Super Redhawk .454 question (s)

[Blackhawker]

Do any of you 454 Super Redhawk owners ever fire 45 Colt ammo from your .454?  I've read that the chambers of the 454 are quite tight in specs and if one fires 45 Colt ammo from them, the deposits are enough to cause chambering issues for 454 ammo and that the deposits can additionally lead to excessive pressures when firing the 454 ammo.  Is this true?

On a second note, I have also read that either small rifle or small rifle magnum primers can be used when reloading for the .454; which do you reloaders of the .454 use?

[ole 5 hole group]

I shoot a 454 but it’s not a Super BlackHawk.  You will get the same buildup firing a 38 Special round in a 357 Magnum as you do with the 45Colt in the 454.  The shorter round will leave a burn/carbon ring in front of the throat and you may have difficulty in loading the longer cartridge.  It will raise the pressure a bit but I’ve never heard of any problems in revolvers with the exception of the Freedom Arms 454.

As for the primer, use whatever your reloading manual calls for – I’ve always seen SR magnums recommended.

Another option, through a little more expensive, is use 460 SW cases trimmed down to 454 case length and use the WLP primer. 

[Blackhawker]

That's a good thought on the 460 brass.  Thanks!
Ironically, my Lyman manual says small rifle magnum in what was used in the loads but the description says that either can be used, hence, why I asked. 

I suppose this part of the question should go to the reloading section of the forum.  Maybe I'll make a post there.

Thanks again!

[His lordship.]

I recently purchased and shot my Ruger Super Redhawk, and I did fire 8 rounds of .454 Casull through it, I don't plan to do that very much.  I did use a nylon brush on the chambers when I was cleaning it, will make that a practice when firing .45 Colt through it to prevent carbon buildup.

From what I have read the .45 long Colt in a hotter load is fine for general big game hunting.  Will use the .454 for potential bear problems.  It kicks too hard to use on a regular basis.

[kmbrown]

I fire .45 Colts in mine but I do clean the cylinders before firing .454's in it.  I do the same thing if I shot .357 mag's in my .357 max handi rifle.  Ruger level .450 Colts are plenty for deer hunting.  My .454 handloads aren't much hotter than that.

[BIG Dog454]

I fire 45 colts in mine but, usually I just load a 45 colt load in a 454 case.
BD

[SHOOTALL]

I shoot hot 45 Colt loads for Ruger / TC loads in my SRH . I clean the cyl with a brass brush or a Lee lead removal tool. As for cut down 460 cases i would check the cross section of the case wall as some taper fron rim to bullet seating area. I would makes sure the area the bullet was being seated in was not over thick as it could cause seating , deminsions and pressure problems . I don't know that any would exist but its the reason cut down 454 cases should be avoided for 45 Colt loads. All full power loads that I have used called for small rifle primers , when notes as to why are given its because of the pressure the 454 reaches over what a " normal " handgun round does.