480 Ruger and 300-MP

[Viper225]

Working with Alliant Powder’s Power Pro 300-MP MagnumPistol Powder in my 480R.
By Bob Roach

My research looking for 480 Ruger loading data using 300-MP did not come up with much that was useable. Alliant did have a little data for 3 jacketed bullets, the Speer 275, 325, and 400 grain. Nothing for cast. The Lyman Pistol & Revolver Handbook did not have 300-MP powder listed and not much lead bullet data for the 480. They did show a single Cast Performance 370 grain Load using H110 in the Handloading Big Bore Revolver Section. From my reading it looked like it would take around .75 grains more of 300-MP than H110 to reach the same velocity. One can find H110 loading data for the 480 Ruger.

My bullets are cast from a Custom 2-Cavity Mountain Mold. My design was for a 375 Grain bullet with a 70% Meplat, and the base was for a Straight Shank Hornady Gas Check. The bullet has one large grease groove and a crimp groove. I am currently using Hornady Gas Checks, and my bullet lubrication is with White Label (Carnauba Red Bullet Lube)
http://www.mountainmolds.com/ (http://www.mountainmolds.com/)
http://lsstuff.com/store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=3 (http://lsstuff.com/store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=3)
My as cast, lubricated and gas checked bullet weight using wheel weights sweetened with a little extra Tin was 370 Grains. I am reloading on a Dillon 550B using an RCBS die set with an extra seater die to crimp in station 4. My 480 Ruger handgun is an older Six Shooter 9.5 Inch Super RedHawk with Hogue Tamer Grips. I have a 30mm UltraDot optical sight mounted on a Weigand Combat 480/454 scope base.
My Brass is a mix of Hornady, and Speer.

From my research I figured any loading data for a 400 grain jacketed bullet would probably be safe under a 370 Grain Cast bullet. However Safe and tolerable may be two different things. I decided to work up slowly and see what happened.

NOTE: The loading information listed appeared to be safe in my handgun. As with any reloading experiments do not start with upper end loads. Work up slowly and carefully from well below maximum listed loads. Stop at any signs of high pressure.

My first loading was using 20.0 grains of 300-MP under the 370 grain WFN-GC bullet ignited with Winchester Large Pistol Primers.

Brass: Speer/Hornady Mix
Primers: WW Large Pistol
Powder: 300-MP
Bullets: 370 Cast

20.0 grains of 300-MP
Velocity Readings at 15 feet:
1066 fps
1028 fps
1002 fps
1082 fps
1017 fps
Average Velocity: 1039 fps Extreme Spread: 80 fps

Load #2
21.0 grains of 300-MP
1026 fps
1070 fps
1084 fps
1050 fps
1070 fps
Average Velocity: 1060 Extreme Spread: 58 fps

Load #3
22.0 grains of 300-MP
1182 fps
1128 fps
1137 fps
1202 fps
1165 fps
Average Velocity: 1163 fps Extreme Spread: 74

Load #4
23.0 grains of 300-MP
1235 fps
1201 fps
1220 fps
1159 fps
1185 fps
Average Velocity: 1200 fps Extreme Spread: 76

At this point I adjusted the Crimp Die down a little more.

Load #5
24.0 grains of 300-MP
1285 fps
1287 fps
1259 fps
1264 fps
1280 fps
Average Velocity: 1275 fps Extreme Spread: 29 fps

Load #6
24.5 grains of 300-MP
1317 fps
1319 fps
1319 fps
1303 fps
1272 fps
Average Velocity: 1306 Extreme Spread: 47

Load #7
25.0 grains of 300-MP
1322 fps
1299 fps
1326 fps
1290 fps
1304 fps
Average Velocity: 1308 fps Extreme Spread: 36

I was getting quite a bit of Extreme Spread up until my 24.0grain loading. I also put a little more crimp on the bullets when I startedloading the 24.0 grain loads. This makes me wonder if the lighter grainloadings might have tightened up with a little more crimp also.

I believe 24.5 grains of 300-MP with an average velocityof 1306 feet per second is my maximum load with my 370 grain cast bullet. I will probably save this loading until theMissouri Department of Conservation gets the T Rex population up to a hunt ablelevel here in the Missouri Ozarks. I think I will probably go with 22.0 - 23.0grains of 300-MP with an average velocity of 1163 fps - 1200 fps for myMissouri Whitetail Deer load with this powder. I have in the past loaded the 480R using 296/H110, Lil-Gun, AA#9, and Unique. My observation is that 300-MP seems to be alittle softer shooting at the top end. This may be due to it being the slowestpowder of the bunch. I plan to do a fairamount of practicing in the next 70 days till deer season here in Missouri. I willprobably give H110 and Lil-Gun some trigger time with the chronograph and seehow they compare to 300-MP. My local dealer had several cans of 300-MP on theshelf when powder got short. No one was buying it, so over a couple monthperiod I hauled it all off at $19.95 a pound. It is now looking like that was avery good investment.
Is Alliant Power Pro 300-MP any improvement over 296/H110, Lil-Gun or AA#9? I am not sure just yet. The upper end loads using 300-MP seem to be a little solter shooting. Probably due to it being a slower powder. One thing I am sure of at this point. I will not be looking for anyone to take it off my hands.

[dubber123]

Thanks for the great write up. I don't have a .480, but I do have a .475 and a pound of 300-MP I have been sitting on. I may have to combine the two and see how they behave together.

[44man]

It's a little slow for the .44 but should be the way to go with larger calibers.
I would be interested in what accuracy you find with each load.

[Viper225]

I did a couple loads for the 44 Magnum 9.5 Inch Super RedHawk.

Bullet: 310 Lee
Primer: WW Large Pistol
Brass: Assorted
Powder: 300-MP

21.0 Grains 300-MP
1166 fps
1129 fps
1154 fps
Extreme Spread: 37 fps
Average Velocity: 1150 fps

21.5 grains of 300-MP
1200 fps
1199 fps
1174 fps
1205 fps
1217 fps
1221 fps
Extreme Spread: 53
Average Velocity: 1203

The case is pretty well full under the 310 grain bullet. I did not go any higher mainly due to 1200 fps being our goal on velocity.

Bob

[Lefty Red]

I did a couple loads for the 44 Magnum 9.5 Inch Super RedHawk.

Bullet: 310 Lee
Primer: WW Large Pistol
Brass: Assorted
Powder: 300-MP

21.0 Grains 300-MP
1166 fps
1129 fps
1154 fps
Extreme Spread: 37 fps
Average Velocity: 1150 fps

21.5 grains of 300-MP
1200 fps
199 fps
1174 fps
1205 fps
1217 fps
1221 fps
Extreme Spread: 53
Average Velocity: 1203

The case is pretty well full under the 310 grain bullet. I did not go any higher mainly due to 1200 fps being our goal on velocity.

Bob

Interesting. If 2400 goes away (rumors), this might be a good sub for it. Even down to 19 grains and around 1050-1100 fsp, if my guessing is correct.

Jerry

[taco650]

Viper225,

Thanks for sharing this info. I didn't know anything about the 300-MP powder so now I'm far ahead of where I was. I'd be interested in using it in my 44 mag. I like your "softer shooting" comment.

[Mica_Hiebert]

I have an 8 lb keg of H110 21 grains behind a 400gn GC is very pleasant to shoot in the exact same pistol, good to know there's more powder options out there but I dont see changing powders any time soon. :-)

[ArcticGoose]

Interesting post. I've been toying with the idea of a 480 or a 454. I'll be interested to see how the H110 and Lil-Gun compare.

[missionary5155]

Good morning
I have a 475 in a BFR. Whenever I wonder about the capabilities of a boolit / velocity match an old Michigan hunter told me to think about the old BP calibers and how well they worked. Muzzle loaders were available in .46 -.48 caliber. A 350 - 380 grain elongated bullet chugging along at 1200 fps was viewed as "mighty fine bear load" by North Michigan bear blasters. So there is no doubt in my portable computer that it will do more than enough any of us would need done on corn crunchers.

I also appreciate the MP powder info. Having used 296, H110, 4227 and 2400 for 35 years it starts to get hard to think outside the routine. May one day be forced to get used to some of the new powders. 1680 did finally creep in a become a heavy magnum favorite.
Mike in Peru

[Markbo]

I have never used that powder. I like HS6 in the .480 but I am going to print that and put it in my .475/.480 reloading data book for future reference.

[Viper225]

I have a note or two in my Lyman Manual myself.
I have added some sheets in my Sierra Ring Binder style Manual also.
It seems like reloading date is very thin on some of the newer powders.
I reload lots of 38 Special, and also 40 S&W for a revolver as well as 45 acp for both a revolver and a 1911. I have lately tryed powders like 20/28, e3, and American Select. Reloading data for handguns on some of these shotgun powders is hard to come by, and non existant in most if not all reloading manuals.

Bob

[rlb]

The 300MP is my choice in my 44 and 454. Now if I can ever get it again around here thing will be in harmony again. It seems to flame a little more, but in working up loads it seemed to get a good crack sound when you got to where you needed to be. The lower loads seemed to have more of a soft rumble.

[Cornbread]

The 300MP is my choice in my 44 and 454. Now if I can ever get it again around here thing will be in harmony again. It seems to flame a little more, but in working up loads it seemed to get a good crack sound when you got to where you needed to be. The lower loads seemed to have more of a soft rumble.

Any chance you found a good cast 350grn bullet load with the 454 and 300MP?

[glockky]

I am a big fan of 300 MP. I really like it in my 357 maximum encore. The thing to remember with 300 MP is it really shines with heavy for caliber bullets. You won't be impressed shooting 240gr bullets in 44 magnum, but go up to a 300-320gr bullet and it shines.

Alliant is not much help on reloading data either. Handloader magazine did a great article on this powder a few years ago if you can find it.