[TIMBERWOLF]

Winchester now chambers the model 94 for the .480 Ruger. Does anyone know what the ballistics will be in the 20 inch carbine? Muzzle energy and velocity?

Thanks,
Timberwolf

 

[MikeG]

I think a reasonable guess will be that the .480 should pick up velocity similar to what a .44 mag does when it goes from a handgun to a rifle.  A lot of loading manuals have data for both rifles and handguns so it's pretty easy to estimate the difference.  ~300fps?  That would be my guess, maybe a little more, depending on bullet weight.

Energy, trajectory, etc., should be pretty easy to calculate from there.

 

[pourboy]

I agree totally with Mike. I wouldn't expect too much more that a 44 mag. with the same barrel length. The Winchester won't be a "poor mans Linebaugh" either. You see, the Winchester BigBore is dead (***), and this caliber will be in the standard 1894, which can't take a steady diet of high-pressure loads. The .480 is still in the same class as the .44 magnum, and the hot-loaded 45 Colts. The extra bullet diameter could be handy though...