hhi812
.240 Incinerator
Posts: 17
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Post by hhi812 on May 22, 2015 9:52:07 GMT -5
Just bought one of newer style 480 SRHK. Seeking advise for hunting load. I live in Alaska. Want to hunt caribou with it for starters. Like shooting cast bullets. Should I use a 325 gr fast or a 400 gr slower? I have a 2x Leupold, ultra dot or 2-7x Simmons Gold Medal. Which optic best for my 480?
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Fowler
.401 Bobcat
Posts: 3,546
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Post by Fowler on May 22, 2015 10:27:47 GMT -5
I have a Freedom Arms 475 with a 480 cylinder and I have run the lions share of my rounds through the 480 chambering, probably 5000-7000 rounds through it. I have never been very impressed with the accuracy or penetration of the light 300-325gr bullets on the market. I started with a 425gr WLNPB LBT bullet and a Lee 325gr WFNGC Bullets both I cast and they never gave me the accuracy I was looking for but then I tried a 375gr LFNPB bullet from LBT that I cast and the gun came to life for me. I scoped the gun for just a short period of time for testing and found that bullet in my gun, driven anywhere from 800-1350fps would shoot better than I could hold, I had several 1" groups at 50 yards with it. I have settled on a load of HS6 at 1050fps for my everyday load in the gun and I have hunted elk with it and wouldnt hesitate to carry it for even moose loaded at that level as well. Im not saying running the bullet up to 1200-1300fps would be a mistake but the bullet and load doesnt have to go full speed to be effective, especially if you shoot it better at the moderate speeds.
I then got in on a group buy for a Miha hollowpoint mold that cast 405gr bullets with a solid nose or 380gr bullets with the large hollowpoint pins in it. The theory I had going in, was the bullet was it would hit the same point of impact as my everyday 375gr bullet with the same load would (and it does) so that when hunting I could have the first shot or two be this big hollowpoint and then back them up with the standard solids in case the animal wasnt down and I needed to drive a bullet into vitals from bad angles. Now I have not killed anything with this load yet although a few others here have and the results have been decisive, up to and including a mature Bison bull that simply kicked over on his nose from one of the hollowpoints being driven through his lungs.
I guess you can say I have had the best success with the mid range 350-410gr weight bullets, your milage may vary of course.
As for scopes I cant help much, I dont care for them on handguns at this point, but they are a personnal thing, nothing wrong with them they just dont suit me.
Good luck with the new gun and let us know how you proceed...
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Post by sixshot on May 22, 2015 11:55:11 GMT -5
If you stay in the 370 gr to 420 gr. range with your 480 you'll be able to handle anything on the planet, those big slugs, either solid or HP will penetrate like crazy even at modest velocities. Several years ago a friend borrowed mine & shot a large bison in Montana, the bison has facing him head on & the 370 gr. softnose cast went well back into the neck after penetrating the skull, he said the back legs kicked the belly before it hit the ground. I used that same gun & load, 370 gr. softnose cast & 20 grs. of 4227 to take a bull moose, one shot broadside at 45 yds, he walked about 15 yds & down with a complete exit. Five years later my Dentist used my Alan Harton 5 shot custom 480 with a 370 gr. slug & 21 grs of 4227 to take a much bigger bull moose with one shot, complete penetration & he was down & out in 10 seconds. You can run these loads up quite close to 475 loads but there's no need, if we are getting complete penetration on bull moose & bison at 1000-1100 fps all you're gaining with more velocity is RECOIL. Recoil goes up about twice as fast as velocity does so its up to you but my experience is, find a load that you shoot well & your 480 will do very well with manageable recoil. Other bison, very large feral hogs & bears have been taken with the 385 HP with complete penetration, I think its the very best bullet out there except for the biggest bears & have many photo's to prove it. For Grizzly or Brown Bear you would be better served with the same bullet in solid form which runs about 410-420 grs. I'll be shooting a bunch of them in 3 weeks in Raton. Scopes are a personal thing, some people like them & some don't, if you decide to use one an Ultra Dot has the best reputation from forum members here.
Dick
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hhi812
.240 Incinerator
Posts: 17
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Post by hhi812 on May 22, 2015 18:14:51 GMT -5
Thanks guys. Reason for an optic is because of my aging eyes and need to use trifocals, I have a hard time using iron sights with them glasses. Probably use the scope to test loads and go with the ultradot as you folks suggested. By the way, on those big game you folks shot, what would be a rough maximum range you would use with your iron sights? Probably my max with ultradot if I can get good enough.
Other problem with the cast bullets, is I don't cast anymore. Had to stop many years ago, and now with a grandkid, and another soon, and work, casting is out of the picture. Any of you guys know who sells cast bullets like those you suggested? I might be old fashion, but when I shot the best, was when I had one load. I want to be able to have a source of bullets to hunt and practice with. And reason for more affordable cast. oh, by the way, do I need da gas checked bullet. I don't need a hot load to get me flinching, I'm getting too old for that. But want enough punch for that moose or caribou, and bear for emergency need. Thanks, Dennis
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Post by bushog on May 22, 2015 21:58:14 GMT -5
If ya' ask nice somebody might sell you some of those MP hollow points.
He might even powder coat them red for you too.
They do rock...
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hhi812
.240 Incinerator
Posts: 17
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Post by hhi812 on May 22, 2015 23:32:31 GMT -5
Please, please anyone can sell me some? ? In fact, anyone game to cast for me if I bought the mold?
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Post by sixshot on May 23, 2015 0:31:31 GMT -5
Bushog is jerking your bobber, pm sent!
Dick
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Post by dougader on May 23, 2015 9:18:11 GMT -5
Dick sent me some of those bullets. I have yet to try them out but they look awesome, and the performance reported by hunters here is stellar. I even took one of the 385 hp's to work to show some of the guys.
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Post by taffin on May 23, 2015 9:32:35 GMT -5
Just bought one of newer style 480 SRHK. Seeking advise for hunting load. I live in Alaska. Want to hunt caribou with it for starters. Like shooting cast bullets. Should I use a 325 gr fast or a 400 gr slower? I have a 2x Leupold, ultra dot or 2-7x Simmons Gold Medal. Which optic best for my 480? A 420 GRAIN BULLET AT 1150 FPS SHOT TOTALLY THROUGH BROADSIDE ON A TROPHY BULL BISON. 2X IS ALL THAT IS NEEDED. SAVE THE 2-7X FOR A LONGER RANGE HANDGUN.
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Post by Ken O'Neill on May 24, 2015 7:21:32 GMT -5
Dennis, I prefer to keep things simple, and like to use 1 load for a given gun. I have generally used 400 gr. bullets in my .475L and .480's. I have handgunned caribou, but not with those guns and calibers. However, I have taken bears, elk, bison and water buffalo, etc. with those guns and bullets, and the 400 gr. bullets performed very well. I recommend that you pick one in that weight range, and stay with it for everything. I agree with John; a 2X Leupold would be perfect.
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Post by zeus on May 28, 2015 16:23:24 GMT -5
I love the 385 at about1125-1150. I use 15.5 of HS6 in the 475 L brass so you would need back off a touch. It has performed exceptionally well for myself and others. When I'm around the computer again, I'll post a link or photo shoot o the recovered slugs. The bison one I didn't recover. 1" entry and exit perfect circles in both rib cages. Dick cast a great slug . I started using a Deltapoint on my FA and love it so far. Here is one of the more recent pigs I shot with that slug. The last one I shot, they passed through and I didnt recover a slug. singleactions.proboards.com/thread/14138/latest-hog-475l-385-hp
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hhi812
.240 Incinerator
Posts: 17
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Post by hhi812 on May 29, 2015 13:42:17 GMT -5
What is your favorite load to get 1000-1100 fps? I got H110,296,2400,IMR4227,HS6,Unique, Titegroup Power Pistol and Longshot. Mag or standard primer?
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Snyd
.375 Atomic
The Last Frontier
Posts: 2,387
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Post by Snyd on May 29, 2015 23:03:24 GMT -5
What is your favorite load to get 1000-1100 fps? I got H110,296,2400,IMR4227,HS6,Unique, Titegroup Power Pistol and Longshot. Mag or standard primer? Welcome to the forums! Good to see another Alaskan here! What part of the state are you in? I'm in Fairbanks. I have a buddy that has a 480 and a custom NEI 435gr. He got it from Ranger Rick when he sold out. I could probably borrow it from him and do some casting for you. I've got wheel weights, linotype, etc. We could work out some kind of trade. I can always use powder! Sho ot me a private message. Here's a video of it and the big boolit... vid1079.photobucket.com/albums/w505/pbsnyd/Shooting%20Videos/RockShoot_zps752782a0.mp4
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Post by zeus on May 29, 2015 23:05:53 GMT -5
HS6 with WLP primers. I use 14 to 14.5 in the 475 L. You would need to back off just a touch to keep the velocity down in the 480 I imagine but I bet 12.5-13 would get you in the ballpark. One of the others that actually uses the 480 may could give you an exact number.
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Post by arokcrwlr on May 29, 2015 23:14:55 GMT -5
What is your favorite load to get 1000-1100 fps? I got H110,296,2400,IMR4227,HS6,Unique, Titegroup Power Pistol and Longshot. Mag or standard primer? One of my favorite loads is a 400 gr. WFN (measures 410gr) from MBW over 21.0 gr of 4227 in the 480 and 475L. Another good one, as has been mentioned, is 15.5 gr HS6.
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