What are your favorite bullets for the .480 Ruger. Animals will range from deer to moose. Thanks, reflex264

I have been using the 220 grain CEB Raptors early this year, as well as the 340 grain flat-point solid from them on bigger game. They have all proven extremely terminally effective and very accurate. I have just finished developing loads for the 280 grain CEB Raptor as I think this is a better choice when larger game is on the menu. Should prove good all around. They are pricy, but they work great. I have also been using a 370 grain LFN and a 410 grain WFN. I want to finish out the year with the .480 Ruger.

For Deer and Pig I'm loading the Speer Deep Curl 275gr bullet!!! I have not tried anything else because they work!

Still using the 385 soft cast HP

BTB 420gr WFNGC under a stiff dose of H110 works for everything from woodchucks to dump trucks

I use the Lee 325 gr. gas checked bullet, which I cast from straight wheel weights,20 gr. of 2400 does the trick, this is the gun I'm using on the forum hunt at the Tioga boar ranch next week.

Whit,

Looks like Cutting Edge has made an impression on you, too. I have only purchased for my 300BLK, and have not really fiddled with them, but man they sure are quality. Lots of good reports as well. I really hope they expand their handgun line. Whoda thunk, Whit with a light for caliber expanding bullet in a hand cannon ;^) I think your next book may need a third chapter (perspective) as CEB's are not solids nor are they the traditional expansive type.

Craig

Craig, I have always been a fan of hard cast bullets and I remain so today. However, I am consistent in that I will give everything a try before I draw conclusions. I have used expanding bullets on many occasions which has enabled me to form educated opinions on what I think works and what I think doesn't. The CEB Raptors aren't really like other "expanding" bullets (for lack of a better term) in that they shed their petals and then the shank continues penetrating. From my limited experience with them, they work as advertised. I have used their solids with success as well, though I would like to see a bit larger me plat, but they are great big-game medicine. The one thing that has left a lasting impression on me is the unbelievable accuracy I have gotten from them.

Whit,

Yes, that is why I mentioned a third category. It's funny, way back when, folks like Kieth improved lead bullets. Then things swung to jacketed. Then Veral Smith swung things back to lead, but redisgned. Barnes dropped the jacket, but gave us expansion with penetration (integrity). CEB is now behaving like Barnes was in the early years, light and fleet, ready to make design changes for customers. Heck, you can get the deer grenade lead bullet from Rim Rock which is the lead version of the CEB design, with petal shear and and solid penetrating core. It's all very exciting, the choices, but pretty bewildering at times. I surely do like lead, but something about bullets turned an a lathe gets me a little weak in the knees.....

Craig

Yeah, the precision is very attractive to me -- particularly when it leads to first-rate accuracy. I've written a couple of pieces lately that have given a brief overview of these bullets, but you are right, an in-depth look is warranted, and I plan on addressing just that in a future project.

In particular I am thinking of trying the 370gr cast at 1500+fps from the hodgdon manual. It seems that would be a train wreck on game. reflex264

Flex, I tried that load in the early days if the 480. It's quick on recoil and reminds me of a 454 but heavier in it's impulse if that makes any sense compared to a 475 push and will pretty much detach the offside leg if it hits the shoulder right. Very effective it I prefer more sedate loads as I get older. Haha

325gr Speer

Whitworth
What kind of powder and loads were you using with the 280 grn.bullets? I have some 275 gr Speer that do not shoot well for me at all in my .480 ,if you can give out the loads yet.

That is sort of what I thought. Seems like it would be ferocious on game. reflex264

I took my first deer with a 480 Ruger 10 years ago using a 325gr Speer. I worked great, but unfortunately I became interested in other Encore barrels and let it go.