Does anyone have any favorite loads for this round?I have some 400gr hardcast bullets from BBT that I want to load for my Ruger with the 7 1/2" barrel.

Yes, and I'd posted them on the favority load forum, but they disapeared after the crash.

Also unfortunately I don't have my loading data with me. As I recall, I used 21-22 gr H110 & CCI 350 primers, for ~1200 fps from 7 1/2" SRH and 1" 50 yd groups. I've shot many of the Lee 400 gr bullets, and some 390 gr LFN LBT's, and both were very accurate with H110. I've found that the 480 SRH goes from accurate to very accurate if you spend the time dialing in loads, varying 1/2 gr can cut groups in 1/2.

If you're looking for a plinker load 6-7 gr unique will produce 600-700 fps, be accurate, and very enjoyable to shoot.

Hodgdon now has 480 Ruger loads on their website:

http://www.hodgdon.com/data/pistol/index.htm

You have to be real careful with H110, they don't recommend loading less than 3% below maximum load. Paul, your loads look to be right in there, depending on which bullet(s) you were using. The unique load sounds about right to me also.

I really like H110 in 44 mag, but don't have a 480 Ruger.

Hope this helps,

Bill

Bill,

Thanks for adding the safety comment about H110, it is certainly a max load only powder. With that in mind, it is a safe powder to use, and has provided me with stellar accuracy. I didn't mention earlier that I've also used 2400, and a buddy used Lil Gun, getting up to 1350 fps w/ 400 gr bullets, which explained why when I watched him shooting those loads it looked like he was shooting a 475 Linebaugh.

I've done extensive load work with the 480, as there simply wasn't any useful published data for cast bullets when I started working with the 480, and I like to experiment. I've tried 310, 320, 335, 390, 400, 435 and 460 gr cast bullets in the 480 using unique, 2400 and H 110.

While I don't recomend this, as there is published data now, I found that if you look at 240-250 gr 44 mag data, it is almost spot on for 310-320 gr 480 loads, and using 300-320 gr 44 data is very close for 390-400 gr 480 loads.

I'll have to go through my notes and post another 480 thread on the favorite loads forum.