.480 Ruger

Type

Handgun

Place of origin

USA

Production history

Designer

Hornady / Sturm, Ruger

Designed

2003

Specifications

Parent case

.475 Linebaugh

Case type

Semi-rimmed, straight

Bullet diameter

.475 in (12.1 mm)

Neck diameter

.504 in (12.8 mm)

Base diameter

.504 in (12.8 mm)

Rim diameter

.540 in (13.7 mm)

Rim thickness

.065 in (1.7 mm)

Case length

1.285 in (32.6 mm)

Overall length

1.650 in (41.9 mm)

Primer type

Large pistol

Maximum pressure

48,000 psi (330 MPa)

Ballistic performance

Bullet mass/type	Velocity	Energy
325 gr (21 g) XTP Hornady	1,350 ft/s (410 m/s)	1,315 ft·lbf (1,783 J)

Test barrel length: 7.5"
Source(s): "Cartridges of the World"

The .480 Ruger (12.1×33mmR) is a large, high-power revolver cartridge, introduced in 2003 by Sturm, Ruger and Hornady. This was the first new cartridge introduced by Ruger, and was at time of introduction the largest-diameter production revolver cartridge, at .475 in (12.1 mm).

.475 caliber handgun cartridges are not a new idea. The .475 Linebaugh was introduced around 1988 as a custom, 5-shot Ruger Blackhawk single-action revolver. The .475 is a wildcat cartridge made by cutting the .45-70 case to a length of 1.4 inches (36 mm), and necking it to accept a .475 bullet. The .475 Linebaugh is an immensely powerful cartridge, almost as powerful as the .454 Casull, the most powerful production revolver cartridge at the time (the .475 generates about 1800 ft-lbs of energy. The .454 can generate around 2000 ft-lbs). The .475 diameter bullet allowed bullet weights over 400 grains (26 g), a feat not possible with the .45 caliber cartridge cases, and the terminal ballistics of the heavy bullet, even when loaded to moderate velocities, were impressive. The .475 Linebaugh was designed for handgun hunting of large game, such as bear, where deep penetration is required for a quick, humane kill, and the heavy, cast Keith style semiwadcutter bullets out of the .475 Linebaugh penetrated very well.

When Ruger began to design their new cartridge, they started with the .475 Linebaugh super-magnum cartridge, but went a different direction. Rather than using the Blackhawk, Ruger chose to chamber the new round in the double-action Super Redhawk, and designed the cartridge to fit in a 6-shot cylinder. The Super Redhawk was already the only 6-shot .454 Casull revolver in production, as all other makers used 5-shot cylinders to keep the cylinder walls thicker to handle the high pressures. The .480 Ruger uses lower pressures than the .454 Casull at 48,000 PSI, so the .454 Casull can produce higher velocities and more energy, although, with much lighter bullets than available in .475 caliber. The .480 case was also .21 inches shorter than the .475 Linebaugh, at 1.285 inches, the same as the .44 Magnum. The .45-70's large diameter rim is also turned down, which is required to fit the 6 cartridges in the Super Redhawk's cylinder without interference.

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Wikipedia