Author Topic: Universal & 480R medium loads. (Read 1073 times)

Hud · « **on:** February 08, 2003, 02:54:22 PM »

Lloyd,
Maybe I should have posted this in the handload section but I wanted to make sure you saw this. Hope you can help me out. There is very little 480 data out there. I've looked up everything on the internet I could find.

I want to use Universal with a 380gr lead bullet for a mid-velocity load in 480 Ruger. The gun is a 5 shot Reeder Blackhawk.

Loads that I looked at, in different calibers, list Universal and Titegroup.
Universal is always loaded just a little heavier than Titegroup, for the same velocities.

44Mag, 355gr bullet, Titegroup 8.2gr, Universal 8.8gr. 990 fps

45Colt, 300gr bullet, Titegroup 5.8gr, Universal 7.3gr 700fps

454Cas., 260gr bullet, Titegroup 11 gr, Universal 11.5gr 1250fps

In each of these cases it would be safe to use Titegroup's data with Universal powder, the velocity would just be lower.

The Titegroup load listed for the 480 Ruger is 10gr max for a 370 gr lead bullet for 1137 fps.

So I am thinking it should safe to use Universal at the same rate or a little less for a 380gr lead bullet. Say 9 to 9.5 grs of Universal should get me around 900 to 1000fps. I may push it to 10gr of Universal but no more, as my bullets are 10grs heavier than what is listed for the Titegroup load.

I'm sure all my numbers are right. I've checked and double checked. I'm not asking you to verify that this load is safe, I just wanted to run it by you incase I was missing something.

I know some of you guys are going to say only use listed data. I understand the saftey issues. But if some of us didn't try new things we would all still be hunting with sticks.

Hud

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #1 on:** February 08, 2003, 11:59:33 PM »

Ive used quite a bit of universal clays but havent used universal. Clays burns about the same as unique and I use the same starting data and work up slowly. Your ruger is a stout piece and pressure can get real high in them without much warning so proceed slowly with unknown data. You can also go to hodgons web sight http://www.hodgdon.com/data/pistol/44remmag.php and email them for there recomendations. Hope this helped

Hud · « **Reply #2 on:** February 09, 2003, 05:15:51 AM »

Lloyd,

Thanks. It is Universal Clays that I have. I will work up slowly and I do know you can't go by pressure signs or you have already gone to far. The first sign may be flying gun parts.

Its kinda like tightening down a toilet to the floor. You stop tightening the nut on the floor bolt 1/2 turn before it breaks the toilet. (I won't cut it that close with the handloads though.)

I have also called and talked to Hodgdon's. There flat answer is that they can't give out any recomendations that aren't in their books. In this day of litigations I can understand that.

Hud

Hud · « **Reply #3 on:** February 09, 2003, 05:34:55 AM »

I see that the difference in pressure, when going from 9 to 10 grains of Titegroup with a 370 grain bullet is around 9000 psi. Going from the 36,000s to the 45,000s. That's screwing the toilet bolt fairly tight.

I have one other question for you (or anyone else). Do you use any filler over your low-powder-volume loads? Pillow filler, bellybutton lint, or anything like that?

Thanks,
Hud

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #4 on:** February 09, 2003, 07:37:32 AM »

I have never used fillers so i cant say whether they help or not

Hcliff · « **Reply #5 on:** February 10, 2003, 05:57:08 AM »

Hud

I had some questions for Hodgdon too. I wanted to know what they had for loads in mid range with HS-6 or HS-7. That has worked great for other calibers. They told me no data has been done for the 480 with those. They told me to get Titegroup or Longshot depening on velocity. I was disappointed too with the lack of mid and low level data. Hodgdon has been a leader with data and they only did a little work. When asked why not with the other powder they said this has the best results. I have tried to contact IMR and they said data is in the works but the new short mag have taken precedence.

Talking about data I spoke to Barnes for their 275 X-PB and they have no public data on that but they have bullets. :?

Oh well

Hcliff

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #6 on:** February 10, 2003, 11:33:47 AM »

in the .475 linebaug 14 grains of hs6 or 15.5 grains of hs7 is a good midrange loads. I dont know what to tell you about the 480 as I have never loaded for one.

Quote from: Hcliff

Hud

I had some questions for Hodgdon too. I wanted to know what they had for loads in mid range with HS-6 or HS-7. That has worked great for other calibers. They told me no data has been done for the 480 with those. They told me to get Titegroup or Longshot depening on velocity. I was disappointed too with the lack of mid and low level data. Hodgdon has been a leader with data and they only did a little work. When asked why not with the other powder they said this has the best results. I have tried to contact IMR and they said data is in the works but the new short mag have taken precedence.

Talking about data I spoke to Barnes for their 275 X-PB and they have no public data on that but they have bullets. :?

Oh well

Hcliff

Hcliff · « **Reply #7 on:** February 11, 2003, 06:27:10 AM »

Thanks Lloyd. What do these run around 1000fps? I might give these a try. I tryed 9.0 gra of 231 I beileve it was seemed OK. It was Sunday with a high temp of 8 and wind chill of -15-25 below. Didn't play to much.

Hcliff

Hud · « **Reply #8 on:** February 12, 2003, 01:36:37 PM »

Loaded 5 round of 480s. 380gr bullet & 7.5grs Universal Clays. I shot a old steel steam pressure tank from about 80yards away. I could see the bullets in the air, with snow as a background, so I am guessing the velocity at about 800fps. All but one penetrated the steel. One hit a steel patch (that I was aiming at) and fell down onto the snow. It sat there, right on top of the snow like a little tiny mushroom. Looked like it had lost about 1/2 its mass.

Hud