIDE range of power (recoil) from the weak .45 LC "cowboy action" loads up to .454 Casull full-power "Big Brown Grizzly" stuff.
Look on Midway USA to compare velocity and energy for all kinds of "stuff". And, all are expensive per round if you don't reload.
. . .So if you miss...well, I've heard .454 casulls can match the velocity and energy of a 30.06, whether thYself true or not, it would be a hell of a thing to find out the wrong way at the expense of a loves one.
I think the hype about super recoil is just that -- hype. Yes, considerable recoil. But not dangeous given proper "training" and expectations.
As for "up to the power level of a 30-06 rifle", sorry. Not even close.
Per our old friend, Sir Isaac Newton. Kinetic Energy = Mass times Velocity times Velocity.
The jump from 1800 fps for .454 "full power" to 2700 fps for 30-06 outweighs the "weight advantage" for .454.
It's that "velocity squared" deal that does the trick.
My lady friend did "react strongly" to her first shot in my Ruger SRH Alaskan 2 1/2" barrel "snubby". But, it didn't hurt her.
She just said "Damn", and some other stuff non-printable here. And laughed loudly. And fired it again. Hey, maybe that's why I like her. :mrgreen:
I didn't mean to go all negative on your viewpoints. Just throwing out my $.02. YMMV.