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Post by Quick Draw McGraw on May 21, 2016 16:35:10 GMT -5
Hy guys. I had a bad experience loading with the top end specs of a .480 Ruger load I found in Hodgdon's website. Accurate Powder says the top end on a 325 gr. XTP loaf is 23.5 grains producing 1,450 FPS. Does this sound safe or over the line? Keep in mind the Hornady load is 325 gr. XTP at 1,350 FPS.
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f3
.30 Stingray
Posts: 412
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Post by f3 on May 21, 2016 17:16:56 GMT -5
What powder are you using?
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Post by nolongcolt on May 21, 2016 17:22:50 GMT -5
Just before it blows into little pcs! But seriously it all depends. I picked a load out of a manual that used a specific bullet, not the one I used and HOLY COW what a barn burner! I called the company and was pretty much told I was an idiot for using their data with a bullet other than the one they used. I explained that this is pretty common even if not a good idea and that perhaps the load in their book should be toned down a tad or make damn sure consumers understand that its a really hot load and ONLY SAFE for the bullet listed. I got nowhere with them. Sometimes it pays to not vary any component in the loading.
Just re read my post here and realized it sounds like I was talking about the .480 when in fact I was not. I was just using an example for illustrative purposes. The load was for a .45 ACP, not the .480 Ruger.
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Post by sixshot on May 21, 2016 17:24:01 GMT -5
Did you start out with the top end load? Its always hard to say what is a top end load unless you use the exact same powder, case, primer, bullet, gun, etc that they used. Just too many different things that can happen without starting low & working up. If I'm starting out with something brand new that I have no experience with I like to reference at least 2-3 different manuals to see how they compare because many times they are different by 2-3 grains of powder in the same caliber. Cylinder gap, throats, there's just a lot going on with top end loads that can get your attention & maybe get you up close to a proof load. Using someone else's load off the internet has became a problem for several new handloaders in the last several years. Not saying you are new or anything, just saying be careful with any top end load data without starting lower & working up in normal heat conditions.
Dick
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Post by cmonti77 on May 21, 2016 17:36:53 GMT -5
I've always considered the listed data on the Hodgdons site to be a bit on the high side. I reload for the 480 Ruger, and I use 20 grains of W296 under a 370 grain bullet and experience no signs of excessive pressure, and my load is 4 grains under the suggested starting load for that size bullet on the Hodgdons website.
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Post by Markbo on May 21, 2016 18:35:42 GMT -5
The good thing about the .480 is that it doesn't have to be loaded real hot to be very, very effective.
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Post by Quick Draw McGraw on May 21, 2016 19:07:50 GMT -5
To answer some questions, I initially loaded up some 355 gr. WFNGC Oregon Trail bullets W/Lil'Gun at Hodgdon's top end. It only took 10 rounds to realize something was way too pressurized. I pulled the last 40 rounds, then reloaded at the BOTTOM load data and all was well. My bad on that.
I've learned from my mistake and never start up high anymore. Life's too short and I like having all ten fingers.
So what do you guys think of 23.5 grains of Accurate No.9 behind a 325 grain Hornady XTP Mag? It's the top end of load data on Accurate's Reloading Data. The page states 1,450 FPS. I don't want to START there, but do you think this bullet could be propelled at that velocity safely? Or is it pushing the cartridge too hard, and should really be reserved for the .475 Linebaugh?
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Post by dougader on May 21, 2016 19:35:21 GMT -5
Hornady 9th shows their 325 XTP bullet with AA9, WLP, Hornady case, START at 16.4 grains for 1100 fps; MAX 23.0 for 1400 fps. This was fired in a 9-1/2" Ruger Super Redhawk.
My 480 loads will never see north of 1200 fps.
I think the better question to ask is: what's the most accurate load in my revolver that will cleanly take game?
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Post by sixshot on May 21, 2016 23:35:31 GMT -5
dougader is giving you some good advice. I would totally forget about velocity at first. Start at the bottom & find a load that shoots well in your gun & that you are comfortable with, then run it through the clock & see how fast its going, don't worry about velocity first. Accuracy has to come first.
Dick
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wdr2
.30 Stingray
Posts: 147
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Post by wdr2 on May 22, 2016 8:55:35 GMT -5
I would start with Brian Pearce's article in Handloader 301, April 2016. He has several loads in the 1100 - 1200 fps range with both jacketed and commercial cast bullets all shot in the new Ruger SBH 480.
I have found 12.5 - 14.0 gr of HS6 to be very accurate with 300-400 gr. cast bullets. Taffin lists many loads for HS6.
Bill
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Post by Quick Draw McGraw on May 22, 2016 10:23:06 GMT -5
Lots of good thoughts here. I agree that really accuracy is the goal and dougader is right. I honestly am curious if the cartridge is able to do it safely more than really loading that hot. So far, I have found that I like heavier bullets at lower velocity in .480 and my loads at the starting spot on the data I have used have been plenty of power.
I have a buddy considering the cartridge and he wanted to know if the 325gr XTP at 1,450 was safe. I said I'd ask but didn't know. I'm still experimenting with loads for myself on .480 buy bet I will find whay I found with my .44 Mag loads. Mid-velocity usually is more accurate than the hoy loads... And easier on the hands.
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Post by bushog on May 22, 2016 12:53:35 GMT -5
BELOW 1200 IS GOOD ADVICE IF YOU DON'T WANT TO BE ONE HAND MCGRAW.........
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Post by Quick Draw McGraw on May 22, 2016 19:02:19 GMT -5
BELOW 1200 IS GOOD ADVICE IF YOU DON'T WANT TO BE ONE HAND MCGRAW......... Understood.
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Post by 500fksjr on May 22, 2016 19:14:12 GMT -5
anything over 1100/1200 fps in 45,454,480,475, an 500L feels an OUCH factor....
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Dad45
.240 Incinerator
Posts: 30
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Post by Dad45 on May 22, 2016 21:39:08 GMT -5
Quick Draw this doesn't directly answer any of your questions but I'm throwing it out there just for reference sake and personally i wish there was more info to be had on this round first off obviously this is just my meager opinions and thoughts, i like this round for the fact that i believe it does more work with less effort and less felt recoil compared to something like the 454, with that said i believe if one wants velocity to do the work then use the 454 or better yet a 460. that being said i bought into the .480 so as to be throwing large pieces of lead that hit like a sledgehammer and work under 1200 fps and do as much or more than the 454 at higher velocity and lighter rounds (that statement may start some interesting conversation) anyways i am using a 410r wide flat nose with 20.5 of H110, my average through the chrono has been 1141. i also used same bullit with 20.0 of H110 and those averages have been 1111 fps (some believe 20.0gr is right at the bottom and any lower will prove troublesome however i have had good results with both of these loads accuracy wise in fact both are very accurate from my SBH 6-1/2" for me this is right as in accurate, fairly clean burning, hits hard downrange,no real leading issues, is very manageable and accomplishes my goals hope this helps somebody and now i will sit back and watch the shredding of my opinion begin
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