Loading for the SBH 480 thus far

[daveb]

Well since getting this shooter the day after New Years, and despite a trip back to the factory, I have run 250 rounds down the pipe. First loads were mostly a 412gr offering from Hunter's Supply, bullets that I received were of low quality, and shot horribly, some even keyholed at 25 yards, I loaded these with HS6, Unique, H110, 2400, and 300-MP, next up were the Hornady 325gr XTPs, I loaded these over Unique, HS6, and 300-MP, the accuracy was better, but these convinced me to send the gun back to Ruger. The day after I sent the gun back, my Lee .476-400 mold arrived, bullets drop at 395gr, and .476, my .476 sizing die barely touches them. So far, the Lee bullet has proven to be of decent accuracy, I have loaded them with all of the above mentioned powders, and have found the 300-MP to be the clear winner in my pistol, I am a bit disappointed as I was hoping to use HS6. Groups that prior to going back to Ruger were in the 6" range, have now shrunk in half. I have done a lot of trigger work to this pistol, and still have just a little more to do. I am currently waiting on a mold from Mountain Molds, a 390gr plain based bullet with a single large lube groove, and a 75% meplat, ordered it to drop at .478. I am looking forward to future experiences with this pistol.

[magnumwheelman]

I got my 480 Alaskan about the same time as you got you Super Blackhawk... also my 1st bullets were the Hunters Supply 412 grain bullets... mine looked pretty decent, & shot well... I only shot 25-30 rounds working around the cold & snow... but I got my Alaskan sighted in ( I replaced the factory sights with fiber optic sights, before I even shot it ) got a decent group, & proceded to ring my CAS steel targets from 60 ft for the balance of rounds that day...

I'm ordering some PC bullets from Missiouri bullets... I only used AA #9 to start with for powders, but will go to #7 & maybe #5 with the lighter powdder coated bullets

[bulasteve]

Have been amazed by accuracy of Missouri Bullets coated 340gr with Trail Boss. If they had a heavier, larger meplat version or a HP, I'd throw out my Lee 400gr mold. Well, not really,.but you get the idea.

[jefats]

Feb 18, 2016 10:32:05 GMT -5 daveb said:

Well since getting this shooter the day after New Years, and despite a trip back to the factory, I have run 250 rounds down the pipe. First loads were mostly a 412gr offering from Hunter's Supply, bullets that I received were of low quality, and shot horribly, some even keyholed at 25 yards, I loaded these with HS6, Unique, H110, 2400, and 300-MP, next up were the Hornady 325gr XTPs, I loaded these over Unique, HS6, and 300-MP, the accuracy was better, but these convinced me to send the gun back to Ruger. The day after I sent the gun back, my Lee .476-400 mold arrived, bullets drop at 395gr, and .476, my .476 sizing die barely touches them. So far, the Lee bullet has proven to be of decent accuracy, I have loaded them with all of the above mentioned powders, and have found the 300-MP to be the clear winner in my pistol, I am a bit disappointed as I was hoping to use HS6. Groups that prior to going back to Ruger were in the 6" range, have now shrunk in half. I have done a lot of trigger work to this pistol, and still have just a little more to do. I am currently waiting on a mold from Mountain Molds, a 390gr plain based bullet with a single large lube groove, and a 75% meplat, ordered it to drop at .478. I am looking forward to future experiences with this pistol.

Dave,

Did Ruger say what they did to your gun? The reason I ask is, I had mine out for the fist time today and the accuracy was less than stellar. Some of it was my fault, new gun, not familiar etc. But once I settled in it really didn't get a whole lot better and after 30 rounds at 25 yards I decided to call it a day.

On a positive note, I was able to get some good chrono data which was real nice using 325 factory loads and a few 400 cast loads from several makers. The information, especially Hornady's 325 HP at 1350 f/s, was spot on.

When my Sixgun sight comes in that should correct the shooting high problem which I experienced also.

Just to be fair, today I mainly wanted to run 5 different loads thru the Oehler skyscreens to collect differet data and when I do this I pay more attention to making sure the bullet goes thru the the skyscreens and target impact takes second place. Sessions without the Oehler usually shows better accuracy.

Overall, the gun handled real well, balanced and easy to shoot, no hicups. So, I'm not jumping out any window just yet.

[daveb]

Sorry, haven't been on here in a week! They replaced the front sight, with one the same height, they cleaned up 90% of the cosmetic stuff (tooling mark and chatter), and they did something to the cylinder, not sure what. I am happy to report that while I am still not getting the accuracy that I had hoped for with HS6 and Unique, I am getting minute of cantaloupe accuracy with the Lee 395gr bullet and 300-MP at 30-50 yards. I put some aftermarket Hogue grips on it, and now I am really having fun with it. I am waiting on a 390gr 75% meplat plain based mold from Mountain Molds now. I am still thinking a trip to Gary Reeder may be in order, although I have the trigger almost perfect.

[Encore64]

Both of mine went to Reeder. Both of mine come back shooting sub 2" groups at 25 yards. Sometimes, much better.