Hi - this is my first post. I am learning a lot from you guys.

I'm interested in hand loading a self defense load against humans, for a .480 Ruger Alaskan. I want low recoil, minimal over-penetration and very good expansion. The XPB looks like a good choice. In manufactured ammo I can get a Federal load at 1113 fps or a Corbon +P type load at 1550 (!!) fps (long barrel, both loads). I understand this bullet expands well at velocities as low as 700 fps, so I don't need or desire the "avalanche starting" load from Corbon.

Can anyone direct me to some Barnes reloading data for the 275 gr XPB for the .480? I don't have a Barnes manual. I have read that these soldi copper bullets don't use the same loading specs as similar jacketed ones. Or should I just buy the Federal pre-made stuff for close to $2 each? I don't anticipate shooting very many, and the cost of working up a good load could be substantial.

I plan to carry 400 gr hard cast handloads for moose/ bear. I would like an alternative that won't penetrate so deep for when the large animals aren't a threat. Any comments on this bullet over, say, a 325 gr Hornady XTP or Speer Gold Dot 275 gr JHP, which are much cheaper?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

After that, all I need is the gun ... I'm still waiting.

John Davies
Spokane WA

Just make sure your personal defense loads are factory ammo.

Never use reloads for this.

quote:

Just make sure your personal defense loads are factory ammo.

Never use reloads for this.

Can you supply some reasoning for this bald and rather unhelpful statement? If you are referring to potential legal issues in using handloads against a human, that's a personal decision each reloader has to make. I have reloaded for decades and my stuff is every bit as reliable as factory ammo. I've had some minor issues with feeding and stovepipes in my Glock, but never a dud.

I don't want to shoot loads calibrated for a 9.5 inch barrel out of a 2.5 inch barrel! The Alaskan is begging for specialized, lower muzzle-blast loads using different powders. I haven't run across any such loads yet, but I am sure we will start seeing them. The only serious downside for me is initial bullet cost to work up the loads - that's why I am hoping someone with an Alaskan will do this first and post his results .

John Davies
Spokane WA

Yes simply for legal reasons. I got it out of a concealed carry book I read.

The reasoning is that you will be accused of reloading the ammo to test on someone.

The book was called the concealed carry guidebook or something like that.

Some of my handguns have only fired reloads and I consider them as reliable as any factory load. But I keep factory ammo in my defense pistols.

I had to take liability classes while employed in a LE position and since retiring for my ccw certification.The emphasis always was on using factory ammo .If you shoot a perp rest assured you'll be sued and your weapon will be confiscated for the prosection and defense to test your ammo that you used, it will be one less hundle by using using factory ammo.If you use handloads you'll be accused of using killer bullets.I can handload lots of ammo that will out perform factory rounds but I never load it in any of my carry weapons.

If I were you, I would just use some of the Speer gold-dot factory 275gr loads and call it good---2MG

Well, that is certainly something to think about. So if I shot some camp interloper with a grizzly load, I would be in the same boat, right? Maybe it is best to just use the factory stuff. GETTING back to the initial question...

I emailed Barnes and was told the 275 gr XPB requires 1000 fps for reliable expansion. I guess the bigger bullet is built tougher than the smaller calibers. I was in ERROR about the velocity of the Federal load - I misread the ballistcs table. The fps is 1350, not 1113 (which is the muzzle energy.)

So it looks as if the Federal load would be fine in the Alaskan, with easier recoil than the hot CorBon load.

Here's the XPB loading data (such as it is) for the 480 direct from Barnes:

480 Ruger, 275 gr XPB, Hornady Case OAL 1.285, Load OAL 1.700, WLP primer, 7.5 inch barrel

H110 Start 22.0 gr/ 1031 fps MAX 26.0 gr/ 1400 fps

John Davies
Spokane WA