Ruger .480

[41 man]

I am being offered a Redhawk in Ruger .480. I know nothing of this cartridge as I have been a 41 Mag guy for years. Anybody have any Pro's or Con's?

 

[contender]

Welcome to the Forum!
Well, as the proud owner of a Ruger 480, I can say it's a good gun. However, personal choices are always the final decision makers.
How are you going to use it? Hunting, plinking, target shooting, impressing your buddies? It's a powerful handgun, and is an excellent hunting sidearm for big game.
Serious shooters who own one will reload. Factory ammo not as readily available as some types, (kinda like the 41 mag) but it easily shines with good reloads.
If the price is fair, I'd say buy it!

 

[41 man]

I reload everything I shoot (except, of course, rimfire). I have had great success in my 41 with Lasercast bullets. Have you found a good powder and cast bullet for "mid range" loads?

 

[Bear Paw Jack]

I don't see any real cons to the 480 at all. Fact is I'm waiting for one to come my way. Like Contender says depends on what you are going to use it for. May be more than a lot of people "need" but then what does need have to do with fun??

 

[5of7]

I reload everything I shoot (except, of course, rimfire). I have had great success in my 41 with Lasercast bullets. Have you found a good powder and cast bullet for "mid range" loads?

I have been shooting a 355 gr. cast flat point bullet over 25.5 grs. of 4227 for an average velocity of 1200 fps.

Recoil is brisk, but manageable and accuracy is really surprisingly good. No serious leading problems even with a plain base bullet if the bullet matches throat diameter or is + .0005.

 

[Bucks Owin]

Maybe "someday" Ruger will clue in and offer the .480 in a SA platform too. I think it would boost sales of factory ammo big time if they did...
But until then, "ho hum, yawn" on a .480 joining my sixguns...

ATTENTION RUGER!!! Think 5 shot SBH!!! :x

 

[contender]

If you've been reloading then you'll be fine. As always,, different guns prefer different things. I cast a 400 grn SWC design, and it's a fun thumper to shoot!

 

[41 man]

I also would prefer it in a nice blued SA especially on the lines of the old style (thee screw) Super Blackhawk. My 41 is converted that with SBH brass frame, trigger, hammer. customized colt extraction rod housing (done before they made custom fit housings from steel.

Thank you very much for the information. I also understand that 296 works well in this round?

 

[5of7]

Thank you very much for the information. I also understand that 296 works well in this round?

296 and H110 are two of the very best choices for velocity and Hodgdon has a lot of data featuring both.

http://www.hodgdon.com/

 

[63November]

I shoot 20 grains of 296 with an RCBS cast bullet of 400 grains (specified), 420 actual. It's a fine load in my SA BFR, and isn't badly behaved in a semi-bobbed 5" SRH. 10 grains of Unique makes it really quite pleasant. (I have been a fan of the 41 for close to 30 years myself.)

 

[41 man]

I bought my 4 5/8 SA Ruger in 1970. Have no idea how many 1000's of enjoyable rounds I have put through it

 

[stantheman86]

I almost bought a .480 at a gun show for $400, guy just wanted to unload it..........was very tempted, since I like to play "collector" with the Rugers and it was one of the earlier 6-shot guns, before they changed to 5.

I bought a used 9.5" .44 Mag SRH instead, which I get a lot more use out of as a range gun, since I don't handload and I can get .44 Mag ammo anywhere.

I do want a "thumper" and decided to start saving for a 7.5" .454.......

 

[tek4260]

I almost bought a .480 at a gun show for $400, guy just wanted to unload it..........was very tempted, since I like to play "collector" with the Rugers and it was one of the earlier 6-shot guns, before they changed to 5.

I bought a used 9.5" .44 Mag SRH instead, which I get a lot more use out of as a range gun, since I don't handload and I can get .44 Mag ammo anywhere.

I do want a "thumper" and decided to start saving for a 7.5" .454.......

6 shot before 5 is a Gunbroker myth perpetuated by those with 6 shot Alaskans trying get a premium for them. Actually they are dirty rotten liars