480 Ruger Reloading

[Raging Bull]

It has been too hot here to spend any quality time on the shooting bench, so I ordered some new reloading dies in the 480 Ruger. They came in yesterday and the bullets had to be ordered. I guess he sold out the box that he had in stock. Thats ok. I have a few hundred rounds of brass that needs cleaned, de-primed, primed and gotten ready for the 400g that I had him order. The reason I posted this is because I was hoping someone out there has done some extensive 480 reloading and can steer me into some good reload mixes, and maybe whats the best powder to use for this powerhouse of a round. Anything will be most appreciated. This is only my second round to reload. I started back in May with the 44 Mag. and it has gotten tweaked as much as I can tweak it with what I have, so until I get some more experience with it, this is my next step in a long line of cartridges I hope to visit on the reloading bench. Oh, almost forgot, added the Hornady reloading book yesterday to my collection also. I hope it was a good choice between it and the speer, or do you think I need to go get the speer reloading manual also?

[msharley]

Hey RB,

Can never have enough loading books. Even have several "out' on loan. Plenty of reading materiel here.

Later, Mark

[Sweetwater]

Oh yeah - you definitely need a library!! Never know when you will discover a typo in data and save you some misery at the range - it happens. The library also gives you tips and ideas of different types of loads for different purposes as well as different cartridges that have been developed over time. I have several Speers, several Hornadys, traded off my 2nd set of Sierras, Lyman Cast manual, Shooting Steel (some really wild stuff in there), near 30 years of Rifle and Handloader magazines, Shooting Times, NA Hunter, NRA Hunter, plus many more - as posted, they make good reading in front of the fireplace.

Jeff
NRA Life

[Raging Bull]

I was just over at Midway looking for reloading items for my 480 and noticed powder as one of the items in cue to be looked at in regards to this particular round. When I went to that page, up popped Ramshot Enforcer. Apparently Midway seems to be suggesting this for an appropriate powder for this particular round. My question is, has anyone used the Enforcer powder? (not necessarily specifically for this round, but any round) If so, do you recommend it like Midway apparently does, or should it be another one of those mark off the list of powders to try out?

[Parson]

Hello RB...

I've loaded quite a few 480 Rounds for both Ruger Super Redhawks and Rossi Carbines. I've used jacketed and hard cast bullets. One powder stands out... (and its not romantic) H110/296 (same powder, comes from the same kegs) Max. loads will not be difficult to find in any of the common loading manuals. The neat thing about the 480 (like the 50 AE) is that it operates on lower pressures than say the 454 and some of the other hard hitting handgun calibers. Its enjoyable to shoot and doesnt feel like your hitting an anvil with a steel handled ball peen hammer.

Sure would like a Marlin 1894 chambered for the 480!

Have fun,

Andy

[Raging Bull]

I hear ya there Parson, I would have loved to have a 475 Linebaugh in that same Marlin just so I could plink with the 480's!! Thanks for the heads up on the 110/296......I had heard several people complain about the H110 in the past, not because its a good powder for max loads, but it seems to be a bad powder for the lighter loads. I am more of a middle of the road shooter myself. If I need a load so hot that Lucifer is stamped on the barrel, I will just get a larger gun. (only exception is if I am hunting buffalo or Grizzly or some similar aminal!---(thats how my son spelled animal when he was younger !)

[Sweetwater]

Yeah, aminal was quite popular among the youngsters! LOL!

H110/W296 needs to run at the higher pressures to insure a proper ignition. This is facilitated by running at 90% or better case capacity. There are lots of better powders for lighter loads, as previously posted.

Jeff
NRA Life

[Raging Bull]

Well guys I just got a lesson and a half on the 480 thanks to sweetwater telling me about John Taffin. I found several web sites that tells a lot about people reloaing this round. It seems that H110 and LilGun was choice powders for it. Without trying to make a book, here is some of the short of it. Taffin took a buffalo at I believe 60 yards with a 480 by using 410g bullet and 1100fps. Another post was talking about a 460g bullet that is being cast for this load. It got my attention pretty quick. Thanks again sweetwater for the heads up. More fuel for my notebook. I think I will try to find some of these 410 and 460g cast and see how my gun likes it.

[Raging Bull]

OK guys I did manage to finally get back to the gunshop yesterday. The bad first, my 45 ACP dies came in but the wrong brand from what I ordered and I was not about to give him 70 bucks for a set of dies, when I can get the Lee's for around 30. Luckily my 400g XTP rounds came in for my 475. I tried to look for some Lil Gun but he didn't have any in so I will have to order some of that powder. Anyway, last night I loaded a few to see what happened. Since I am, at least for the moment still stuck with two powders, I chose the lighter of the two, Trail Boss. I went back to the books and to the web to try and find a good medium load for these massive rounds. I did not find a powder mix for the 400's. I did, however, find a stretch mix of other stuff. I think if I had to give you a number, I found everything from 3.5 all the way up to 5.7g of powder for the Trail Boss. Figureing that I can start slap dab in the middle, I decided to load up five rounds and give it a start of a try. I managed to go 4.6g and I have to say it surprised me to no end. Maybe either this powder is just too light or I started too low on the spectrum, but it was based on what I found. The shot sounded a little louder than a 22 (but I did have muffs on and someone standing about fifty yards away said the same thing) and I have shot 22's that kicked harder. It was only a quick test run, but the bullets hit at 20 yards where I aimed them, so that was a good thing. I decided to try and call up IMR about the trail boss but when I called they were closed for the day so I guess I wil have to wait till Monday to get a verification on whats a good load, but thats the two cents from what I tried out. Not going too fast, especially when it almost feels like too light a load, but I sitll dont want to venture in the heavy hitter territory until I get a lot more familiar with this round. Theres something you guys can chew on and tell me where you think I need to go with this round! thanks

[Sweetwater]

I think, and this is how I feel about all loads to date, your revolver told you the whole story. You pulled the trigger, the revolver replied with recoil and noise, as well as a hole downrange. Your evaluation of the recoil and noise reported, "light and quiet". IF that was what you wanted, you have arrived. IF NOT, you are safe to continue your journey - baby steps. You are still learning about this cartridge and going about it wisely and safely. That's a lot of the fun - proceeding wisely and safely. Oh, and having fun!

Jeff
NRA Life