more 480 development

ok, now that i got the rant about the trigger out of my system, i'm ready to move on...

went to the range w/ some more loads put together, and a much tighter crimp. accuracy was excellent. i tested 3 loads out, and all 3 stayed under 1.75" (the best load went 1.550 for 6 shots) at 50 yards.

i still have not reached a max load, and accuracy keeps getting better as the loads get stiffer. i think i am getting close to a max, though, because .5 grain increments are only bumping the velocity 30 f/s. i am just under 1300 f/s w/ 355 grain bullets.

recoil is certainly noticeable, now. strangely, it doesn't kick as sharply as the hornady factory loads, but it kicks much harder (i am one-handing the gun from the benchrest).

unfortunately i ran out of bullets (again), so i have to wait for some more... think i'm gonna stock up this time, because the 355's are shooting so nice, i don't think the 410's will be necessary - and i doubt it will make a bit of difference on-game.

anyway, i am up to 26.0 grains of h-110, and am running an extremely tight crimp. the cartridges almost look like little bottleneck cartridges. alas, it is still not enough crimp. i can shoot 3, but the bullets are pulling noticeably on each successive shot. so, i'm going to hammer the crimp down some more, if i can... i was having a helluva time wrestling the press last time, so i doubt i can get much more crimp, but i'll try. i expect to reach a max charge on my next batch. i may not reach a max pressure, but the bullets are already beginning to compress the powder charge, so i doubt i can get much more than 28 grains or so in there - maybe not that much.

also hope to experiment w/ seating depths in the near future. but, i am pleased w/ what i am seeing now.

so, anybody know about what a 480 ruger is capable of velocity-wise w/ 355 bullets? how about a best-guess?

Dakotasin,  I don't know what dies you're using, but if you continue to have trouble with crimping you might try the Redding Profile Crimp die.

I've been using one for my 44mag for years and have found it to give a very good crimp.  I remember reading that it does both a taper and roll crimp all in one.  I never verified that, but the die has always worked well for me.   

The other reloading steps for my 44 are done with a Lee 3-die set, the first dies I ever bought.  I just didn't like the crimp the Lee was giving and tried the Redding. 

But heck, you're getting 1 3/4" or better at 50 yards one handed off the bench.  Sounds like you're doing real good!  Keep it up.   

Here I thought you were shootin from the hip.

DD