454 Casull - Reloading Question

[dfletcher]

Just picked up a Ruger Super Blackhawk in 454 Casull. Bisley grip, 6.5" barrel with a 5 shot cylinder. Already have my reloading stuff. This makes about the 85th to 100th chambering I reload for and reviewing my hard copy books, on line types, a few questions pop up.

I'm used to seeing some variations in load levels. Lyman seems to always be a bit more conservative, but the difference between load levels - both max and starting, is much greater with the 454 than I'm used to seeing. I'm not using any "send in your own" loads. These are all well know publishers such as Speer, Sierra, Hornady, Wolfe Publishing and Hodgden on line, Lee, etc.

One printed source lists H110 @ 28.5 max for the 250 Hornady XTP. Another lists 31.5 as starting and 36.5 as max. That's a heck of a difference and keep in mind H110 often carries the "do not start below minimum" admonition. I see similar variations with Winchester 296, which is of course the same as H110. But, I also see some loads of H110 that are much different than WW296. They should be similar, with the same bullets - yes?

I'm using Starline brass. I read that Freedom Arms brass is used in some loads. Is there a difference?

I see some loads listed for the M92 "Puma" rifle and won't be using those in the Ruger. Is there any reason loads listed as 454 Casull, with no specifics such as is found in the 45/70 speaking to Trapdoor, Marlin or #1 levels, can be used in the Freedom Arms but not the Ruger SB?

I'd like to do most of my shooting with 250 grain or so hard cast lead, maybe doing about 1,400 fps. Any suggestions on bullet and powder combination - you can skip the powder charge if you'd like, type will be sufficient guide.

[JTROKS]

All my max loads with W296/H110 are compressed loads. Depending on which brass I’m using will permit a couple of grains more to compress. One thing I learned using the slow burning compressed powders is the importance of magnum small rifle primers.

I don’t like pushing hardcast lead bullets over 900 FPS unless they are the premium hard stuff or gas checked. Even the moly coated will lead the barrel.

I checked some of the FA only loads and it seems they are within COAL and pressures listed in non FA reloading manuals. There are some that can get into magnum rifle pressures. The FA revolvers are built tough with precision. With my 6 shot Ruger SRH I will definitely stick with standard reloading manuals as some max loads can be a bit sticky to eject. If I need more power I’d rather just get a bigger caliber.

[DrewN]

If I need more power I’d rather just get a bigger caliber.

Hard to imagine you'd ever NEED more than .454..

[JTROKS]

Hard to imagine you'd ever NEED more than .454..

Probably why I never bought into the real big S&W magnum calibers.

[Blacktail 8541]

I just sold my 454 5 shot ruger blackhawk. It was a great piece to play with. I used a 285 grain LBT LFN gc . I didn't load it real hot, but you still new you were shooting a 454. I preferred VVN110. I gave the purchaser 90 loaded rounds and 10 empties of starLine brass.

[joeymfd]

wish I had never sold mine. still have all my reloading stuff for it. I would load 35.8 grns of 110 under a 240 grn xtp mag. this was in starline brass
I used hodgdon web site

hope to get another one soon

[TKM]

[QUOTE=JTROKS;22951021]

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1010785955/oregon-trail-trueshot-cast-bullets-45-caliber-452-diameter-360-grain-lead-flat-nose-gas-check-box-of-50

[dfletcher]

wish I had never sold mine. still have all my reloading stuff for it. I would load 35.8 grns of 110 under a 240 grn xtp mag. this was in starline brass
I used hodgdon web site

hope to get another one soon

I was at a gun show in OR this weekend and a fellow was selling 100 count boxes of Hornady 250 grain .452 diameter for $12.00 a box, 300 grainers for $15.00. I bought up a bunch figuring 250 grains would be easy to find data on. Instead I see lots of info on 240 and 260 grains. I can't believe that the difference between a Hornady 240 and a 250 is almost 8 grains. But, blowing up one 45 caliber handgun in my +45 year reloading career is enough to make me cautious.

[bergmen]

I have both the Freedom Arms model 83 Premier and the Ruger Super Blackhawk Bisley like yours (see my avatar). My reloading data was based on the FA published data that came with the model 83.

I load the 240 grain XTP Mag bullets. I used a starting load of 30.0 grains of W296 which is well below the starting load in the FA manual (36.5 grains IIRC, cannot find my manual right now).

My top load is 35.0 grains of W296. One has to be real careful with reduced loads, I had a squib with one of the 30.0 grain loads. The FA manual cautions against doing this as I discovered the hard way. I compensated by using a lee factory crimp die to really grab the bullet. That worked but I don't like how it deforms the brass during the crimp.

I used the 30.0 grain load to introduce new shooters to the wonders of the .454 Casull. This after firing my .45 Colt Blackhawk Bisley with my favorite load of 25.0 grains of W296 under a Hornady 240 grain XTP Mag.

Using this method, I was able to have a work-up to the big fellas while teaching technique.

I'll see if I can find my manual (this is not like me) and fill in some blanks here.

Dan

[bergmen]

I found my FA manual (it was in my range bag). PM me if you have any questions or e-mail me at bergmen-at-pacific-dot-net (@.).

Starting loads for 240 Grain JHP (Freedom Arms bullets) is 36.0 grains of H110 or W296. Max loads are 39.0 (WOW) grains of H110 for a MV of 2090 fps. Max load of W296 is 38.0 grains with a MV of 2004 fps. Not sure why the W296 load is one grain less.

Dan

[DrewN]

Max loads are 39.0 (WOW) grains of H110 for a MV of 2090 fps.

I would pay real money to see someone not named Miculek rip off a cylinder of those

[NapaCountyShooter]

[bergmen]

Max loads are 39.0 (WOW) grains of H110 for a MV of 2090 fps.

I would pay real money to see someone not named Miculek rip off a cylinder of those

I have not done the 39 grainers yet but I am tempted. One must wipe the inevitable sweat from the palms to keep from burying the front sight deep into the forehead. Also, there should not be anything of a flammable nature within a 3 foot radius of the muzzle (just in case).

Dan

[DrewN]

I think a 5" barrel looks the best, but I'd feel like I was leaving something on the table in .460.

[NapaCountyShooter]

I think a 5" barrel looks the best, but I'd feel like I was leaving something on the table in .460.

For sure, I just felt it was a good compromise of power and packability


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