Author Topic: Velocity In The 454 Encore? (Read 618 times)

Duffy · « **on:** August 28, 2003, 06:17:49 PM »

Just curious what kind of velocitys that all you fellas are getting out of your 454 bbls in the encore? What bbl lengths and bullets used. Was looking at some data for the FA guns and they are showing 1600 fps with a 320 grain bullet. Would think that should be quite easy to obtain in a sealed chamber with 12+ inches to burn the powder.

Ryan

MePlat · « **Reply #1 on:** August 29, 2003, 01:02:10 AM »

1810 fps with Hornady 300 gr Factory loads. With some 500 gr resized bullets seated out 1330 fps. This may or may not be max on the 500 grainers. I have not done a lot of experimenting with them. This is a 12 inch barrel gun I have.

Duffy · « **Reply #2 on:** August 30, 2003, 07:42:28 PM »

Thanks Meplat, that's kinda what I figured, actually it's a little better. Just curious is your bbl factory or custom? How's the throat as far as giving enough room for long bullets, LFN, WFN ect.

Ryan

MePlat · « **Reply #3 on:** August 31, 2003, 02:00:00 AM »

Duffy, I can load long with the throat in my barrel which is a factory barrel.

I have a 420 gr WLN-GC from Veral Smith that I use at an OAL of 2.0 ".

The 500 gr Lee GC is loaded to 2.220" OAL.

I have an old 525 gr that I really like that is a plain base that had a small flat on the nose like the 500 gr Lee that I can flat point more and make it look like Garretts 540 grainer that is used in the 45/70.

Pressure signs on the cases is certainly less than the Hornady factory load gives and is I think a lot easier on the brass and gun.

I have a buddy that shoots a Lyman 480 gr (depending on the alloy) that is a spitzer that should be a hoot at long range that I chronoed at 1460 last Thursday.

I am very careful when I experiment with loads like this because W296 and H110 is maybe kinda fast for 500-525 gr bullet weights as these loads are not 100 percent loading density such as with the lighter bullets.

The 420 gr load is no where near as high as I can go on that bullet but I settled on that load as a powerful load that isn't bad on recoil. I haven't chronoed it but a load that was higher went 1600 fps so I should be in the 1400 to 1450 range.

With cast bullets I seat so I can keep at least 2 lube grooves in the case. I first size the 458 bullets in a Lyman and lube them in a 458 die and then run then through a .451 die that causes the bullets to come out on the nose at .452"

Just as a side note I have sized down 405 gr. Rem jacketed 45/70 bullets and also the 400 gr Speer jacketed bullet and they make a good looking cartridge for sure. 1500 to 1550 is possible with these.

I like my 454 Casull Encore barrel and it is fun to use these loads.

Duffy · « **Reply #4 on:** August 31, 2003, 06:28:23 AM »

Meplat, That's exactly what I had in mind! I have a Lyman 405 FN mold actually two, one has a little larger flat on the nose than the other. Years ago I sized some of them down and loaded them in my 45 colt. Chronoed at 925 and I'd swear would knock a train off the tracks.

I have a 330 grain LFN-GC mold for my SRH 454 but am dissapointed with the vel out of the SRH @ 1525 max.(its the gun not the bullet) A well designed heavy bullet for that bbl should be good Elk medicine. How's your accuracy with the factory bbl?

For some reason I'm feeling another bbl purchace coming......

Ryan

MePlat · « **Reply #5 on:** August 31, 2003, 08:06:58 AM »

Duffy: The accuracy with the factory barrel is better than I can hold a hangun in field shooting positions. Much toodoo has been made over accuracy of this barrel and that barrel by many people selling a custom product. Yes, I have a few custom barrels too.

In bench shooting I have been witness to several people that could shoot the tiny groups off a sandbagged bench but when you got them up off their behinds and had them shoot from field positions they couldn't on average hit a bull in the behind with the barrel stuck up the bulls

?? You know what I mean.

I generally work up a load and if I can manage decent groups offhand I figure I have a good load.

I remember what the Late Great Elmer Keith told me during one of the many phone conversations I had with him years ago when I asked him what his 4 inch M29 work gun would do group wise at 100 yds on target. (He carried a M29 4" daily)

He said hell I haven't shot that gun on paper since just shortly after I got it (which had to be in the very late 50's). He said he sighted it in and he had killed coyotes at a 1/4 mile, mule deer at 250 to 300 yds, flying fish, flying birds, lots of varmints, and trotting stray housecats at 300 yds with it and that was good enough for him.

I can't do what Elmer Keith did so I figure what is good enough for my Hero is good enough for me.

If I can hit mostly what I shoot at offhand and ocassionally off a rest then I am happy.

Get you a 500 gr Lee GC mold and try it. I think you will like it.

Have a good day.

Duffy · « **Reply #6 on:** August 31, 2003, 04:49:28 PM »

Thanks for the info!
As a side note there is a fella from around here that went to see Elmer. He said while they were sitting at his house a robin flew up and landed in the tree. Elmer drew his trusty 44 and that was the end of the robin. His reply was "cant stand those damn noisy birds"

Pretty tough act to follow!
The man had talent indeed.
Seems the people of that era were more proficient with the things they did, I had a uncle that could shoot horse turds out of the sky with a 22 pump rifle after he threw them in the air. He was very accurate with a fly pole too. Even in his late 80's he was still a pretty good shot with his browning 22. I guess we all need to slow down and just practice.

Best Regards

Ryan