What twist rate does .480 Ruger use?

.480 Ruger typically uses a 1:18.75 twist rate.

What bullet diameter is .480 Ruger?

.480 Ruger uses a 0.4756″ (12.08 mm) diameter bullet.

Is .480 Ruger still in production?

.480 Ruger is active; typical availability is common.

What is .480 Ruger used for?

.480 Ruger is primarily used for hunting, big game, bear defense.

What is .480 Ruger based on?

.480 Ruger is derived from the .475 Linebaugh case.

What are the best powders for .480 Ruger?

Reloading powders commonly listed for .480 Ruger include Longshot, N110, Lil'Gun.

Revolver · SAAMI

.480 Ruger

480 Ruger

A tamed .475 Linebaugh designed for production revolvers.

Caliber: 0.4756″ · 12.08 mm
Introduced: 2003
Case: Rimmed
Parent: .475 Linebaugh
Primary use: Hunting, Big Game, Bear Defense
Status: Active

Velocity1,300–1,500 fps

Energy1,220–1,998 ft·lb

Typical grains275 · 325 · 410 gr

Identity

Introduced: 2003
Type: Revolver
Origin: United States
Inventor: Ruger / Hornady
Manufacturer: Ruger / Hornady
Standard: SAAMI
Status: Active
Availability: Common

Build

Case capacity: 49 gr H₂O
Twist (typical): 1:18.75
Primer: Large Pistol
Case type: Rimmed

Pressure & range

Max pressure: 48,000 psi
Eff. range: 100 yd
Max range: 300 yd
Recoil: 25–38 ft·lb
Subsonic: Capable

Ballistics

Representative trajectory · 100 yd zero0–500 yd

Open in Ballistic Compare ↗

By real loads: 1,100–1,500 fps · 38 loads
Parent case: .475 Linebaugh

Representative trajectory — modeled from a single velocity input (no published BC for this cartridge yet).

Performance

Best for HuntingBuffalo Bore JHP275 gr · JHP · 1,500 fpsBuy now →

Best for DefenseMagtech HP325 gr · HP · 1,350 fpsBuy now →

Buy links open .480 Ruger ammunition at Rivertown Munitions.

Dimensionscase measurements · scale drawing · size vs familiar rounds

Case dimensions — the scale drawing at the top of the page is built from these.

CIP TDCC · verified

Measure	mm	in	✓
Bullet ⌀	12.08	0.476	✓
Neck ⌀	12.80	0.504	✓
Shoulder ⌀	n/a
Shoulder angle	n/a
Base ⌀	12.80	0.504	✓
Rim ⌀	13.77	0.542	✓
Belt ⌀	n/a
Rim thickness	1.78	0.070	~
Neck length	n/a
Case length	32.64	1.285	✓
Overall length	41.91	1.650	✓

Size vs familiar rounds

Drawn at true 1:1 — every case is accurate relative to the others. Absolute size depends on your screen's pixel density, so measuring one against a real ruler may be off. .480 Ruger is highlighted below.

Factory loads

In production — 38 active loads across 14 brands. Top 15 shown · see all 38 →.

Brand	Load	Grain	Bullet	FPS	ft·lb	BC
Buffalo Bore	JHP	275	JHP	1,500	1,374	—
Underwood	Xtreme Hunter	275	Lehigh XH	1,500	1,374	—
Underwood	Xtreme Hunter	275	JHP	1,450	1,284	—
Speer	Gold Dot HP	275	Gold Dot HP	1,450	1,284	—
DoubleTap	JHP	275	JHP	1,450	1,284	—
DoubleTap	Hunter	275	Barnes XPB	1,400	1,197	—
Cor-Bon	JHP	275	JHP	1,375	1,154	—
Magtech	HP	325	HP	1,350	1,315	—
Buffalo Bore	JHP 325gr	325	JHP	1,350	1,315	—
Grizzly	Cartridge Co.	325	JHP	1,350	1,315	—
Buffalo Bore	Standard	325	JHP	1,350	1,315	—
Hornady	Custom XTP JHP 325gr	325	XTP JHP	1,350	1,315	—
Hornady	Custom XTP	325	XTP HP	1,350	1,315	—
Speer	Deep Curl	325	Deep Curl SP	1,350	1,315	—
Federal	Hydra-Shok	325	HP	1,350	1,315	—

Velocities are manufacturer-stated (test-barrel). Discontinued loads dimmed.

Suitable powders

3 reloading powders listed for .480 Ruger, fastest to slowest. Cross-reference in the finder →

Longshot N110 Lil'Gun

Reloading costestimate cost per round vs factory

Estimate your cost per round and how it compares to factory. Inputs are yours — nothing is stored.

Powder $/lbCharge (gr)Bullet $/eaPrimer $/eaBrass reusesBrass $/ea

Cost estimate only — not load data. Charge weight is your input; follow published manuals for safe charges.

Firearms chambered in .480 Ruger

12 models in the database chamber .480 Ruger. Browse all →

Taurus Raging Hunter .480 RugerRuger Alaskan .454 Casull 2.5-inchRuger Super Redhawk AlaskanRuger Alaskan .480 Ruger 2.5-inchRuger Hawkeye Alaskan .480 RugerRuger New Model Super Blackhawk .480 Ruger 7.5-inchTaurus Raging Bull .480 RugerTaurus Raging Bull .480 Ruger 8.37-inchRuger Super Redhawk .480 Ruger 9.5-inchFreedom Arms Model 83 480 RugerRuger Redhawk .480 Ruger 7.5-inchRuger Ruger Super Redhawk .480 Ruger 7.5-inch

Lineage

Immediate parent

.475 Linebaugh

Family TreeOpen .480 Ruger in the interactive cartridge family tree↗

Connected reference

Loads38 factory loads for .480 Ruger↗Reloading3 suitable powders — cross-reference↗FirearmsFirearms in .480 Ruger↗ToolCompare ballistics↗

History

Jointly developed by Ruger and Hornady in 2003 as a production-friendly version of the .475 Linebaugh wildcat. Fires the same .475" bullets as the Linebaugh at lower pressure, allowing standard 5-shot production revolvers rather than the exotic single-action only guns the Linebaugh required.

FAQs

What twist rate does .480 Ruger use?: .480 Ruger typically uses a 1:18.75 twist rate.
What bullet diameter is .480 Ruger?: .480 Ruger uses a 0.4756″ (12.08 mm) diameter bullet.
Is .480 Ruger still in production?: .480 Ruger is active; typical availability is common.
What is .480 Ruger used for?: .480 Ruger is primarily used for hunting, big game, bear defense.
What is .480 Ruger based on?: .480 Ruger is derived from the .475 Linebaugh case.
What are the best powders for .480 Ruger?: Reloading powders commonly listed for .480 Ruger include Longshot, N110, Lil'Gun.

Sources & provenance

Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 38 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →