New 48 spl

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blue32

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I've held off buying guns for three years and had saved up a bunch of call-out pay. Picked up a 325 gr. mold beforehand but still waiting for dies and brass to come in. I wanted a big bore fun blaster and I hope the 4 5/8 SBH 480 will do it.

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I've never heard of a .48 Special.
Even did a google search & came up with nothing.
Very curious.

Any links to school me on this caliber would be appreciated.
I realize this question borders on thread hijacking.
Sorry blue32
 
I've never heard of a .48 Special.
Even did a google search & came up with nothing.
Very curious.

Any links to school me on this caliber would be appreciated.
I realize this question borders on thread hijacking.
Sorry blue32

It’s a .480 Ruger...
 
Sorry about confusion. I was thinking along the lines of 38 spl is to 357 like 48 spl is to 475 Linebaugh.
 
Finally got everything together and loaded up 10 rounds each of 10.5, 11.4 gr Unique, and 23.5 gr 2400. I'm using the Accurate 48-325P. Couldn't tell much difference in Unique loads so I'll stick with 11.4 as a light load. The 2400 load also felt plenty for now. Its quite a jump from my previously most powerful handgun being a 357 mag.

I did all shooting at 10 yards and this group humbled me. The rear sight was drifted far right from the factory so I eyed the adjustment but will probably need to move it back over to the right a bit. Still trying to figure out the proper sight picture for elevation. On this target for the 2400 loads I was using a 6 o'clock hold on the bullseye. I gave it a few clicks but ran out of ammo before meaningful testing. I guess fun got in the way. The Unique loads (not shown) grouped 5 shots small enough to be covered with two fingers but were likewise very low. Tried several holds and I definitely prefer the bisley grip over the standard plow although pinky under the grip doesn't work for me on this gun like it does with an Uberti SA.

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One of my biggest concerns was oversized throats. I ordered my mold to drop .479 and was happy when .476 (.4765" out of RCBS sizer) sized bullets required gentle finger pressure to push through. There was a light lead wash in the forcing cone with some minimal leading the length of the barrel. The bullets were cast at 12.4 bhn per excel Alloy Calculator (1:3 Lino to range scrap). Might need a custom .477 sizer in the future, not sure. Overall, a pleasant experience. Looks like 480 has great potential as a cast shooter, and at .144/cartridge minus brass, I'm going to be doing a lot of that. I would buy again.
 
Sorry about confusion. I was thinking along the lines of 38 spl is to 357 like 48 spl is to 475 Linebaugh.
48 Special huh. I have a Ruger SRH in 480 Ruger and a BFR in 475/480. It is a handful in the SRH but more comfortable to shoot in the BFR. I was tempted when Ruger came out with the SBH in 480, but I don't shoot either of these enough to justify another one. The 480 Ruger IS the "special" of the 475 Linebaugh.
 
Don't see much point in loading them real light; a little light, sure. Just shoot another caliber. The 480 Ruger will take any North American game animal. I think it's quite a deer getter if you hunt with a handgun.
 
Don't see much point in loading them real light; a little light, sure. Just shoot another caliber. The 480 Ruger will take any North American game animal. I think it's quite a deer getter if you hunt with a handgun.

That 325gr, 11.4gr Unique load should still be plenty of hammer for deer I'd think.

I'd really like a 500JRH to push big pills at moderate velocity. The big 50, just because I've still got a chit load of boolits, brass and dies I can make work from when I loaded 500mag.
 
I am on the hunt for either a 480 or a 500RH and follow with interest a thread like this.

I have hunted really big game with both calibers and they are very terminally effective. They are both favorites of mine.
 
How different is the felt recoil between the .475 Linebaugh and the .480 Ruger?

Speaking of the ".48 Special", I always thought the .480 Ruger was the "Special" load for the .475 Linebaugh but gey, if the .45 Colt, 454 Casull and .460 S&W Magnum can be shot in one gun why not those three?

It does sound like fun, maybe some W231 under that 325gr bullet at around 900 fps will do the trick.
 
How different is the felt recoil between the .475 Linebaugh and the .480 Ruger?

Speaking of the ".48 Special", I always thought the .480 Ruger was the "Special" load for the .475 Linebaugh but gey, if the .45 Colt, 454 Casull and .460 S&W Magnum can be shot in one gun why not those three?

It does sound like fun, maybe some W231 under that 325gr bullet at around 900 fps will do the trick.

Loaded to spec? The difference is pretty significant.
 
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