480 Ruger loads using Lee 400gr hardcast Boolit

[Charlie U.]

I have questions about making loads for the 480Ruger. I am casting 400gr. slugs from lee molds. The bullet has two crimp bands. The load data I have found for this bullet fails to mention which crimp groove to use. Does it matter? Have any of you played around with the variables between the two crimp lines on the Lee 400gr. bullet?


Is it simply a matter of pressure/internal case volume, or is the additional leade before the cylinder gap going to have an impact on accuracy?

The first crimp groove will give me an overall cartridge length of 1.1660 while using the second crimp line puts my OCL around 1.772.
Which will be better for use in the SRH....the short or tall option? (both will fit into the cylinder of the super redhawk)



Thanks,

 

[Tellico]

The two crimp grooves allow the bullet to be used in various length cylinders. I always use the long OAL as long as it will fit the cyl. That gives more room for powder. Within safe loading range of course. Most data gives the AOL that was used for testing and if you go shorter with the same bullet you would need to reduce the charge to stay at the given pressure.

 

[bigboredad]

I was running out of lube when I loaded long so switched to loading short and using the crimp groove for a lube groove. It didn't help so I went with a different style bullet from a different mold.

 

[contender]

I have the same mold. However, I haven't tried the two different crimp grooves. So far, my loads seem to do just fine using the deeper seating crimp groove.

 

[tek4260]

I used the longer seating in mine along with book max loads with H110. I could have used the shorter oal with the same charge, or upped the charge to fill the case seated long, but those thin chamber walls scared me too much to push the issue.

I didn't have any leading, but I used the Lyman Super Moly at the time. From my experience it is an excellent lube though it lacks the "ooh ahh" cool factor of using something like LBT Blue or other exotic lube.

But, those Lee boolits have tiny little lube grooves so leading from lack of lube is always a concern. When I shot them in my 475 Linebaugh, I went ahead and gave them a tumble in Alox in addition to the Super Moly just for insurance. Seems to work fine. I have never cleaned the barrel on my 475 and have no leading that I can see.