Author Topic: 45 LC bullets in 454 Casull brass  (Read 1733 times)

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Offline brasshead

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45 LC bullets in 454 Casull brass
« on: February 20, 2010, 01:33:34 AM »
I noticed while looking in the midway catalog some of the companys listed 454 bullets and 45LC bullets, some were the same size some were not. Some were listed as .451 and otheres as .452  Is there any real differance between the two ?  Will 45LC bullets work just fine in 454 brass?  ??? I think they are the same but maybe different in construction for higher speeds and penatration.

I have about 400  230gr .452 round nose  that I use for my ruger and was hoping to use them in some 454 brass. What say you all knowing and kind folks? :D


Offline cwlongshot

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Re: 45 LC bullets in 454 Casull brass
« Reply #1 on: February 20, 2010, 02:43:16 AM »
The only difference is the construction as you suspect. 451/2 is of little consiquence in most guns. Try it in yours and see if it has a preferance...

CW
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Offline Terbltim

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Re: 45 LC bullets in 454 Casull brass
« Reply #2 on: March 21, 2010, 10:19:20 AM »
There are some significant differences in the various 45 caliber handgun bullets and the thing that matters most is what (??) kind of load-performance you are looking for.
Most of the bullet weights that are 230gr and below are actually manufactured and intended for use in the 45ACP, which means they are made for velocities around 800-fps.
Jacketed bullets:
In most cases the size (.451" or .452") won't make any difference that you'll be able to detect. Very few jacketed bullets are available in larger sizes and they're mostly from custom bullet makers.
Those in the common sizes range from okay to excellent in 45 Colt and/or the 454 Casull as long as the velocities don't exceed 1400-fps. (The Gurus have been saying this for many years and my experiments show them to be correct.)
That said, you can get some mighty fine shooting for cheap by using those bullets 'cause they are cheaper than bullets made for the magnum velocities.
If you just have to have velocities greater than 1400-fps I can only recommend the bullets that were made for that power.
The main exception to that rule is the 250gr weight. These are "usually" made for the 45 Colt at "factory" power (around 900-fps or less.) You'll help yourself to observe the same 1400-fps speed limit with them.
Lead Bullets:
Nearly all lead bullets made at 250gr or less are "soft lead" unless they specify that the are "hard cast".
If it doesn't say 'hard cast" you are advised to keep velocity under 1000-fps, (I'd personally say under 900-fps or you'll collect lead in your barrels at an annoying rate.)
For "hard cast" I still wouldn't go faster than 1200-fps unless you have gone to some effort to make your gun suitable for cast-bullet shooting, (they don't come from the factory in a lead-friendly state.)
If you don't want to go to the trouble of tuning your handguns for lead bullets the Laser Cast bullets from Oregon Trail, (also offered by Midway,) are the most forgiving cast bullets I've tried.
They are excellent at most velocities you might care to try and are competitively priced.
If you go to their web site the price you see includes shipping...and its a decent price.
To get top [hi-power] performance with cast bullets you are advised to educate yourself on what is needed to make your gun suitable for using cast bullets.
All of this can be applied to the 454 Casull brass & guns with the same stipulations.

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Offline dpe.ahoy

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Re: 45 LC bullets in 454 Casull brass
« Reply #3 on: March 21, 2010, 03:41:50 PM »
The lighter constructed jacketed bullets can cause pressure spikes at Casull pressures.  Keep the pressure down and you should be ok, take note of what the guys above said ref: speed.  Freedom Arms used to sell jacketed bullets for that reason until the bullet makers caught up.  Hornady makes two weights for the Casull, 240 gr XTP-MAG and the 300 XTP-Mag.  DP
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Offline brasshead

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Re: 45 LC bullets in 454 Casull brass
« Reply #4 on: March 28, 2010, 03:26:04 PM »
Thanks guys I've been working a lot didn't mean to be gone so long. I have only got to shoot the gun once and that was with 45LC rounds. I did buy some Hornady 250 xtp bullets but they are not mags. Do you think these would be ok for deer. I am thinking maybe just loading hot 45LC rounds since i have all the makings.

Offline cwlongshot

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Re: 45 LC bullets in 454 Casull brass
« Reply #5 on: March 29, 2010, 12:49:08 AM »
Thanks guys I've been working a lot didn't mean to be gone so long. I have only got to shoot the gun once and that was with 45LC rounds. I did buy some Hornady 250 xtp bullets but they are not mags. Do you think these would be ok for deer. I am thinking maybe just loading hot 45LC rounds since I have all the makings.
Just don't push them too hard and you will be fine!

CW
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