Highest Rifle Velocity
5278 fps in .22-243 Middl.
5130 fps in .22-250 Ack Im
Most Powerfull Rifle
14412 ft-lbs in .700 NE
13109 ft-lbs in .50 BMG

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The .480 Ruger is based on a .475 Linebaugh case shortened to a length of 1.285 inches. (The .475 Linebaugh is based on a modified .45-70 case shortened to 1.5 inches in length.) The .480 Ruger is a by-product of the work Hornady put into developing a load for the .475 Linebaugh specialty revolver cartridge. The basic idea behind the new cartridge was a .475 with reduced recoil (compared to the brutal .475 Linebaugh) and an overall length short enough to fit the cylinders of .454 Casull production revolvers. The ballistics of the current .480 factory loads call for a 325 grain bullet at a muzzle velocity of 1350 fps from a 7.5" revolver barrel. Muzzle energy is 1315 ft. lbs. At 100 yards the bullet is still rolling along at about 1075 fps and carrying 835 ft. lbs. of energy. That is, as intended, about midway between the .44 Magnum and the .454 Casull in power. From a pistol zeroed at 100 yards the trajectory of the factory loads should have a midrange rise of about 3 inches, which makes 100 yards the logical distance at which to zero a .480 revolver for big game hunting. 

This text is based on information from “Cartridges of the World”, Hodgdon reloading manual, the cartridge designer and/or own resources.

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