I am thinking of making SWC Keith style for Ruger 480 and would need input from experienced shooters and hunters. Somebody would ask why SWC, why not LBT. Well. According to several sources, one of them is article "Real Keith Sixgun Bullets" written by Brian Pearce (Handloader/August 2002), SWC is better choice for accuracy at 1200 fps or less, than LBT, where later one is better suited for top loads. And according to very credible folks, long time handgun hunters, 45-475 cal 320-350 grains at 1100-1200 fps is more than enough for anything that should be hunted with handgun, in my case wild boars, without punishing recoil and muzzle blast. I made some calculations and looks like that from same handgun weight and configuration, recoil with 250 gr at 1400 fps from 44 magnum should be similar as 352 gr at 1180 fps from 480. There are several sources for good LBT bullets, but I am not aware of any for SWC in 475 cal.

I had done preliminary design and here is my proposal:

Weight: 352 gr
Meplat dia.: .360"
Crimp to meplat: .490"
OAL: .850"

As a reference, I used Lyman 429421 and RCBS 44-250-K, scaled up 3-dimensionaly in order to preserve true proportions and ended up with noted dimensions. Of course, I made minor dimensional adjustments, especially making front driving band almost .150" wide for better alignment as on LBT. As for weight, I consider 352 gr (in WW) as a minimum weight. For the first mould we will take existing 38 and bore it on the late to get true concentricity. As for the mould diameter, idea was to have sized bullet .476" dia, and to get it out of mould .4765"-.4770", I added .002" for shrinkage, total main mould dia. .479". Any opinion or suggestion is greatly appreciated. Thanks, Onty (e-mail; ibcdiesel@netscape.net).

mountainmolds.com has keith moulds a little lighter than yours,i ordered one at 325 gr.looks like you have a good idea ,go for it on your own always something to be learned,keep us posted on progress.

I take exception to the "experts" statements on accuracy and bullet designs based on my personal experience. My 310 gr LFN will consistantly put 5 into 1" at 50 yds, and I even managed a 3 shot 100 yd group of 1 1/2", and this at the lowly velocity of 950 fps.

The experts say that WFN's won't shoot unless driven 1200 fps, but I drive my 460 gr, a long bullet, 1050 fps, and it'll print 1" @ 50 if I do my part. A fellow 480 shooter has used that bullet at longer ranges, and he says it starts to fly wild past 175 yds, but I personally can't see using that bullet on game past 75 yds. He's also tested the 310 gr at very long ranges, and says it flys quite nicely.

I have tested NEI's swc, which is really closer to a WFN in both the 435 gr 2 lube groove configuration, and in a 335 gr 1 lube groove configuration, and it's an accurate bullet as well.

I'd keep the crimp to meplat at .37" to make the bullet compatible with 475's. It also has the added benefit of taking up more case capacity, which IMHO is a good thing for medium range 480 loads. I've used a 390 LFN and 400 gr Lee crimped long, but didn't see any improvement, just took a bit more powder to get the same velocity. I also found that the long loaded bullets didn't always chamber smoothly.

Here is a link to the thread on my load data for the 480 http://www.serveroptions.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=25;t=000222

[ 01-21-2003, 23:04: Message edited by: Paul H ]

Thanks on replies and valuable input. I especially agree with benefits of reduced space for less than maximum loads. One of advantages with SWC design in mould making on lathe is simple manufacturing procedure and simple cutting tools; just one 7/16" 4-flute end mill modified to .410"dia and with conical nose aprox. 7� angle to .360" dia, and simple grooving tool for lathe. No complex CNC machining required for curved nose. And I admit, I like to experiment. As for reduced powder space, I also have an idea. First, I have to confess that I am "incurable case modifier": making lately 455 Webley from 45 LC, 45-90 from 45-70 and 50-110 from 348W. Anyhow, initial idea was to make five-shot Bisley and chamber it in 480 Special. This will allow me to have standard 480 Ruger OAL even for long nose SWC, and slower burning powders like 2400, 110/296 or even H4227 could be used for moderate loads. I would love to make a good load using H4227 because it is temperature insensitive; a BIG plus, in my opinion, for any hunting round. And, if for any reason my little experiment fails miserably, 1/8" deeper with reamer will get me in proven 480 Ruger territory. Regards.

You're not original on the thinking of a 48 special I've been planning on making one to put my 480 cases that have split necks to use. My plan is to bore out a 45 colt or 44 mag blackhawk, and cut the cylinder shorter to allow a max cartridge of 1.5" OAL, 1.1" case, .40" meplat. I'd plan to load to no higher then 25 kpsi, I just want a little plinker gun. Unfortunately I still don't have my lathe, nor a candidate gun, but one of these days.

Just wanted to add that H4227 is a good powder to fill the big case like the 480 Ruger or 475 Linebaugh because it does not generate the ferocious recoil like H110 does. However, it does have a down side, as it has tendency to leave some unburned granules behind. Have fun.

one other downside to h4227 compared to h110-296 you dont get top end velocity either which is where the recoil comes from.