I've been gearing up to load for my SRH in .480 Ruger. I've modest experience reloading in .45 acp and .44 Remington Magnum. While I've been able to get a number of loads from printed sources (e.g. Speers #13 and Lyman #48) as well as online sources, including this forum, I am somewhat at a loss for where to start. I've read avidly all the threads I've been able to locate on this forum and the Ruger forum about loading this round.

I'm using a Dillon 550B with Hornady Dies; the seating die also crimps. Is this an "ok" set-up? If not, what separate crimping die should I get? (Lee doesn't make a factory crimp die for the .480 that I'm aware of.)

I've got a small supply of Speer Gold Dot 325 gr bullets and Hornady XTP's in 400 grains. Also have new Hornady brass.

What I can't decide is what powder to use or which bullet to start with. I guess I want the "best of all worlds" where the powder is clean burning, gives excellent accuracy, meters consistently, and provides for manageable recoil. (I also shoot .454 Casull and .44 magnum, so am not averse to normal recoil in these kinds of handguns.)

I am NOT looking for maximum velocity/pressure. Shooting Hornady factory loads (325 grains) I still get some case sticking in my Ruger.

Any thoughts/advice will be much appreciated. TIA.

Hunter20ga

Go to the favorite loads forum, and search for my thread on 480 loads. Make sure the calender setting is for all posts.

I've only shot one cylinder full of factory loads, and they were slightly sticky through my gun. Other then those, all my loads have been cast bullets.

If you are looking for full patch loads, I've found H-110 to work well with 390 gr and heavier bullets. 21 gr over a 390-400 gr cast bullet will provide 1200 fps from a 7 1/2" barrel, and has been very accurate. I've shot 310, 320 and 330 gr cast over 9.7 gr unique for 950-1000 fps and very accurate mild recoiling loads. I would think this load would work good with the 325 gr jacketed bullets.

I'm suprised your Hornady dies are only a three die set, my hornady dies were a 4 die set, with seperate seater and crimper. That said, I've never had a problem with combined seater/crimpers in other calibers. I also haven't found the need for massive crimps in the 480.

Check the post I referenced, and if you have any questions, post here, pm, e-mail etc. I'm a huge fan of the 480. It has been very easy to load for, very accurate, and just plain fun.

Thanks, Paul...I've copied that thread and printed out the loads.

I forgot to add that I'm currently target shooting with the .480...overkill for paper, I guess! But may use it for hunting at some point in the future.

The Hornady set I got is a four die set; one die for resizing/depriming, one for powder, one for belling the case and a combo seating/crimping. If I'm wrong, it won't be the first time! (That's why I double and triple check stuff...)

I guess they make a special set for progressive sets. My set has sizing, belling, seating and crimping. No offense meant, but I wonder if you might be confusing the crimp die with a powder die?

I tried to find a target load with the 325's using Unique. I ended up on the 9.7 gr charge after trieing 9, 9.5 and 10 gr, then fine tuning to 9.7 for the best accuracy. I'd try 9.5, 9.7 and 10 gr and see which shoots best. With a scope and rest, my gun will shoot better than I can. I think with practice I could print a 5 shot 1 1/2" group at 100 yds.

yep...you're probably right...that is a crimping die I'd bet, not a powder die. Can you believe I haven't blown myself or a gun up yet?!? Oh, well, live and learn.