Author Topic: .45 lc out of a .454 super redhawk? (Read 2107 times)

jammer308 · « **on:** May 09, 2009, 03:35:50 PM »

Hey guys. I'm trying to figure out the best way to go with this little project I'm wanting to start. I've got a .454 srh that I got an extra cylinder in .45 lc for. The idea is to eliminate one problem with sticking .454 brass from shooting a lot of .45 lc's, and another with possible pressure spikes in the chamber from shooting the shorter cases. Also I want to have the cylinder relieved to accept moon clips for .45 acp. I don't personally like the idea of doing this to my .454 cylinder although I know it can be done. Being such a high pressure round I'm concerned about case head seperation or other possible problems when shooting the .454's.

Now before I send the gun out to be done I have another idea/concern. I'm wondering what kind of accuracy other srh shooters are getting out of their .454's when shooting .45 lc? Since there is a difference in bore/bullet diameter between the 2 rounds, would I be better off buying another super redhawk in .44 mag and having it re-bored to .452, and then have the extra cylinder in .45 lc fitted to it in order to shoot .45 lc and .45acp? I realize the differences in cost I will incur. I'm only concerned about the accuracy to expect from shooting .451-2 caliber bullets through a .454 bore, and also possible leading issues. I use the .454's for 2 reasons. 1 being deer/hog hunting. The other is hog/bear defense while hunting. I do not shoot a lot of them, but feel the need for the power the .454 offers. I like the .45 lc/acp for cheaper plinking fun, and home defense. The gun is a 7 1/2" model now, but will be cut down to about 5" when I have the other work done. So what do you all think about this?;;

Option A- Send my .454 out to be fitted with the .45 lc/acp conversion cylinder and have the ability to swap cylinders according to the task at hand? It would be a lot cheaper.

or B- Leave the .454 as is, and buy another srh in .44mag to be re-bored to .45 dims. and fitted with the .45lc/acp cylinder?

Thanks for any input. jammer

BIG Dog454 · « **Reply #1 on:** May 10, 2009, 04:27:05 AM »

The 45 Colt, 45ACP, and the .454 Casull, all shoot the same size bullet. You could get another 45 cylinder and have it chambered for the 45ACP if you wish.
BD

jammer308 · « **Reply #2 on:** May 10, 2009, 06:19:26 AM »

So i am mistaken that .45 lc and acp are .451-.452 and the .454 is, .454?

Ahab · « **Reply #3 on:** May 10, 2009, 09:55:12 AM »

Quote from: jammer308 on May 10, 2009, 06:19:26 AM

So i am mistaken that .45 lc and acp are .451-.452 and the .454 is, .454?

Yes you are. My .454SRH doesn't shoot .45LC very well or maybe it's my imagination. Anyway it was an excuse to get a nice .45LC RH with the 4" barrel and it shoots them just fine.

Hairtrigger · « **Reply #4 on:** May 10, 2009, 01:24:54 PM »

I can shoot 45C more accurately at 25 yards than I can 454.
The more I practice shooting heavy 454 loads the closer I can get to the 45C groups I am getting

timothy · « **Reply #5 on:** May 10, 2009, 03:20:11 PM »

Where the heck did you find a srh cylinder chamberd for 45colt? And why not download 454's to 45colt power levels and skip all this? And why not just get a 45 ruger convertible black hawk, or 4'' redhawk in 45colt? This post sounds crazy!

corbanzo · « **Reply #6 on:** May 10, 2009, 03:47:12 PM »

Quote from: timothy on May 10, 2009, 03:20:11 PM

Where the heck did you find a srh cylinder chamberd for 45colt? And why not download 454's to 45colt power levels and skip all this? And why not just get a 45 ruger convertible black hawk, or 4'' redhawk in 45colt? This post sounds crazy!

454 cases are more expensive, you need more powder for a light load in 454 than in 45. A couple reasons why.

The .45acp is .451, the 45LC and .454 casull are both .452. You can find bullets in .454, but they are over the nominal bore.

The cylinder change doesn't have anything to do with the diameter of the bullet, you can use the .451 in a 45colt or 454 casull, you can use a .452 in a .45acp. The only reason for the cylinder change is the casing rim.

I have also had sticking with throwing .454 cases after .45colt cases. You don't need a new cylinder though, all you have to do is run a swab down your cylinders, clean the gunk out that your .45's leave, and you are good to go.

jammer308 · « **Reply #7 on:** May 10, 2009, 04:13:46 PM »

Quote from: timothy on May 10, 2009, 03:20:11 PM

Where the heck did you find a srh cylinder chamberd for 45colt?

I know a guy......Well actually, I made a deal with the devil and got me Redhawk cylinder in .45 lc. Uhmm yeah, it will fit a super redhawk. And vice versa. Already been done.

Quote

And why not just get a 45 ruger convertible black hawk, or 4'' redhawk in 45colt? This post sounds crazy!

Well because the blackhawk can't handle .454's, and I like "double action" revolvers for defensive work. And if I went with a redhawk, which I did actually look deep into doing, I'd have to fit the .454 cylinder to the redhawk and I'd be in the same boat as I am now.

jammer308 · « **Reply #8 on:** May 10, 2009, 04:32:37 PM »

Corbanzo, I have a problem with relieving the cylinder for moon clips on the .454 cylinder in order to shoot .45 acp. I have seen one done this way so I know it is possible but, I personally don't like the idea of taking material away from the case head area of a high pressure round like the .454 casull. Maybe if i saw more guns done like this and it was proven safe over a period of time I might do it? But I'm not willing to gamble that sort of power on one guy's experiment that hasn't seen a lot of range time. This is the main reason for fitting the extra cylinder. Really, the issue of accuracy and sticking cases might just be solved as a bonus.

I shoot .454's more accurately than .45 lc.

Go figure. Probably has more to do with the long jump for the bullet out of a shorter case than bore diameter I'm sure now. I was under the assumption that there was a difference in bullet diameter with these rounds and that was why I had accuracy issues with the .45 lc out of this gun. My mistake.

timothy · « **Reply #9 on:** May 10, 2009, 09:33:55 PM »

I have to beat factory 480 shells out of my 6 shot SRH, could the sticky extraction be pressure related rather than rings in the cylinder? You say you want to use the gun for hunting, plinking, and home defense, and I know you have an extra cylinder but rather than go any further I'd stop while I was ahead. You'd need to readjust your sights every time you change calibers, and loose velocity and sight radius when you cut down the barrel, plus ruin the looks imo. The SRH is a fine hunting revolver so I'd leave it as is. I dont see the problem with downloading the 454 to 45 levels I do it often in 44 and 475. Like mentioned 45acp are 451 dia and dont usually shoot very well in auxillary cylinders through 452 barrels. S&W makes a nice 45acp 4 '' N frame that would work perfect for your home defense gun with moon clips. Good luck

jpuke · « **Reply #10 on:** May 11, 2009, 01:23:40 AM »

Is swapping the cylinder out of a double-action revolver easy enough to make it worth it? I had a convertible Blackhawk for a long time and I know it's easy with a single action but I haven't a clue as to how to do it with my Redhawk, never crossed my mind. Do you need to shoot 454's at all? I find my 45 Colts will do everything I want them to and not punish me for it. I'd never begrudge a fellow shooter his desire to have a bigger gun, I just don't see the need for the 454 Casull.

corbanzo · « **Reply #11 on:** May 11, 2009, 07:01:43 PM »

Quote from: jammer308 on May 10, 2009, 04:32:37 PM

Corbanzo, I have a problem with relieving the cylinder for moon clips on the .454 cylinder in order to shoot .45 acp. I have seen one done this way so I know it is possible but, I personally don't like the idea of taking material away from the case head area of a high pressure round like the .454 casull. Maybe if i saw more guns done like this and it was proven safe over a period of time I might do it? But I'm not willing to gamble that sort of power on one guy's experiment that hasn't seen a lot of range time. This is the main reason for fitting the extra cylinder. Really, the issue of accuracy and sticking cases might just be solved as a bonus.

I shoot .454's more accurately than .45 lc. Go figure. Probably has more to do with the long jump for the bullet out of a shorter case than bore diameter I'm sure now. I was under the assumption that there was a difference in bullet diameter with these rounds and that was why I had accuracy issues with the .45 lc out of this gun. My mistake.

In that case, I am in agreement with a new cylinder for the .45acp, I wouldn't shoot a .454 out of a cylinder that was fitted in any way for the acp. I'm just saying no reason at all for a extra 45 long colt cylinder, and the front of the cylinder make up and barrel make up make no difference, just the backside of the cylinder.

jammer308 · « **Reply #12 on:** May 13, 2009, 12:52:20 PM »

Right, I hear ya. bud. Thanks Corbanzo.

jammer308 · « **Reply #13 on:** May 13, 2009, 01:08:11 PM »

Jpuke, Swapping the cylinder on a super redhawk is as easy as taking the gun apart for cleaning, so long \as you have the crane, and everything's intact. Taking the cylinder apart from the crane assembly is not rocket science, but definately a bit more involved. On a the .44 mag, it can be done with a specially made screwdriver, and a steady, careful hand. However on the .454 model, they use some sort of thread-lock at the factory and I wouldn't recommend taking one apart without some serious thought and guidance. The barrels on these 2 revolvers are the same story. 44. mag can be removed with proper tools by the average guy. You try this on the .454 and you'll most likely ruin the gun. These guns were definately "built like tanks" as they say.

I also absolutely agree with you that .45 lc will do everything I ever need to do with a revolver. Hopefully I'll never "need" to shoot a bear in defense. But if I do, I want the .454 casull in my hand. That's the versatility of this gun that i love so much. otherwise I'd probably have just stayed with the .44 mag.

northkid · « **Reply #14 on:** May 21, 2009, 03:05:49 AM »

How do you folks like the 454 SRH? That seems like a nice versatile gun to have and shot. Been kicking around picking on up.

Hairtrigger · « **Reply #15 on:** May 21, 2009, 06:46:45 AM »

Quote from: northkid on May 21, 2009, 03:05:49 AM

How do you folks like the 454 SRH? That seems like a nice versatile gun to have and shot. Been kicking around picking on up.

I am on my 3rd one in 454... every time I sell one I miss it and buy another.
I do like the 7.5" barrel better than the longer one

northkid · « **Reply #16 on:** May 21, 2009, 09:06:43 AM »

Thanks for the commit on it, I miss out on a used 7.5 for $525.00.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #17 on:** May 21, 2009, 09:10:10 AM »

the 45 acp shoots .451-.452 dia bullets , the 45 colt shoots .452 ( but hornady list some .451 bullets for it ( light bullets ) and the 454 shoots .452 dia. bullets according to Hornady . Sierra on the other hand list their bullet at .4515 dia.
The 45 acp case mouth is listed at .473 , the 45 colt at .480 and the 454 at .473 in the Hornady book . Sierra list .480 for both the 454 and 45 colt and .473 for the 45 acp .They can all shoot the same bullet , most 45 colt die sets will also load 454 . When you look at it it seems confusing , but keep in mind that cases of different thickness is needed to contain different pressure levels and still use the same bullets .
I have heard but not seen that you will get a build up of jacket metal in the forcing cone shooting 45 colt in 454 guns and this will cause higher pressure when the 454's are used . If i want reduced loads now i just use 454 cases . When i was shooting the 45 in the 454gun it shot just fine . I shot heavy hornady bullets and used the lower crimp grove which places the bullet so as to reduce freebore .

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #18 on:** May 21, 2009, 09:13:45 AM »

I like the 7.5 SRH but unless you want to shoot 454 the REDHAWK in 45 colt is lighter and can be hand loaded to match the 44 mag. in the field at a lower pressure in most cases And it can be had in a 5.5bbl length .

runningun · « **Reply #19 on:** June 07, 2009, 06:03:05 PM »

If you look up specs from some bullet manufacturers many of the .451 or .452 are listed for 45 acp through 454 loads. Also many of the actual bullets are .4515 which is 1/2 a thousandth between the two (Not much) . It seems that although brass for a 454 is more expensive, it would be far less expensive to buy the brass in 454 and download it to 45 colt velocities. You can buy alot of brass for the price of another gun + gunsmithing + 45 LC brass.