Revolver · SAAMI
.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
- Introduced
- 2003
- Type
- Revolver
- Origin
- United States
- Inventor
- Ruger / Hornady
- Manufacturer
- Ruger / Hornady
- Standard
- SAAMI
- Status
- Active
- Availability
- Common
- Case capacity
- 49 gr H₂O
- Twist (typical)
- 1:18.75
- Primer
- Large Pistol
- Case type
- Rimmed
- Max pressure
- 48,000 psi
- Eff. range
- 100 yd
- Max range
- 300 yd
- Recoil
- 25–38 ft·lb
- Subsonic
- Capable
Ballistics
Published velocity/energy data isn't available for .480 Ruger. Parent case: .475 Linebaugh.
Performance
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
Being verified
Advertised FPS, energy, and BC are withheld until loads clear verification.
Suitable powders
3 reloading powders listed for .480 Ruger, fastest to slowest. Cross-reference in the finder →
Reloading costestimate cost per round vs factory
Estimate your cost per round and how it compares to factory. Inputs are yours — nothing is stored.
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 →
Lineage
Connected reference
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
- Standard SAAMI — ANSI/SAAMI Z299 — Cartridge & Chamber Drawings archived
- Standard C.I.P. — C.I.P. TDCC — Tables of Dimensions of Cartridges and Chambers
- Standard SAAMI — ANSI/SAAMI Z299.3-2022 — Centerfire Pistol & Revolver Voluntary Performance Standards · grain_ballistics, representative_gun archived
- Manufacturer Hornady — 480 Ruger 325 gr XTP Mag (Item #9138) — product ballistics · grain_ballistics, representative_gun
- Manufacturer DoubleTap Ammunition — 480 Ruger 370gr Hardcast Solid 20rds — product page · grain_ballistics, representative_gun archived
- Manufacturer Buffalo Bore — Heavy 480 Ruger Ammo — 410 gr. Hard Cast LBT-WFN GC (Item 13C) · grain_ballistics, representative_gun archived
- Manufacturer Underwood Ammo — 480 Ruger 300gr Xtreme Penetrator Solid Monolithic Hunting Ammo — product page · grain_ballistics, representative_gun archived
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 →