Is it worth loading for a 480 Ruger?

[Varminterror]

480 Ruger is one of those cartridges you pretty much have to reload if not cast too.

Not I. Absolutely no motivation to cast just because I shoot 480 and 475, let alone any feeling that I “pretty much have to”.

 

[ShootMeStraight]

Not I. Absolutely no motivation to cast just because I shoot 480 and 475, let alone any feeling that I “pretty much have to”.

I guess if you can find decently priced projectiles.

 

[Dudedog]

MBC has bullets

https://missouribullet.com/results.php?category=5&secondary=38

$53/300

Bigger chunks of lead just cost more than smaller ones.....
I would think it would be nice if you could get them softer than BHN 18 for mild-med loads but 18 worked ok for me a med .45 ACP vels. (my gun did like the BHN 12 ones better there however)

 

[1KPerDay]

My problem is that this gun has probably had 100 rounds put through it in twenty five or thirty years

That makes sense as the 480 Ruger has only been around since 2003

I’d buy the dies and start reloading. Who cares if it’s cheaper or not.

 

[WrongHanded]

My problem is that this gun has probably had 100 rounds put through it in twenty five or thirty years, and may not get that much in the next twenty years.

I think you should objectively assess why you have shot it so little. And make your decision based on that answer.

 

[ballman6711]

As the OP I've been reading all the suggestions and thank everyone for the input. I now apologize in advance for the following long post and delay in responding.

To answer some questions, I bought this gun new before moving overseas in May of 2003. Maybe not 25 or 30 years ago, but my memory isn't what it used to be. I apologize for that. I bought the gun new before moving, so before May 2003. My factory purchased bullets don't have a date, but have a price of $16.95 on the two boxes I have left. Both boxes are twenty rounds of Hornady 325gr.

I used to be an avid hunter and shooter. Hunted every year and shot as much as I could., sometimes 2K or more in a weekend, and I shot at least two weekends a month Multiple calibers, rifle, handgun, and shotgun. Living overseas for five years changed that. Didn't shoot or even see a gun unless I came home and then most of my time was spent with family and not at a range. So I pretty much quit shooting.

Upon moving back to the states, I started shooting again. Opening the safes and gun cabinets (yes, multiple safes and lockable gun cabinets) gave me access to just about anything and any caliber (pistol, revolver, rifle, and shotgun) I would ever want to shoot with the exception of NFA items.

Since coming home I have shot things from folding .22 derringers to a BFR chambered in 45-70, as well as anything in between. The .480 was at the back of one of the safes, all but forgotten, and didn't get pulled out until about two years ago.

I offered the gf the chance to shoot it, and it kept getting put on the back burner. Finally we took it out and shot it. After five rounds she had enough. IIRC I shot ten rounds. Cleaned it and put it away and the few indoor ranges I've been too since wouldn't allow it.

I purchased it because I intended to hunt with it, and that never happened. I won't sell it because (fill in the blank).

Here are a few pics. Note the slight ring on the cylinder. And the serial # can be seen when zooming in if anyone wants to look up the date of mfg.



The gun is in "new" or "nearly new" condition, would probably be rated at 98~99%. I don't know where the key is for the trigger/hammer lock, probably in the original box buried in one of the safes or other "safe" places things were put. That was a long time ago. I know it wouldn't have been thrown out.

With a 5" barrel it is a handful, even with the porting. Not ridiculous, but a handful. And the porting is from the factory, bought it new as seen in these pics, no modifications to the gun.

Maybe 100 rds put through it, maybe a little less or maybe a little more. If you said 200 rds I would call you out on this gun.

So, reload and shoot? Or leave it as a safe queen, and maybe someday a collector item? A forgotten caliber that never took off?

I am still looking at dies for this gun, and will buy a set when I find the right set at the right price.

chris

 

[1KPerDay]

Nobody had Ill intent in correcting your recollection, and there’s no need to apologize. I’d have a hard time remembering exactly when any cartridge debuted or when I bought what.

You mist have gotten one of the first .480 Tauri! Pretty cool pistol. If you don’t want/need/enjoy/see a need for it you could always sell or trade it.

 

[Varminterror]

I’m reminded of a toolbox in my Grandpa’s garage, now in mine. It has a collection of tools he picked up as a wrench in the Navy, and later working on big industrial machines (quarries, mines, the like). Big tools. Really. Big. Tools. Grandpa was also a big man, such wielding them seemed far more natural for him than they ever have for me (many in aluminum, but many homemade from steel - can’t find it, make it). I sold a great number of them when he passed, but I kept a few. One of which is crude hunk of steel with a solid rod welded through it, a recognizable hammer. A handle of ~3ft with a clevis ring bored and welded to the end for a shoulder strap, but over 250lbs. I’ve carried it to move it, but I can’t say I have had appropriate use for it, nor can I even think of a task I would willingly grab up such a tool (certainly not in front of anyone else)- but it has been in the back of my garage for the ~18yrs since he passed.

My wife asked once when we moved why I still had it. My only response was:

“It’s not hurting anything where it is, so I keep it around just in case, someday, I need a Big. (Expletive). Hammer.”

If it were my revolver, and I didn’t need the money otherwise, you might guess my answer, even if I wasn’t shooting it.

 

[edwardware]

I can get the dies and shell holder for about $90 right now.

Holy paladium dies Batman! Buy the Lee dies for $34; it's a handgun, not an benchrest rifle.

 

[Trashyshoots]

I would load up some light target loads with a cast lead bullet and enjoy some bigass holes in paper.

 

[Dudedog]

Varminterror,

A handle of ~3ft with a clevis ring bored and welded to the end for a shoulder strap, but over 250lbs. I’ve carried it to move it, but I can’t say I have had appropriate use for it, nor can I even think of a task I would willingly grab up such a tool (certainly not in front of anyone else)- but it has been in the back of my garage for the ~18yrs since he passed.

Sound like the perfect thing to go with a Lee whack a mole.

 

[Dudedog]

I would load up some light target loads with a cast lead bullet and enjoy some bigass holes in paper.

Yep, with the right loads it could be a pussycat not a tiger.

 

[Catpop]

Sounds like unique time again.

 

[Sneakshot92]

Varminterror,


Sound like the perfect thing to go with a Lee whack a mole.

That'd be one tightarse crimp!!

 

[Varminterror]

Varminterror,


Sound like the perfect thing to go with a Lee whack a mole.

With no intended exaggeration -I’d be honestly concerned for the survival rate of the dies. I certainly wouldn’t want to have to load very many, as lifting that monstrosity many times would mean considerable detriment to my health.

 

[Dudedog]

Warranty claim,
"But the instructions said hit it with a hammer....."

 

[MikeInOr]

Why would anyone want a 480 Ruger, especially a snubby if they already have a .44 mag snubby? The reason I ask is there is a Super Redhawk locally that was sawed off to a snubby with the front site remounted for $575 (A poor man's Alaskan?). It has been up for a few months and I bet I could pick it up for an even $500. I kind of want it... but I don't know why? A .475 bullet downloaded to softer shooting sub .44 mag levels (.475 Special?) would still pack a heck of a wallop with that big cross sectional area while not being as punishing.

 

[.38 Special]

If I didn't reload, my .500 S&W might only have 100 rounds through it, but because I cast and load - and have lots of Trail Boss on hand - the gun goes through several thousand rounds a year. The big boomers are a giggle-fest when loaded light.

So to answer the O.P.s initial question: yes, in your shoes I would definitely get some dies and have at it. You may well find that with the right recipe the big gun is an absolute delight and will move to the front of your safe.

 

[Jack B.]

I've never figured cost when it comes to reloading. Its all about developing a load that's better than factory loads. I havea 480 Ruger that I load for. I probably have put over 500 rounds through it. It's a great cartridge to down load so you can have extended shooting sessions with it. Brian Pearce has developed some Alliant Unique loads for the 480 that are very easy to shoot. I have developed a load using use 9.0 gr. of Unique with Oregon Trail Trueshot Cast Bullets 480 Caliber (476 Diameter) 355 Grain Lead Flat Nose Gas Check bullets. They shoot to the same point of aim as Hornady factory loads. Just a whole lot less recoil.

 

[ballman6711]

Well, you guys/gals are truly enablers. I have been looking at dies more and more, and bullets, and brass, and load data.

And...

Since I'm back working now for a few months I do have a bit of spare change, so I think it's time to "pull the trigger" so to speak.

I have some H-110 for this caliber, but does anyone recomend a different powder? The other powders I have are too fast and wouldn't be suitable ( W231 and VV-320 ).

Thanks!

chris

 

[ballman6711]

Why would anyone want a 480 Ruger, especially a snubby if they already have a .44 mag snubby? The reason I ask is there is a Super Redhawk locally that was sawed off to a snubby with the front site remounted for $575 (A poor man's Alaskan?). It has been up for a few months and I bet I could pick it up for an even $500. I kind of want it... but I don't know why? A .475 bullet downloaded to softer shooting sub .44 mag levels (.475 Special?) would still pack a heck of a wallop with that big cross sectional area while not being as punishing.

View attachment 916457

I've fired a few little nasty's like that. Worst was an over/under derringer chambered in .410/45-70. Funny thing though, it didn't look bad when you watched some one else shoot it, but it split a lot of webs, dislocated several fingers, and even broke a couple. I got off easy with a dislocated finger. Won't shoot that one again unless someones life depends on it.

chris

 

[cfullgraf]

I have some H-110 for this caliber, but does anyone recomend a different powder? The other powders I have are too fast and wouldn't be suitable ( W231 and VV-320 ).

H110, W296, and 2400 would be good powders for full power loads. Western Powders also have some good choices as well such as Accurate #9, Enforcer, and some others.

Alliant Powders has a light load with Unique at about 1100 fps.

For my 460 S&W Mag's light load, I searched the internet to get some suggestions but you need to be cautious with a "Bubba's" reloading data. If you are not comfortable with that, then just use the companies' published data.

 

[ballman6711]

H110, W296, and 2400 would be good powders for full power loads. Western Powders also have some good choices as well such as Accurate #9, Enforcer, and some others.

Alliant Powders has a light load with Unique at about 1100 fps.

For my 460 S&W Mag's light load, I searched the internet to get some suggestions but you need to be cautious with a "Bubba's" reloading data. If you are not comfortable with that, then just use the companies' published data.

Thanks for that info. I know the H110 will give me "full house" loads, but looking for something a bit lighter. I will look at the Unique loads and do some more research.

And if I don't see it in a book or a manufactures website, I won't even consider it. "Bubba" can do his own thing without me!

chris

 

[Varminterror]

Why would anyone want a 480 Ruger, especially a snubby if they already have a .44 mag snubby? The reason I ask is there is a Super Redhawk locally that was sawed off to a snubby with the front site remounted for $575 (A poor man's Alaskan?). It has been up for a few months and I bet I could pick it up for an even $500. I kind of want it... but I don't know why? A .475 bullet downloaded to softer shooting sub .44 mag levels (.475 Special?) would still pack a heck of a wallop with that big cross sectional area while not being as punishing.

View attachment 916457

For $500, a 480R SRH bobbed to Alaskan length is a ridiculous steal. I’d buy it.

The 480 Alaskan (or this facsimile) isn’t a 45-70 derringer. It’s a proper revolver with proper grips. Very well behaved, relatively.

 

[Weflyfast]

What happens when you can't buy factory ammo? .....call me crazy but I think I remember when we couldn't buy 22s or primers or powder

.....or ammo during a pandemic!