shot my 480 ruger 10" bbl encore today velocity increase from 45-135 over same load in srh 480 i thought i would get more across the board.does anyone know if you get more of an increase over a revolver as you approach max loads for a given caliber revolver bbl-7-1/2"-encore 10" but really only 8" less chamber.

475/480,

If you stick with factory equivalent loads, you are right about on the money for velocity increase. I have seen velocities increase more toward your 130 fps level then just 45 fps but strange things always happen in our sport.

I do not have any experience with the 480 in the Encore but do in the SRH, so I can not say what level of increased velocity you can achieve.

What I can report is how my Encore chambered in the 50 A.E. performed.

With the Speer factory loaded 325 gr Uni-Core HP, my 15" Encore averaged 1535 fps, compared to 1380 for a 6" D.E.

Granted this is 15" compared to a 10" pipe but it comes out to about the same increase in velocity.

When handloading my 50 A.E. Encore, since it is a single shot, there is no problem with seating the bullet out as far as the throat will allow.

I can seat the 325 gr Speer HP almost a ful .250" longer from the Encore, which in a .500" bore, allows alot more powder.

Also, since the Encore will easily handle 65,000 psi from a standard magnum case head, one is not limited to traditional handgun pressure levels.

I started at max listed loads and increased .25 gr at a time until I reached a load of 38.0 gr H-110 under the 325 gr bullet. This was good for 1945 fps. Only problem was that recoil was so quick that my trigger finger would actually open the action occasionally during recoil, not a good thing.

I lowered my load to 36.0 gr of H-110 which gets 1850 fps with right at 1" groups at 100 yards.

My point here is that the Encore will easily handle even HOT 475 Line. loads so a hot loaded 480 will not be a problem. It would be like firing a long loaded souped up 45 Colt out of a five shot revolver. It will easily match the 454 performance.

One trick I have found, especially with LBT designed bullets with gas checks is to clean out the lube groove closest to the crimping groove and use it for the crimp. This will usually allow at least a full .100" longer overall length and sometimes more.

What this does, if the throat will allow it, is positions the bullet closer to the rifling and increases case capacity. These two steps will usually improve accuracy and increase velocity to a very high level.

With my 50 A.E., I was able to load "Encore Specific" 50 A.E. loads that provided well over 300 fps increase over factory spec loads.

I will not say that the 480 will be able to drive a 325 gr bullet to +1800 fps but I will say that it can be loaded up to be the full equal to the 475 Linebaugh out of the Encore.

The load data will be different but the velocity and performance will be the same.

Remember though that if you do make +P+ load for your Encore, they must never make it into your SRH or there will be a big problem. Some feel this isn't worth the risk, I don't have a problem keeping ammo seperated and when I let others shoot my firearms, I give them the ammo to shot, I do not let them grab their own out of the ammo locker.

One other note, I have a 10" Encore barrel chambered for the 454 and with max loads, using bullets heavier then 300 gr up to 395 gr, this is the only big bore I own that actually hurts my hand to shoot, with +P+ loads in a 480 with heavy bullets, you may find the same thing. I shoot open sights with my 454 so it is a very light and very powerful handgun, recoil is worse then any 45-70 I have shot in the Contender. Only thing I have shot that kicked harder was an Encore chambered in the 450 Marlin with max handloads.

I know this isn't exactly the info you wanted but hope it helps in some way.

Good Shooting!!!

50

thanks fiftydriver,i will load the 480 out a little ways ,even though i do have a 475linebaugh that fits the chamber, emailed t/c they said they had not tested the 475linebaugh in it so could not recommend doing the 475 ,but i will at some point slowly at first . i cant wait to get my 475gnr barrel from gary reeder