Author Topic: Inexpensive SA .454 Casull? (Read 2499 times)

4MUL8R · « **on:** August 01, 2007, 12:04:13 PM »

Having held a Freedom Arms, shot a Freedom Arms, and really enjoyed a Freedom Arms, one can't help but wonder if there is anyone making an inexpensive SA in .454 Casull. With all the talk about how strong the Blackhawk is, I wondered if there was a conversion or something one could do to the .45 Colt? Dumb question, I'm sure. Probably cylinder length is the problem on mass production revos.

Graybeard · « **Reply #1 on:** August 01, 2007, 12:17:02 PM »

Conversions are do able and are done but cost MORE not less than the FA83. The cheapest SA option I think is the BFR. DA options are cheaper still but then you asked about SA not DA options.

Dusty Wheeler · « **Reply #2 on:** August 01, 2007, 05:26:37 PM »

The BFR .454 with 6 1/2" barrel is really nice...seems much lighter than the FA. I've owned one for a couple years but find I shoot .45 Colt mostly so a Blackhawk or 'old' vaquero gets shot more... BFR is a nice gun though, much nicer fit and finish than Ruger.

BlkHawk73 · « **Reply #3 on:** August 02, 2007, 12:14:46 PM »

Cheap? You get what you pay for!

Boxhead · « **Reply #4 on:** August 04, 2007, 12:12:15 PM »

Can't help any more than those above with a 454 but I'd not bother with the 454 and just get a Ruger Bisley 45 Colt. With a bit of minor tweaking they are great shooters and will throw 325 gr WLN's at 1300 fps which will do anything a 454 will in the field. I just returned from shooting mine with said bullet but loaded down a bit to 1200 fps. It is very accurate and quite reasonable to shoot too, unlike the full tilt 454. I'd guess $600 or so all in for a Ruger so "tweaked" if you can not do the work yourself. Here's a shot of the one I was shooting. If you really have to have a 454 I would search for a used FA as they drop a bunch from retail on the used market and generally are shot very little becuase they hurt.

MS Hitman · « **Reply #5 on:** August 04, 2007, 04:24:03 PM »

I second the .45 Colt suggestion. A 300 grain cast bullet at 1,000 to 1,200 fps is safely obtainable in the Colt and will handle anything you'll come across in the lower 48.

BlkHawk73 · « **Reply #6 on:** August 04, 2007, 04:35:21 PM »

I know there's a used (98%) FA in .454 at a shop up here for $1150.00. Not bad. Of course I'd also go the .45 Colt route. If you can't get it done with that, the extra recoil isn't going to be an asset to you. besdies buying a cheap gun and then you'll find the ammo is a bit pricey. Why not stick with more affordable guns and ammo?

Dusty Miller · « **Reply #7 on:** August 04, 2007, 05:07:19 PM »

With the kind of pressure involved with a 454 it puzzles me that anyone would want a "cheap" gun.

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #8 on:** August 05, 2007, 12:56:34 AM »

me if i wanted a 454 id buck up for a field grade FA gun. The 454 is just one of those rounds that never tripped my trigger. For a cast bullet shooter they dont do anything a good strong ruger wont do. That includes the 5 shot 45s for the most part too. What they and the 454 do is allow you to push a heavy cast bullet to about 1500-1600 fps and in my opinion for what its worth pushing any cast bullet in a handgun over 1300 fps is counter productive anyway. A good 6 shot ruger large frame will do it right out of the box. If i need more power then my 6 shot 45 rugers will dish out, which is unlikely in the US i grab a 475 or 500 and just shoot bigger heavier bullets at 1300fps.

Ken ONeill · « **Reply #9 on:** August 05, 2007, 11:37:22 AM »

The "least expensive" gun to my mind is the one that works all the time , is adequately accurate, and has a long service life. Doesn't hurt if it's real attractive too. I'd stick with the FA Field Grade, with upgraded grips.

gjn · « **Reply #10 on:** November 16, 2007, 11:19:57 PM »

There's currently a Magnum Research BFR 454 on GunsAmeica for $475.00 http://www.gunsamerica.com/976984745/Guns/Pistols/Magnum-Research-Pistols/BFR_454_casull.htm

2 dogs · « **Reply #11 on:** November 17, 2007, 02:59:11 AM »

Chipster, you should check with Ken ONiel or my pal Drop Tine Mark Hargrove. Both frequent graybeards forum as well as some of the others....They both can tell you about the potential of a 454 Casull.....BUT, you have to be a very dedicated shooter willing to practice long and hard to shoot like they do!

Buck up for a FA, you wont be dissappointed....

Swampman · « **Reply #12 on:** November 17, 2007, 03:10:34 AM »

Used Freedom Arms 83s sell pretty cheap. Most have hardly been fired. I let mine go for 1/2 what I paid for it after months of trying to sell it.

2 dogs · « **Reply #13 on:** November 17, 2007, 05:54:19 AM »

The reality of the 454 is that when it is loaded full tilt it is quite a beast......Not for everyone....

Swampman · « **Reply #14 on:** November 17, 2007, 09:06:05 AM »

I liked the cartridge, I didn't really like the gun. I'm still not sure why. I really prefer Ruger single actions.

Racer X · « **Reply #15 on:** December 03, 2007, 03:44:58 PM »

Buffalo Bore, an ammo maker that manufactures "+P" ammo in several calibers, including 45 Colt won't load 454 ammo to its full potential. They state the 454 loaded to the max makes the gun unreliable.

As a comparison, they load the Speer 300 grain Soft Point in 45 Colt +P and 454. The velocities are 1325 and 1525 respectively, not much of a difference.

STJ · « **Reply #16 on:** December 06, 2007, 12:51:37 AM »

I have a FA in 454. After shooting everything from 240g XTPs at 1950 fps to 360gr CPs at 1575 fps, I have ended up with a 325LBT at 1400 fps. (under powered for a 454...still have room in the case) With that load I shot a deer at 70 yards that went into the deer starting at the left front shoulder, the ribs, and then, out though the rear right hip bone. After that I have come to the conclusion that a 45colt in a Ruger would do about just as good.....

But the 454 gives a better WOW factor!

2 dogs · « **Reply #17 on:** December 06, 2007, 04:04:34 AM »

You can make a 45 Colt fairly powerful, enough for most big game....the thing about the FA is the inherent accuracy...mine are tackdrivers!

jy951 · « **Reply #18 on:** December 11, 2007, 11:12:47 AM »

the 44 mag or 45lc will not do everything the 454 will do. the 454 will take large game at a much longer range than either the 44 mag or 45 lc. i'd say your range sould be doubled.

kennisondan · « **Reply #19 on:** December 11, 2007, 04:50:16 PM »

I saw one on the singleaction forum or the ruger forum.. for a good discount.. there was a bfr on it cheap... there are also many 454s available as stated by others... the FA is hard to beat..
I like the rugers a lot and like my FA a lot.. had a 454 and loved it really... stopped shooting it cause of hearing damage before I got electronic hearing protection....
dk