Running 325gr Speers rapidly out of my 6" Linebaugh makes for a snappy combination.

Shoot the 420's over Unique for play, and over 296 for serious thump - found out very quickly that it does pay to keep the plinkers and the thumpers separate! A cylinder full of powder puffs interspersed with an unknown full-power load grabs your attention, quickly...

And Trad - congratulations!

In my 475L, I've been shoot'n 375gr'ers at 1450. I'm planning on trying some 400gr at a more moderate load with Unique; prolly around 1100fps range or less.

Congrads. Mark, I gave up at four kiddo's. I knew I was in trouble when the wife and I were out number by two, lol.

As far as loads, I've been playing with 400gr Hornady's and 420gr. Cast Performance. Both about 1gr. off of max load using Acc. #9. I haven't gotten a chance to cronograph them yet, too cold up here in New York to be playing around too long outside..

I like big leisurely slugs

385-425 in the 475 at about 1050-1200

400-460 in the 500 at about 1050-1150

They hurt what they hit but don't beat you up too terribly in the process. The 385s at 1170 in the 475 are just powder puff loads but hit like a hammer!

I don't need anymore than that for what I do. Ill never see the African game so I don't see me going much crazier with experimentation.

Ok I have a question and this is not to be controversial, just adding to the discussion,

Why a 475 or 500 at such moderate velocities and with such light bullets, wouldn't it be more prudent to shoot a 480 or 500JRH if those bullet weights and velocities were desired?

I just look at it like driving a sports car and never getting out of 3rd gear, I think we all can agree the 475 is optimum at the 400-420 grain range, while the 500 Linebaugh is ideal at the 500-525gr range.
I know the "Its Not Needed" but if less velocity and moderate bullet weights are desired isn’t it better to drop down a caliber rather than load it down?

I think for alot of guys it's knowing the power is there if needed. I personally run things full tilt because I think the same way you are but I also know from experience that cosntant full house loads will take a toll on your body. The 50 Bowen and 50 Special will both actually take care of most tasks the big boys are used for and with alot less powder and recoil.

Not sure if we've helped or confused, but I'll give it a whirl. Since you already have a 475, you already have the most versatile of the two cartridges; since it can be loaded with 475s and 480s. I've found this combo to be very exciting to handle! Looking at penetration test performed by Mr. Linebaugh himself, http://www.handloads.com/misc/linebaugh.penetration.tests.asp, the 475 actually seems to offer the most penetration, even when compared to a .500 Belt Mountain solid brass slug. So, what would you ever need a 500 Linebaugh for? Of course, after I shot the buffalo bore +P+ in my 44 mag, I figured I'd never need anything bigger, EVER! Then I saw a BFR on sale with 2 scopes, loaded factor and hand loads, dies, brass and felt that burning hole in my pocket. So, I know why you do NEED to buy that 500; you NEED to know which one YOU like best!

Let us know what you discover!

I know the .475 385's that Glenn referenced have a big cavernous HP in that cast slug, lending to it being lighter than the 400-420gr you suggest. As far as optimum or ideal, each gun and barrel will have it's own, as accuracy should drive the selection - but that's the advantage of the bigger bores - you don't have to push them full throttle to be effective on most everything we'll pursue on this continent, either in bullet weight or velocity...and you have the flexibility to load it up and stomp on the gas if need be. Consider it "daily driving" in your sports car. I don't run 140mph daily because it's not practical - but I can

As far as the 480 and JRH go, don't have either. Yet.

I agree, and feel the the 480R might be the most versatile hunting chambering in regards to power and shootablility. I desire a 50 cal just so I can throw an ounce or more of lead, otherwise it has no real advantage over the 480R since it will shoot a 325-400 clean through a critter front to end. Need and prudence have no place in this hobbie

My sons 500 jrh is not at all difficult to shoot at 1200 fos with 440's. He doesnt care for the trajectory a bunch so its his up close and personal load and gun. We have enough in our house that we have made things very specialized for a given job at hand. Its easy to forget theres quite a few calibers and bullet combos thatll take anything ya come across. Ya buy what ya want and master it. Then get another one

Another reason is; you can get the same results from the same bullet weights, with less pressure by using the bigger case.

I agree Kim, it is better to go fatter than longer when moving up in weight. Problem is that usually means another gun.

Why would that be a problem, Rod??

Seasons, A 385 is not a light bullet by any means in the real world. As far as the happy points for bullet selection that you mention, they do work, but they are not what I would consider correct on all accounts, mostly because its an individual gun or personal thing most times. I like the 420 in the 475, shoot a lot of them but the 385-400s are excellent performers. In the 500, I like the 420-440 grainers for years. Trying new ones now for fun. The 525s are neat but by no means do I think they are optimal for me personally. They are great i guess for the max versions but they take up a lot of case room to me in the standard 500. They do work though and some folks like them. I just haven't fooled with them enough to say I prefer them. Every gun is different. And to answer your question, at the velocities that I'm shooting my 475, it basically is a 480 but I have plenty of running room if I want to. Same with 500 but in the question, you ask about the JRH, its not even the same diameter as the Linebaugh so its not really the same as you mention. No need in taking a beating when you don't have to for most applications. The name of the game as you will find out is match the bullet to the game. For the stuff that I mainly hunt, the 385 is electric! Hell, just for grins I tried the newest one in that weight class on a bison and got complete penetration and death in mere seconds. I don't know what else you would want from one shot on a large animal. Would more power have worked, sure but it wouldn't have worked any better. When you finally get yours back someday from Jack and start shooting, I'll be curious to what you figure out on your own when you start traveling down that road and not what you have read here or been told along the way. You may be surprised and find that you don't use the 525s for most applications if you go into it with an open mind and give them all a fair shake. It's always nice to have access to the power but it not always necessary. That one sentence should save you some time and powder

Glenn,
This was just a opened ended post and not directed at anybody directly, but to answer your questions.

"the name of the game as you will find out is match the bullet to the game."

I don't believe this and never have, there is no such this as overkill, This goes with the same reason I have shot 70 plus on my archery equipment, why because I can handle it and don't believe in downloading is it need no but helps when its there.
Yes, apples and oranges but I think you get the idea. I have the mentality if you can’t handle it, get stronger and shoot more!

You mentioned the 525’s are a new thing, but they have changed the game for the linebaugh when it comes to penetration and puts the 500 above the 475, is it needed, yet again no, but I don’t have the luxury to change sight position on the drop of a hat so I rather maintain a baseline.

I mentioned the JRH do to velocity choices along with bullet weight, I am well aware of the diameter differences.

I am very open minded about loading choices but I do have my opinions, not just from what I have read on here or been told despite what you may think.

A little late to the party but........

I settled on 2 loads: 325 Speer at 1400 and a 420 WFN at 1375. I wanted to try both on deer this past fall but got sidetracked with a medical issue.

The calculated recoil difference between the two loads seems significant but in reality doesn't seem all that much. I'm hoping to slay an elk next fall with the 420 WFN. It might work

I have a 480 Ruger Super Redhawk and Bowen Redhawk 500 Linebaugh. Mostly plink with 400 or 420 grain with Unique. Lil'Gun for the thumpers.

I have found for low recoil loads TiteGroup works great Universal as well.

I have a very old Number 1 in 475 Linebaugh made many many years ago borrowed a reemer from John Linebaugh. I have done allot of shooting different loads and bullets in that rifle low and slow to real thumper rounds. 355 grain Trueshot is one of the best out my handguns and from the rifle. I actually like the Barnes X bullet for reduced loads effective game takers in the Linebaugh . I want to try the 275 Deepcurl Speer anyone use that in a 480 or 475 on game?