Author Topic: Bullets for .475 cylinder (Read 1578 times)

ck · « **on:** June 27, 2008, 01:15:39 PM »

Hi guys,Im going to be picking up my .475 on tuesday. Im getting ready to order some Hornady dies,shell holders etc.

As far as bullets go is it safe to assume anything under 400 gr will fit? Im looking to get a wide range of weight to play with.What Im looking at is. 475 caliber Lee #90237 .476", 325 gr. FN GC
Oregon 355gr
LBT 375gr non gc (Not sure if this is the same as Cast. Perf. as they dont show on their site)
Lead head 355gr 425gr

I would love to try a 445gr but I haven't found anybody that goes that high

Can anybody recommend any other bullets that will fit?

Thanks,Chris

Ken ONeill · « **Reply #1 on:** June 27, 2008, 02:34:59 PM »

The 400 gr. Hornady XTP is superb. The 400 Speer works, as does the 325 XTP. Tim Sundles of Buffalo Bore used to sell the 420 gr. WFN and LFN hardcast bullets that he loaded in Buffalo Bore ammo, but I don't know that he still does. They are excellent, with my 3 guns preferring the WFN versions.

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #2 on:** June 27, 2008, 11:46:09 PM »

if you cast. ballisticast makes a great 420 lfngc mold especially sized for the FA guns. I dont have a fa 475 but that bullet has been proven to be a real shooter in about every 475 and 480 weve tried it in.

ck · « **Reply #3 on:** June 28, 2008, 06:15:17 AM »

Quote from: Lloyd Smale on June 27, 2008, 11:46:09 PM

if you cast. ballisticast makes a great 420 lfngc mold especially sized for the FA guns. I dont have a fa 475 but that bullet has been proven to be a real shooter in about every 475 and 480 weve tried it in.

I would really like to start casting, my only concern is finding the lead.

paul105 · « **Reply #4 on:** June 28, 2008, 07:15:20 AM »

There is no easy answer when using cast bullets in the .475 Freedom Arms revolvers. Anything with a crimp to nose length less than or equal to .375" will fit the cyl lengthwise without having to resort to trimming the cases or seating above the crimp grove. What you have to be careful of is the diameter of the bullet in front of the crimp grove. Some of the LBT style bullets (sized to .476) will be full diameter in front of the crimp grove enough so that the bullet will not chamber in the throat even though the overall length is short enough for the cylinder. I haven't found a bullet sized to .475 that is within the overall length constraint that won't chamber in the FA.

For example, my gun likes .476 bullets, but some of the LBT style bullets sized .476 will not chamber in my gun because the forward portion of the bullet in front of the crimp groove will not enter the chamber due to tight throats. On the other hand, there are several other makes of bullets sized to .476 that will chamber with no problem -- diameter above crimp grove is .475, or the amount of bullet in front of the crimp grove is short enough to allow chambering.

Again, I haven't found a bullet sized to .475 that meets overall length requirements that won't chamber in the FA.

Paul

kobol · « **Reply #5 on:** June 28, 2008, 08:39:43 AM »

Good Day,
I just received my Freedom Arms 475 Linebaugh the other day. I purchased the Hornady dies as well and some Beartooth bulllets "
475 Linebaugh 420g LFN GC (.476)".
I just finished loading them using Trailboss powder. They all fit my cylinder and the COL measured 1.365. Tomorrow I will be taking her out on her maiden voyage.
I also purchased the Lee 400gr mold as well. I've too heard good things about the "Ballisticast" mold and will probably pick up one of those as well.

On a side note, I have the Hornady 4 die set and found that when I used the separate "taper crimp" die, the rounds didn't want to feed to well in the cylinder. But when using the crimping built into the "bullet seating" die, I had no problems what so ever not to mention it was quicker to reload.

Ken ONeill · « **Reply #6 on:** June 28, 2008, 08:57:07 AM »

The 4th die should be a "crimp" die, not a "taper crimp" die. It sounds like you may not have adjusted it far enough in, to crimp enough.
In any event, my own early RCBS dies size and crimp adequately, without the need to crimp separately. Others may not.

Paul makes an excellent point about some/ most (?) .476 " bullets. The .476" WFN's I use work, but they are a very tight (and accurate) fit in the chamber throats.
I predict you will be very pleased with your .475.

kobol · « **Reply #7 on:** June 28, 2008, 10:42:35 AM »

When looking it up on the Hornady site under taper crimp dies, they have the 475 listed there and if I recall correctly, I read on other sites that the extra crimp die included was of the taper variety. But in any event I found the regular seating die to work best for me.
Has anyone here used the LBT molds with the .4 nose? I was told they would work in the FA, but I thought the max for a FA was .365. The bullets I loaded measured .365 and gave me the 1.765 COL which is spec I believe for FA cylinders. I was just curious before I purchase the balisticast mold.

Graybeard · « **Reply #8 on:** June 28, 2008, 10:49:05 AM »

The fourth die in my Hornady die set is NOT a taper crimp but a roll crimp die. You can get by using only three but it is best to seat and crimp seperately. I've done it both ways with mine but the purpose of that fourth die is so you can seat and crimp in two separate steps and if adjusted correctly you can put a very heavy roll crimp on with it.

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #9 on:** June 28, 2008, 01:00:40 PM »

hornady calls it a taper crimp die but it will put a roll crimp also if you adjust it to

kobol · « **Reply #10 on:** June 29, 2008, 06:06:27 AM »

That clears it up. I stand corrected.
I'll probably give it another try when I get some more brass and bullets. Right now I am experimenting with different loads and bullet weights to find one I like. Either I have to purchase some more brass/bullets or shoot up what I loaded so far. It's a tough situation to be in.

ck · « **Reply #11 on:** June 29, 2008, 06:29:21 AM »

So will the ones I listed above fit?

paul105 · « **Reply #12 on:** June 29, 2008, 07:46:02 AM »

Don't know?? As John Taffin says, "each gun is a law unto itself". You are going to have to try each individual bullet to see if they work in your gun.

I have shot several thousand of the the above mentioned 355gr Leadheads and they work fine in my gun. They are a WLNGC, sized .476 below the crimp grove and smaller in front, so they fit in the tight chambers of my FA. Overall lenth is fine also. With that said, I don't know if they will work in your gun.

If the 375gr LBT you are referring to is from Montana Bullet Works, it has a crimp to nose length of .395 which is going to be to long for the cylnder if crimped normally. You will either have to crimp above the crimp grove or trim you cases. Also, Montana Bullet Works will size these bullets either .475 or .476.

Don't know about the 325gr Lee, but the 400gr Lee is a bit too long (.390 crimp grove to nose) to crimp normally. Using Hornady dies, I shoot/have shot a bunch of these (Lee 400gr) crimped slightly above the crimp grove using 20.0gr of 2400 without any problems. In my gun the 400gr Lee, sized .476 using 20.0gr of 2400 is a very accurate load. It runs right at 1,100 fps.

If you happen to get some bullets that won't chamber due to tight throats, you can get serviceable ammo by either crimping in front of the crimp grove, or by trimming you cases. Remember, the shorter OAL will reduce powder capacity a bit, and you will have to reduce powder charges accordingly. I'm lazy, so I crimp in front of the crimp grove. Example, the 400gr RCBS SWC, can't be crimped normally in the FA -- using 19.0gr of A2400, crimping over the front drive band chronographs about 1,160 fps at 80 deg F, while other 400gr Cast Bullets will run slightly under 1,100 fps.

Montana Bullet Works www.montanabulletworks.com lists crimp to nose lengths for most of their bullets. You can also call Dave and ask him about specific bullets in the FA revolver.

Ultimately, you will have to figure it out by trial and error.

FWIW,

Paul

ck · « **Reply #13 on:** June 29, 2008, 09:26:48 AM »

Thanks Paul. I guess I'll have to e-mail some of the makers of these bullets to find out. Seems like the ogive of some of these bullets is something to take into consideration as well.Good thing I didnt assume that 375 would work I was going to order 500 of them

CK

kobol · « **Reply #14 on:** June 29, 2008, 10:29:46 AM »

CK,
On the Beartooth website, they show the specs and list what works in the Freedom Arms and other revolvers. Mine fit as advertised. Hope this helps.

I've been thinking about Montana Bullet works as well, they list a 420 gr WFN that appears will fit if I am reading ther specs correctly.

ck · « **Reply #15 on:** June 29, 2008, 12:26:03 PM »

kobol,Ill probably get some montanas. I hear its a 4 month wait for the Beartooths.

As a side note the guy I bought the gun from gave me a box of 50 Buffalo Bores 420@1350fps! a $105 box of ammo! I told him I was going to load some nice light loads to get used to the gun before I touched that box.

CK

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #16 on:** June 29, 2008, 11:37:07 PM »

What you have to keep in mind with a heavy recoiling gun like a 475 is that if it fits but barely it may not be good enough. With the heavy recoil of guns like that even with a good roll crimp bullets have a tendency to jump crimp. If you doubt it load 5 in your gun and shoot 4 then measure the last one. If you dont have a little bit of room to play with it can tie your gun up. Nothing you want to happen in a hunting situation. Especially if your hunting something on the dangerous side. I will not use bullets in my heavy recoiling guns that just fit to the end of the cylinder.

fowler · « **Reply #17 on:** June 30, 2008, 02:12:19 AM »

Ok Lloyd,

So are you better sizing to 476 or 475 in a FA with a 475 throated cylinder for us home brewers? Also if you only had 2 molds, a light and a heavy for ever in a 475/480 what would they be? I know the heavy would be a 420gr LFN but what would be the other for you?

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #18 on:** June 30, 2008, 11:47:16 PM »

I dont have a fa 475 so i cant help you with the sizing. My two picks though for any 475 would be that lfngc 420 for a heavy and the ballistic cast 360 wfn for a light. I detest wfns but that one has been accurate in every 475 and 480 ive shot it in. In my guns i size to 476 but youd have to try and see if they will fit in your FA gun. Some FA guns are on the tight side. One added thing about the light and heavy bullets. The 360 usually will need a little speed to do its best for accuracy and if your looking for a light recoiling load you will about allways be better off shooting a heavy at slow speeds then a light at medium speeds. That 420 at about 900 fps is mild recoiling and a very effecient load for hunting.

fowler · « **Reply #19 on:** July 01, 2008, 04:08:39 PM »

Yea Lloyd the plan is a 420 at 1000 to perhaps 1100 for hunting but I am hoping to find a good mid weight bullet I can run 800 to 1000fps to be pleasant for normal paper punching/ steel clanging. There should be a 420 LFNGC mold in route to me any day from the friend that sold me the gun, once he finds it in the clutter. So the heavy is covered just need that mid range mold now. Do you know if the Ballisticast mold will fit the short FA cylinder? You only get .365" of nose length to work with. The gun came with a second 480 cylinder so that is a great option, truthfully the FA is probably a better 480 than it is a 475 but all I have for now is 475 brass so that is where I will run start from. I am going to start mild and work up the recoil ladder on this one slowly, I want to enjoy this gun not get jumpy and flinchy from it. My long term goal I think is very reasonable, to shoot the 420gr at 1200fps very WELL, any idiot can pull a trigger I want to be accurate with it.

475/480 · « **Reply #20 on:** July 03, 2008, 07:20:24 AM »

Hi ,
I have a .475-445 gr mould, if you want to try some PM me your addy I will send you 20-30,if I remember correctly the noselength is .400" .I know that is a little long for the FA but you can crimp over the front driving band to make it fit.
I shoot this .475-445gr in my 475 Linebaugh Maximum so I do not have any load data for the 475 Linebaugh for you to use.

Sean

ck · « **Reply #21 on:** July 07, 2008, 01:33:19 PM »

475/480. Sent you mail

Thanks!