When I first read about the 480 Ruger I was unimpressed. Going by the ballistics that Hornady published, a 325gr XTP at 1350fps my first thought was 'Why?'. Ballistics for the original load was margially higher than a 44 Magnum or heavy 45 Colt with a slightly larger bullet. However in such a strong revolver as the Super Redhadwk and with larger case capacity I thought that it must be capable of more, and many others thought highly of the new caliber - along with many who derided it as being a "poor mans 454", so I kept reading hoping I would see something more from the caliber.
New data from Hodgdon for the 480 has revised my opinion. This new data puts the 480 Ruger solidly in 454 Casull territory, a ways behind in energy but ahead in momentum and TKO and all at a lower pressure than the famous 454. The extra bullet weight and larger diameter should give the 480 an advatage when hunting big game, making those less than perfect shots possible by having deeper penetration with those 370-400+gr bullets.
A ready supply of inexpensive brass and bullets seems to be the major hurdle for the 480 to overcome at this point. I don't think a lack of extensive factory ammo is a major problem since calibers in this realm tend to be the handloaders domain. Paying $15 for 50 480 bullets vs paying $17 for 250 45 caliber bullets in the same style and similar bullet weight could be a problem for many handloaders.
I know that for me unless I can find someplace to purchase 480 bullets for a reasonable price won't be investing in a 480 Ruger - I'll get my Super Redhawk in 45 Colt/454 Casull instead.
John
Factory Hornady 480 Ruger, 325gr@1350fps
Energy: 1315
Momentum: 62.7
Taylor KO: 29.8
454 Casull, 300gr@1750fps
Energy: 2039.7
Momentum: 75
Taylor KO: 34.1
New Hodgdon 480 data #1, 370gr@1454fps
Energy: 1736.6
Momentum: 76.9
Taylor KO: 36.5
New Hodgdon 480 data #2, 405gr@1337fps
Energy: 1607.3
Momentum: 77.4
Taylor KO: 36.7
New data from Hodgdon for the 480 has revised my opinion. This new data puts the 480 Ruger solidly in 454 Casull territory, a ways behind in energy but ahead in momentum and TKO and all at a lower pressure than the famous 454. The extra bullet weight and larger diameter should give the 480 an advatage when hunting big game, making those less than perfect shots possible by having deeper penetration with those 370-400+gr bullets.
A ready supply of inexpensive brass and bullets seems to be the major hurdle for the 480 to overcome at this point. I don't think a lack of extensive factory ammo is a major problem since calibers in this realm tend to be the handloaders domain. Paying $15 for 50 480 bullets vs paying $17 for 250 45 caliber bullets in the same style and similar bullet weight could be a problem for many handloaders.
I know that for me unless I can find someplace to purchase 480 bullets for a reasonable price won't be investing in a 480 Ruger - I'll get my Super Redhawk in 45 Colt/454 Casull instead.
John
Factory Hornady 480 Ruger, 325gr@1350fps
Energy: 1315
Momentum: 62.7
Taylor KO: 29.8
454 Casull, 300gr@1750fps
Energy: 2039.7
Momentum: 75
Taylor KO: 34.1
New Hodgdon 480 data #1, 370gr@1454fps
Energy: 1736.6
Momentum: 76.9
Taylor KO: 36.5
New Hodgdon 480 data #2, 405gr@1337fps
Energy: 1607.3
Momentum: 77.4
Taylor KO: 36.7