Post by wdr2 on Apr 25, 2016 19:00:37 GMT -5
When I purchased my Super Blackhawk 480 Ruger last fall, I went to the range with some rather stout loads using Miha’s 385 gr. hp cast bullet over 296 and quickly discovered my daily limit of such loads to be about 25 rounds. (Last spring at Sixshot’s Gathering I discovered that my daily limit with a Bisley 500 Linebaugh to be about 3 rounds even though I shot 5!). Wanting a more comfortable load for myself and friends for more extended range time and practice, I have since experimented with a lighter cast bullet in this fine new 480 SBH.
I ordered a mold for a PB 300 gr. bullet using a design loosely similar to a 45 Colt bullet by LBT that has been very accurate in my Bisley 45. I designed the new bullet using Mountain Mold’s online software and Dan delivered my fine new 2-cav mold built on his large aluminum blocks in less than 3 weeks. I have many custom molds (I refuse to count) and I continue to be impressed by Mountain Molds. This one casts a very round bullet just 0.001in over my sizing diameter of 0.476in, is easy to cast, and is in all ways within specs. The bullet has a 0.365in nose, tangential ogive with 62% meplat, and is 0.33in inside the case:
For my first trip to the range, I selected 6 powders in the medium to fast range (for handgun ammo) hoping to find an accurate load with velocities around 800 – 900 fps. Most of the powder weights were based simply on slightly reducing loads published recently by Brian Pearce in Handloader 301. Brian used a 355 gr. Cast GC bullet from Oregon Trail with an overall loaded length of 1.645in, coincidently the same length as my loads. Of course his bullet extended somewhat farther into the case than my 300 gr. bullet. Brian used CCI 300 primers and Hornady brass while I used WLP and Starline, respectively. I added a light load of HS6 as I have found this powder to be ideal in mid-range loads using heavier bullets (my 370 and 385 gr. cast bullets) in the 480. Taffin lists a load of 10 gr. of HS6 using a 370 gr. LBT lead bullet in a FA83 and 480 brass so I tried 11gr. with my 300 gr. bullet. I also added Trailboss at 6.5 gr., selected since this weight maxed out the small bar on my Dillon measure. The new bullet is cast using WW +2% tin then powder coated using Smoke’s powder following the methods outlined by Sixshot and Hoover. These loads are safe in my gun with no signs of excessive pressure. As they are generally outside the published range for each powder, reloaders need to work up their own loads using caution.
Attached are results from my first outing. I am very excited about this new bullet. The extreme spreads listed are for 10 shots and are all acceptable. I fired just one 5-shot group at 25 yards with each load to check accuracy potential and will fire at 50 yards next outing. The light load with Trailboss was outstanding. I also fired at the 75 yard steel gong and our 100m pig silhouette as these loads were simply fun. I fired over 150 rounds of 480 Ruger and ran out of ammo before I reached my “daily limit.”
Trailboss:
231:
I continue to be impressed with my new Super Blackhawk 480 Ruger. I now have Sixshot’s front sight installed (0.370in version), a fine action job by Dick’s son at 2.75 lbs, a Bowen Target rear sight, a Barranti Northwest Hunter Signature Series shoulder holster, and a fine set of Sixshot stocks on the way.
Bill
Idaho Falls, ID
I ordered a mold for a PB 300 gr. bullet using a design loosely similar to a 45 Colt bullet by LBT that has been very accurate in my Bisley 45. I designed the new bullet using Mountain Mold’s online software and Dan delivered my fine new 2-cav mold built on his large aluminum blocks in less than 3 weeks. I have many custom molds (I refuse to count) and I continue to be impressed by Mountain Molds. This one casts a very round bullet just 0.001in over my sizing diameter of 0.476in, is easy to cast, and is in all ways within specs. The bullet has a 0.365in nose, tangential ogive with 62% meplat, and is 0.33in inside the case:
For my first trip to the range, I selected 6 powders in the medium to fast range (for handgun ammo) hoping to find an accurate load with velocities around 800 – 900 fps. Most of the powder weights were based simply on slightly reducing loads published recently by Brian Pearce in Handloader 301. Brian used a 355 gr. Cast GC bullet from Oregon Trail with an overall loaded length of 1.645in, coincidently the same length as my loads. Of course his bullet extended somewhat farther into the case than my 300 gr. bullet. Brian used CCI 300 primers and Hornady brass while I used WLP and Starline, respectively. I added a light load of HS6 as I have found this powder to be ideal in mid-range loads using heavier bullets (my 370 and 385 gr. cast bullets) in the 480. Taffin lists a load of 10 gr. of HS6 using a 370 gr. LBT lead bullet in a FA83 and 480 brass so I tried 11gr. with my 300 gr. bullet. I also added Trailboss at 6.5 gr., selected since this weight maxed out the small bar on my Dillon measure. The new bullet is cast using WW +2% tin then powder coated using Smoke’s powder following the methods outlined by Sixshot and Hoover. These loads are safe in my gun with no signs of excessive pressure. As they are generally outside the published range for each powder, reloaders need to work up their own loads using caution.
Attached are results from my first outing. I am very excited about this new bullet. The extreme spreads listed are for 10 shots and are all acceptable. I fired just one 5-shot group at 25 yards with each load to check accuracy potential and will fire at 50 yards next outing. The light load with Trailboss was outstanding. I also fired at the 75 yard steel gong and our 100m pig silhouette as these loads were simply fun. I fired over 150 rounds of 480 Ruger and ran out of ammo before I reached my “daily limit.”
Trailboss:
231:
I continue to be impressed with my new Super Blackhawk 480 Ruger. I now have Sixshot’s front sight installed (0.370in version), a fine action job by Dick’s son at 2.75 lbs, a Bowen Target rear sight, a Barranti Northwest Hunter Signature Series shoulder holster, and a fine set of Sixshot stocks on the way.
Bill
Idaho Falls, ID
