Today Was A 480 Day

[JimT]

The 480 Achilles

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I had a box of ammo loaded with mixed bullets but all the same powder charge - 6.0 gr. of Bullseye .. and a box of ammo loaded with the Huffaker hollow base heel bullet and 6.6 gr. of Unique that I wanted to shoot up. It has been awhile since I had the 480 Achilles out and as always, I really enjoyed shooting it. Recoil is "soft" for a big caliber and if I can hold it still it's an accurate pistol.

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I only had 3 rounds loaded with the Killebrew bullet. As usual this bullet is accurate.

[Bill in Oregon]

Very fine shooting Jim! I'd be awful proud of myself shooting those groups. Any guesses as to velocities?

[JimT]

The Bullseye load is close to 880 fps.
The Unique load is 850 fps or so.

[GunnyMack]

That'll work just fine Jim! Nicely done.
I didn't expect your 480 to be a long barreled smoke wagon, I envisioned as a short gun, 5.5 at the most. Must be tough clearing leather!

[JimT]

That'll work just fine Jim! Nicely done.
I didn't expect your 480 to be a long barreled smoke wagon, I envisioned as a short gun, 5.5 at the most. Must be tough clearing leather!

I usually have it in hand when I need it.

When I was in my 30's I could draw and hit just as fast with a 7 1/2" barrel as most did using shorter barrel pistols. Someplace there's a video of MIke Venturino and me drawing and shooting bowling pins off a table. He was using a 4 3/4" Colt SAA and I was using my 7 1/2" Ruger .45 Blackhawk. Our times were about even .. him beating me sometimes and me beating him sometimes. My Dad got me started and he always used the long barreled guns for fast work. He said they point better.

[GunnyMack]

With Mike's recent passing that video needs to be found in remembrance.
Long barrels certainly do point better. I loved the SBH 44 I had, it was a 7¹/².

[Scott Tschirhart]

I really love the stocks on that gun. I tried to get Gary to do a set for me just like those.

I’ve handled and fired that .480 and I really liked it!

[Scott Tschirhart]

The Bullseye load is close to 880 fps.
The Unique load is 850 fps or so.

Quite useful numbers.

[JimT]

I oughta shoot a hog with it. That would be a fitting thing to use it for.

[Scott Tschirhart]

Agreed!

[Pat C]

Jim, Your post didn't say how you fired these groups?
Looks like very fine shooting no doubt.

[JimT]

Jim, Your post didn't say how you fired these groups?
Looks like very fine shooting no doubt.

I would like to say I shot all these left-handed while standing on my head but the truth is I was using the Outers Pistol Perch. It's not a 'machine rest' but does help the shooter hold the gun fairly steady.

Unless the shots are close I have always tried to use some kind of rest when taking game. I took a cow Elk at 90 yards with my .41 Magnum sixgun. Since I had no rest I flopped down on the ground and got into the old long-range silhouette position, leaning back on my left elbow, right knee raised and the pistol laid alongside the leg. It's very steady and I put the bullets exactly where I was aiming.

[Pat C]

Still is a testament of the accuracy of the handloads and great shooting.