I've been tinkering with loads for the 460 S&W. I've got load data from Accurate and Hodgdon/IMR/Winchester but none of them have light bullet loads.
I'd like to send a few 185 grain XTPs and TMJ through the Encore but can't find any load data on these bullets.

I have data for the 200 grain Barnes showing 45 to 46.5 gr of H110 running from 38,500 psi to 42,900 psi.

Hodgdon lists 225 grain Barnes loads ranging from 39.0 to 42.0 of H110 showing pressures of 39,400 to 51,800 psi.

SAAMI maximum pressure is 63,000 psi so there should be a comfy middle ground with the lighter bulets.
I'm an experienced reloader but never tried to develop a load from scratch.

Looking at the 454 Casull (same diameter but shorter 1.383" case vs 1.8" for the 460) I see 225 grain loads running from 35.0 to 37.0 of H110 but no pressure data.
Strangely enough, the book lists the same 35 to 37 load of H110 for the 260 grain bullet.

Where's a good place to start? This is a far cry from dumping 8 grains of Universal for my 45 LC.

Load to the MAX !. Isn't that why you bought a cannon ?.

I don't own nor want to own one of those , so I can't help on data . Best of Luck .

Shoot Straight Know Your Target . ...

feets, if you're an experienced reloader you should be able to extrapolate the data. Take know published loads for the 240gr & 300gr Hornady bullets and use it as a baseline. Do the same for starting loads as you would max loads and you'll have your answer.

I've extrapolated lots of data for the S&W 500 the past few years to where I can load anything from 223gr to 500gr, and higher if needed, in jacketed bullets but I haven't tried the .460, yet. For now I've just been loading standard weight magnum bullets since you can't push standard bullets as fast as those designed for the .460S&W. If you just want them for plinking use Trailboss.

You should also know that you cannot use data for Barnes solid bullets as a substitute. They are longer and have a much longer bearing surface providing a much different OAL. In my experience their data is normally reserved for their bullets.

I've built lots of loads for my target rifle (300WM) and fiddled around with my 45 LC and other calibers.

I've never tried coming up with a load on my own.

I've got a bunch of 185 XTPs and thought I'd have a little fun with 'em in the 460.

I can do the math but get kinda paranoid about breaking things like my gun and body parts.

quote:

Originally posted by feets:
I've been tinkering with loads for the 460 S&W. I've got load data from Accurate and Hodgdon/IMR/Winchester but none of them have light bullet loads.

Hey Feets, If you have not called them, that is a great place to start. The folks that make the Powders have always been a great bunch of folks to discuss any new cartridge or new bullet weight with.

quote:

I'd like to send a few 185 grain XTPs and TMJ through the Encore but can't find any load data on these bullets.

I have data for the 200 grain Barnes showing 45 to 46.5 gr of H110 running from 38,500 psi to 42,900 psi.

Hodgdon lists 225 grain Barnes loads ranging from 39.0 to 42.0 of H110 showing pressures of 39,400 to 51,800 psi.

SAAMI maximum pressure is 63,000 psi so there should be a comfy middle ground with the lighter bulets.

If it were me, I'd probably start with a Single Base Powder(like "2400") rather than a Double Base Powder(like H110). The Single Base Powders have always been easier to ignite for me. And the Double Base Powders seem to be at their best in Safe MAX conditions.

quote:

I'm an experienced reloader but never tried to develop a load from scratch.

...Where's a good place to start? This is a far cry from dumping 8 grains of Universal for my 45 LC.

I'd also use good old, never fail, time proven CHE & PRE. I'd begin by shooting 10 Factory Cartridges and establish a PRE Benchmark Pressure. CHE might not work at the low Pressures I intend for Reduced Loads, so I would concentrate on the PRE values.

Then I'd pull the Bullets from 10 more Factory Cartridges, dump the Powder and load a Test series using the never improved upon Creighton Audette Load Development Method and check the PRE on each Cartridge as the Test progressed.

By doing that, "I" would know I've not exceeded the Peak Pressure found in the Factory Loads. Then when I know what is SAFE, I would load 3-20(whatever number you desire) at or below the Loads I Tested and shoot them on a single Target. And repeat for various Load increments.

If things go well with the Creighton Audette Testing, it will show where the best Harmonic Nodes are located and I'd focus my Verification Loads around those Clusters.

But, I would start with a call to the Powder Manufacturers and see which Powder they would choose and why.

Best of luck to you.