Help loading .480 Ruger

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megaton

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Hi all, I recently picked up a Super Redhawk in .480 ruger. This is my first taste of big bore action and I am hooked! I reload (of course) and have located what appears to be good source of lead bullets (gas checked or not) at a decent price. The problem is that there is basically no manufacturer published load data (that I can find) for essentially all of the lead bullets available from this source.

I found only two matches. A 375g WFNGC over Accurate 4100. And a 420g LFNGC over any h110 or lil gun. If it comes down to it I suppose I could limit myself to just these two loads. Id rather have some options though.
There is other data available that are for a bullet 5 or 10 grains off for example data for a 355g bullet and a 345g bullet available. I am guessing that I can probably use the data as a baseline start on the low end and proceed with caution for these loads.

Then there are the 295g and 325g grain cast bullets that I can't seem to find any published data for but would possibly like to use in some ligher loads.

Based on the data available Lil gun looks like a promising powder for this caliber however h110 would double for full house .357mag loads which I also happen to want to start loading. Anytime I can effectively use the same powder for multiple calibers that is a big plus for me.

From the reading that I have done I believe that this gun/caliber combination can do everything that I am looking to do as far as big bore action is concerned. I am looking for some guidance before I make my supply purchase and start loading. I am still fairly new to reloading and haven't loaded anything like this before. Any guidance would be appreciated.
 
You can always use data from a heavier weight bullet if they are similar. Then you work up your loads. Contact mfg of the bullets, most have some data available they will send you.

Now for W296. This is a powder you want to use published data on. You must use a mag primer/heavy crimp and you should stay with in published start to max loads. If only max listed you only drop back 3% not the normal 10%.

I have use W296 for my 357mag since the 70's. When it first came out you were instructed to follow the published data, no min max. After a few years they published min/max and said you could drop back 3% from max if not published min. It is what I use when I want a full house Mag Load.
 
For light loads there's also Trail Boss. As per the manufacturer's instructions, if data is not available for the specific loading you want, do the following:

Figure the volume available in the case with the bullet seated.
Multiply by .7
Start with that much Trail Boss and work up. Do Not Compress Trail Boss.

This will give safe pressures.

Steve
 
Thanks for the replies. I have read that about h110 which is why I am somewhat hesitant to use it. I do want to develop some stout loads but the ability to download some could be nice on the pocket.

Faret thanks for the link and loads. Some good info there.

After some research I have become interested in Lil Gun and 2400. According to the data Lil Gun can push a 370g bullet 1539fps. Sounds like the ultimate bear stopper. The 158g 357 loads look promising as well.

2400 is still capable of producing a load that will remind me I am shooting a big bore but can also be down loaded. Id probably use lighter bullets with 2400 which would save some money.

Im just not sure if I need to be able to down load with this caliber. Its not as though I am going to put 50 rounds down the pipe in a single session. Most likely a cylinder at most once or twice a month.
 
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