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#202889 - 10/24/19 03:51 PM

Powder & Primers for 480?

Vance in AK.
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Registered: 01/18/04
Posts: 2285
Loc: Kenai, Alaska

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Well I got back one of those "What was I thinking?" guns that I had let go of a few years ago & am excited to start playing with it again. Hopefully it can be my go to moose/bear gun in the 2020 seasons. It's a target grey finish 7.5" SRH with Ultradot.

So to my question. Not sure what bullets I will end up shooting. Possibly something like the 325 Deep curl or A-Frames or maybe back to the old favorite 400ish gr cast. When I was loading before I was using Lil Gun & it worked well but everyone was concerned with throat erosion.
I like H-110 & WW 296 but up here in AK a lot of guys say they get inconsistent velocities with them in the cold.
Your suggestions on a powder primer combo?

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Vance in AK.

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#202891 - 10/24/19 04:49 PM

Re: Powder & Primers for 480? [Re: Vance in AK.]

98Redline
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Registered: 10/10/10
Posts: 700
Loc: Eastern PA

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2400 is always a good choice. Not quite the hot rod that H110/296 is but well within magnum territory.

Unique is also a good choice for mid range loads. It is sooty at the lower charge weights but cleans up very nicely near it's max loading.

Primer wise I have always used Winchester Large Pistols in the 480 because I had a decent stockpile of them. Never any issues with them and ll of my rounds went bang.

Edited by 98Redline (10/24/19 04:51 PM)

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#202892 - 10/24/19 07:51 PM

Re: Powder & Primers for 480? [Re: 98Redline]

45MAN
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Registered: 08/13/17
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Loc: brownsville, texas

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I LIKE VVN-110 AND MAGNUM PRIMERS IN THE 480 (I USE FED 155M's 'CUZ THAT IS WHAT I HAVE). IT WILL GET YOU CLOSE TO TOP END VELOCITIES WITH H-110/WW296. ACCURATE AND CONSISTENT (IN TYPICAL TEXAS WEATHER), ONLY DRAWBACK IS IT IS A LITTLE PRICEY, BUT YOU USE A LITTLE LESS POWDER THAN IF YOU WERE USING H-110/WW296.

Edited by 45MAN (10/24/19 07:52 PM)

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#202895 - 10/24/19 09:44 PM

Re: Powder & Primers for 480? [Re: 45MAN]

sixshot
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Registered: 11/20/09
Posts: 776

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I've had good success with HS6 & 4227 using standard LP primers. Wouldn't worry about H110 in cold weather with magnum primers but I might worry about it in really cold weather. Never had a problem with it here in Idaho.

Dick

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#202896 - 10/24/19 10:03 PM

Re: Powder & Primers for 480? [Re: Vance in AK.]

reflex264
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Registered: 05/04/12
Posts: 1959

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Montana 375

First thing is give this bullet a whirl. It drastically out runs the 400,405,410 and 420 grains. The bearing surface is matched perfectly for the 480. The slightly shorter over all length lets it take the powder charges perfectly for the 370 CPB which is no longer made. Use Hodgdon's starting load and work up.

H110 or 296 will work fine but not with a reduced load. With about a grain off of max I use 155 Primers. I don't think you can get it cold enough for a problem as long as you are close to max and use a magnum primer. My SRH (new model) is shooting 1.5" 5 shot groups at 100 yards with the "little gun" load. I am very careful about shooting little gun. It is a matter of check the scope and hunt with it.

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#202899 - 10/25/19 03:06 PM

Re: Powder & Primers for 480? [Re: reflex264]

Sawfish
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Registered: 02/10/04
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Loc: Peoples Republik of Kalifornia

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Accurate #9 and Federal F-155 primers.

Following are chronographed velocities of select factory loads.

275 Barnes EXP 1429
275 Speer Gold Dot 1409
325 Speer Gold Dot 1329

Cor-Bon advertises 1550 for its 275 DPX load, but I did not chronograph those

My preferred load for the .480 Ruger is the Montana Bullet Works WFNGC 400 gr over 19.0 of WC-820 (AA #9) for 1126 fps. This is a BHN-15 bullet

Edited by Sawfish (10/25/19 03:16 PM)

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#202900 - 10/25/19 10:10 PM

Re: Powder & Primers for 480? [Re: Vance in AK.]

Mr. Bisley
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Registered: 06/18/19
Posts: 76

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From the folks at Western Powders

480 Ruger

Barrel: 7.5" ? Twist: 1-18" ? Primer: WIN WLP ? Bullet Diameter: - .475"
Case: STAR ? Max Case Length: 1.285" ? Trim Length: 1.275"

Powder: Accurate ? 5744?.

Bullet weight: 325 grains.
Low load: 21.0 grains (1000 ? 1075 Ft/p/sec)
Maximum load: 26.0 grains (1300 ? 1400 Ft/p/sec) Full case.

Bullet weight: 360-370 grains.
Low load: 18.0 grains (945 ? 975 Ft/p/sec)
Maximum load: 23.0 grains (1200 ? 1275 Ft/p/sec) Full case.

Bullet weight: 390-400 grains.
Low load: 17.0 grains (875 ? 925 Ft/p/sec)
Maximum load: 21.5 grains (1125 ? 1175 Ft/p/sec) Full case.

Bullet weight: 425 grains.
Low load: 14.5 grains (820 ? 860 Ft/p/sec)
Maximum load: 18.0 grains (975 ? 1025 Ft/p/sec) Full case.

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#202906 - 10/26/19 11:33 AM

Re: Powder & Primers for 480? [Re: Mr. Bisley]

cherokeetracker
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Registered: 11/27/15
Posts: 684

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Glad you got that SRH back. The 480 is a great caliber, and good luck with the loads and your hunt.
Using Lil Gun if you are "hunting only" should not be too bad. I would not want to use it to practice with all the time.
The steel that Ruger uses is mighty tough too. So I would not be too fearful over throat erosion, my concern would be the forcing cone. Might look at it with magnification, and keep a close eye on it.
Again good luck on a Hunt.

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#202919 - 10/26/19 11:30 PM

Re: Powder & Primers for 480? [Re: reflex264]

nomosendero
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Registered: 04/13/09
Posts: 56
Loc: AR

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Originally Posted By: reflex264

That looks like a great bullet, should do for anything I would suspect.

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#202920 - 10/27/19 12:32 AM

Re: Powder & Primers for 480? [Re: nomosendero]

Bob Roach
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Registered: 03/02/10
Posts: 965
Loc: Missouri Ozarks

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I am another fan of the 375 cast in a 480.
Most of the Magnum Powders seem to work pretty well in a 480.
I probably have loaded more H110, but AA#9, Lil Gun, and Power Pro 300-MP also work well.
I am happy to see you back, and with your trusty Super Redhawk is even better.

Bob R

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