Just wondering if anyone has anything chambered in 480 Ruger and if they like it. I know about obscurity and folks questioning the future of the round, but I saw a BFR the other day and the damned thing spoke to me. All opinions appreciated. Will be used for hunting. Thanks.
480 Ruger- Would You?
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Loosedhorse
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I have a revolver chambered in the ".480 Magnum," aka the .475 Linebaugh.
It's tough: the .480 ammo supplies have just about dried up. If you don't reload, you are much better served by a .44 Magnum or .45 Colt "+P" revolver.
If for some reason YOU MUST have more power than that, .460 and .500 S&W Magnums offer that (in much bigger revolvers).
I personally think the .475 hits a sweet spot, just like the .41 Magnum. That would make the .480 the .41 Special. Could be lots of fun, but popularity won't be among its advantages. Note that you could have someone rebore the .480 cylinder to .475 cartridge length, but the .475 is rated to 50,000psi, not 48,000.
It's tough: the .480 ammo supplies have just about dried up. If you don't reload, you are much better served by a .44 Magnum or .45 Colt "+P" revolver.
If for some reason YOU MUST have more power than that, .460 and .500 S&W Magnums offer that (in much bigger revolvers).
I personally think the .475 hits a sweet spot, just like the .41 Magnum. That would make the .480 the .41 Special. Could be lots of fun, but popularity won't be among its advantages. Note that you could have someone rebore the .480 cylinder to .475 cartridge length, but the .475 is rated to 50,000psi, not 48,000.
98Redline
Member
The .480 is a great round and properly loaded will do just about anything that the .475 Linebaugh will do. Not taking anything away for the 475L just that the .480 can push the same bullet only about 100fps slower. Top end .480 loads are more than up to the task for anything on 4 continents and most of what walks on the 5th.
There is information from some of the Linebaugh seminars that shows the penetration from a .480 Ruger to be on par with the .475 L even with the lower muzzle velocity.
All of that being said, unless you are a handloader there will be very little in the way of ammo selection that will not break the bank, and no hope of finding commercial ammunition on a store shelf anywhere.
Regarding the .480 BFR, I believe that the .480 Ruger BFRs are also set up for .475 Linebaugh as well. I have seen a number of brokers on Auction Arms and Gunbroker talking about a .480 BFR but in actuality it is a .457L/.480R model.
There is information from some of the Linebaugh seminars that shows the penetration from a .480 Ruger to be on par with the .475 L even with the lower muzzle velocity.
All of that being said, unless you are a handloader there will be very little in the way of ammo selection that will not break the bank, and no hope of finding commercial ammunition on a store shelf anywhere.
Regarding the .480 BFR, I believe that the .480 Ruger BFRs are also set up for .475 Linebaugh as well. I have seen a number of brokers on Auction Arms and Gunbroker talking about a .480 BFR but in actuality it is a .457L/.480R model.
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
^^^ What he said!
The .480 is a wonderful, underrated cartridge.
The .480 is a wonderful, underrated cartridge.
The shorter cartridge is easier to load with lighter bullets. It doesn't do as well as the .475 L with heavier bullets.
While I have guns that shoot heavier bullets, I find the 275-400 grain range PLENTY for anything but brown bear, if I was so inclined. The .480 is great
with bullets in the 350 grain range, and, do you really need anything more in
the 48?
That said, since they both fit in the same cylinder, why not go with the .475 Linebaugh, and shoot the .480's in it if you want?
While I have guns that shoot heavier bullets, I find the 275-400 grain range PLENTY for anything but brown bear, if I was so inclined. The .480 is great
with bullets in the 350 grain range, and, do you really need anything more in
the 48?
That said, since they both fit in the same cylinder, why not go with the .475 Linebaugh, and shoot the .480's in it if you want?
I got the 9.5" SRH 480 and the BFR 475/480....I've been loading and hunting with mine several years now and its a fine shooting load and the best Hunting Handgun ever IMO. It is without a doubt the most managable of the big calibers to shoot and as bad I hate sayin it...t seems to be going the way of the White Buffalo... I got a lot of brass but I expect I will have to make my own bullets for it one of these days. Some bullet makers are already stop production of the round...Oh well I always have my old friend the 44mag which I shoot more than anything anyway....
I already have .41 and. 44 covered, but nothing bigger. I have always wanted a big bore in SA, and the 480 I saw is a screaming buy. Fortunately money is not an issue, but do I really need another caliber? 
In the mid-south we don't see anything scarier than 200 lb hog. I guess what I am getting at is if u saw one hell of a deal in a caliber you didn't need, but you could use, would you get into it?
In the mid-south we don't see anything scarier than 200 lb hog. I guess what I am getting at is if u saw one hell of a deal in a caliber you didn't need, but you could use, would you get into it?Owen Sparks
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The .480 Ruger will do anything that the .44 Magnum will do with 100 extra grains of lead. The problem is a lack of firearms chambered in this round. Where it really shines is in a lever action carbine.
mes227
Member
I have a Super Redhawk in .480 Ruger. Great platform, great caliber. Ammo is tricky and pricey unless you reload, then it's not a problem.
"... I guess what I am getting at is if u saw one hell of a deal in a caliber you didn't need, but you could use, would you get into it?"
Let's see. I ended up with a .45/454 Linebaugh/Seville, 2 freedom arms, .475 and .500JRH, and a .500 Linebaugh Max Ruger due to just such circumstances.
So my answer is yes, resoundingly. I'd actually cut out the 'could use' part of the equation, and you'd have me....
Let's see. I ended up with a .45/454 Linebaugh/Seville, 2 freedom arms, .475 and .500JRH, and a .500 Linebaugh Max Ruger due to just such circumstances.
So my answer is yes, resoundingly. I'd actually cut out the 'could use' part of the equation, and you'd have me....
If they would make a 5-shot .480 Bisley from the factory, I would buy it. In my mind, the advantage that most Linebaughs enjoy is that they are in customs with extra-long cylinders. If you had the same cylinder length, I bet you could get them to do nearly the same thing if you had appropriate cast bullet molds. For a given bullet weight, with a .475 you would just have more bullet inside the case and for the .480, a longer nose/less bullet in the case. Ought to end up with about the same amount of powder space within the case.
Lucas_Y
Member
Sounds like you already made up your mind to me.
If I find a gun that for some reason I find myself smitten with, I usually bring it home with me.
I would jump on a BFR in a second. Only one I saw around here was in .475 Linebaugh, used, for a grand. That's in 10 years of looking.
The .475 and .480 fit in the same length cylinder. Pretty much the same situation as using .45 Colt in .454's.
The .475 and .480 fit in the same length cylinder. Pretty much the same situation as using .45 Colt in .454's.
mes227
Member
Absolutely!! That's pretty much how I got my .480 Ruger, .454 Casull and .41 Mag. Those are now high on my list of favorite calibers.
I Know its been a couple of weeks, but of course I ended up getting a jt prefix 7.5 inch new BFR which shows completion date of late 2001. It is new and has been sitting in the shop for close to a decade :0. OTD was $539 +$10 for background. Not bad for 2012 dollars which are buying less every week.
Thanks to those of you who stood up for the many benefits of the cartridge and made the decision easy for me. Really looking forward to shooting this hoss, it should be fun.
Thanks to those of you who stood up for the many benefits of the cartridge and made the decision easy for me. Really looking forward to shooting this hoss, it should be fun.
Loosedhorse
member
Not bad at all. Remember to report back.
??? Did Magnum Research ever do a 8" barrel on these things? Box says 7.5( number matches to revo) but the tape measure says 8" and my 7.5" Redhawk is a half inch short in comparison. Thought it was long in the gun shop, but forgot about it until I just looked at it. Any thoughts?
22-rimfire
Member
I like the 480 Ruger when I need something "bigger" than a 41 mag.
Thanks for all of the input. I did call Magnum Research today and Sales told me that I could buy a .475 cylinder for $199 (have to send in revo though) and $40 for shipping. (Model I bought was .480 only) Don't think I will do this right away, but it is a nice option to have should I really want it. Will report soon.
I imagine if you set OAL at the same as the .475 Linebaugh the powder capacity would be the same. Only problem might be getting bullets with the crimp grove in the right place, cheap. I suspect there are a lot more .475 molds
then .480 molds. Don't know for sure.
At one time .475 Hornady factory ammo was cheaper then .44 Magnum.
That was a 400 grain XTP at 1300-1350 fps, depending on your barrel.
then .480 molds. Don't know for sure.
At one time .475 Hornady factory ammo was cheaper then .44 Magnum.
That was a 400 grain XTP at 1300-1350 fps, depending on your barrel.
Steel185
Member
i know this thread is a tad old, but i just had to, not many 480 threads out there. I have a SRH in Ruger 480 and a Puma M92 in Ruger 480. I love them both. This fall i got a Elk Cow at 70 yds with the puma using iron sights. For the Elk i used a Hornady 325gr XTP and dropped the cow with one shot. I'm working on a load to hunt with the pistol this coming fall.
If you reload it isn't that expensive, primers are large pistol, power (tons to choose from) and bullets you can use Ruger 480 or Linbaugh (same .475 bullet)so there are also several to choose from. The velocity is low enough you can easily cast with Wheel weights and have great bullets, again lots of molds out there to choose from. The only thing is the brass. I just keep an eye out for them on clearance and get a box here and there. But once you have 200-300 rounds do you really need more? Being a revolver you don't loose that much, and lever action it might loose more but not that bad. Worst case you could buy some linebaugh brass and shave some off.
I love the round and I'm proud to shoot it, every time I'm at the range someone always wants to shoot it, so usually load 2-3 extra rounds just to educate other revolver lovers in my area. sure there are more "powerful" rounds and there always will be no matter what you have, the question is, does it do what you need it to? for me the 480 does it, and I have fun doing it. what else is there?
If you reload it isn't that expensive, primers are large pistol, power (tons to choose from) and bullets you can use Ruger 480 or Linbaugh (same .475 bullet)so there are also several to choose from. The velocity is low enough you can easily cast with Wheel weights and have great bullets, again lots of molds out there to choose from. The only thing is the brass. I just keep an eye out for them on clearance and get a box here and there. But once you have 200-300 rounds do you really need more? Being a revolver you don't loose that much, and lever action it might loose more but not that bad. Worst case you could buy some linebaugh brass and shave some off.
I love the round and I'm proud to shoot it, every time I'm at the range someone always wants to shoot it, so usually load 2-3 extra rounds just to educate other revolver lovers in my area. sure there are more "powerful" rounds and there always will be no matter what you have, the question is, does it do what you need it to? for me the 480 does it, and I have fun doing it. what else is there?
shootniron
Member
Boy, can I ever indentify with that statement.
I say, bring it on home...you won't regret it.
Viper225
Member
I have a pair of Super RedHawks in both 7.5 and 9.5" barrel lengths.
I have a reloader, a couple bullet molds, and around 500 pieces of brass. That should hold me the rest of my life.
I have the 9.5" set up with a 30mm UltraDot sight. Both have Hogue Tamer Grips as well as Marble Green Fiber Optic Front Sights.
Mine shoots 400 grain Lead Wide Flat Nose bullets very well.
This last deer season I filled my Antlerless Only Tag with a large Doe, and my Anydeer Tag with an 11 Point Buck. Both taken from a Tree Stand at 55 thru 60 yards in the woods.
I really like the 480 Ruger cartridge as well as the Super RedHawk. The Super as large as I want a Hunting Revolver to be. In my opinion an X Frame is just too big. The 480 Ruger has just the right amount of power for whatever I will be hunting.
I also have a reduced power Unique load for plinking and armodillows etc, as well as a Shot Shell Load for snakes. Very Versatile
Bob
I have a reloader, a couple bullet molds, and around 500 pieces of brass. That should hold me the rest of my life.
I have the 9.5" set up with a 30mm UltraDot sight. Both have Hogue Tamer Grips as well as Marble Green Fiber Optic Front Sights.
Mine shoots 400 grain Lead Wide Flat Nose bullets very well.
This last deer season I filled my Antlerless Only Tag with a large Doe, and my Anydeer Tag with an 11 Point Buck. Both taken from a Tree Stand at 55 thru 60 yards in the woods.
I really like the 480 Ruger cartridge as well as the Super RedHawk. The Super as large as I want a Hunting Revolver to be. In my opinion an X Frame is just too big. The 480 Ruger has just the right amount of power for whatever I will be hunting.
I also have a reduced power Unique load for plinking and armodillows etc, as well as a Shot Shell Load for snakes. Very Versatile
Bob
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