Need recommendations for a tough scope

[Jeremiah Johnson]

I just got my first Freedom Arms pistol. It's a field grade 454 Casull that I bought used.  This is the first time I've owned anything bigger than a 44 mag, so I have a few questions concerning my gun.

I want to put a variable power scope on this gun and I think the Burris 2-7  or the Bushnell 3200 2-6 look pretty good, but I'm open to other suggestions also.  My main concern is finding a scope that will hold up under the recoil of the 454.  I know the Leupolds are about the best out there, but I just cant afford their scopes.  I plan on using the T'SOB mount.  I just can't afford to make the wrong choice, so I have to get it right the first time around.

I'm also wondering about which bullets to use in my loads.  I have heard that with Hornady's XTPs you should use the "mag" designated bullets in the 454 because they can handle the higher velocities/pressures.  Well, my dad has a box of 250 gr. XTPs (not the mags) and the piece of paper that came in the box says they can be loaded to 1700 fps.  Would they be suitable for use as long as my loads do not exceed that mark?

Thanks for any help you can give me.

[TScottO]

JD Jones recommends Bushnell for his hand cannons. If the Bushnell scopes will take the recoil of his guns then they should be well suited for your FA.

As far as reloading: In one of the previous threads it was mentioned a guy cracked his barrel using standard XTPs. I’m not saying they will not work at the advertised velocities but it’s a real good idea to stay away from them all together. If you get them mixed up with the XTP mags on your loading bench it would be real easy to screw up. My advice is to stay away from them all together.

I personally use Gas Checked hardcast bullets for the 454. Led bullets are much more cost effective to burn and I don’t see much need for an expanding bullet with bigbore handguns. I also don’t see the need to load them to full power except satisfy the occasional urge for heavy recoil.

Take Care and Be Safe,
Scott

[Redhawk1]

I have the Bushnell on mine. I ran over 200 rounds through it in a week and not a problem.  

[Jeremiah Johnson]

Scott,
Yeah, I will probably end up using a hard cast bullet for my hunting loads anyway.  I have always used Cast Perf. gas checks for my hot 44 mag loads and have had good results with them.  Have you tried the 360 or 370 gr. WLNGC from CP in your 454?  I'm just wondering if they're too long for the FA cylinder. They're probably a lot more bullet than what I need anyway. What is your favorite cast bullet for the 454?

Regarding the Bushnell, the reason I was even considering it is because I saw what you were referring to on the SSK website.
Thanks again.

[TScottO]

I don’t have any experience with the heavies in the 454. My three 454 loads all consist of 300 gr bullets. My approach to reloading is relatively simple and boring. I reload so I can shoot more for the same money. For big bore guns I usually work up three loads with the same bullet: plinking load, midrange load and a close to top end load.

I do not know if the long heavy bullets run out of chamber room or not. If they do you can seat the bullets deeper but cut back on your charge respectively due to a reduction in case volume. If I have time tomorrow I’ll try to find my information on the heavy bullets, all my stuff is in storage at the moment. If not I’ll do some fuzzy math with mic and some bullet specification data to get a rough idea if they’ll work or not.

Take Care,
Scott

[Dusty Miller]

The Leupold 2X on my FA 454 went back to the shop for repair three times and it didn't cost me a dime.  I'm going to try a Burris Posi-Lok for my next handgun scope (I guess I'm not much on brand loyalty!).

[Jeremiah Johnson]

My dad has a Burris 2-7 with the posi-lock on his SBH hunter in 44 mag.  I really like his scope, especially the ballistic-plex reticle.  For some reason when he was shooting groups at 100 yds. with the posi-lock tightened his shots were all over the place but we tried it with the lock off and it grouped much better.  So far his scope has held up fine after shooting lots of heavy rounds with the posi lock off.

[MS Hitman]

I like all Burris scopes, except the ones with Posi-Lock on them.  My .454 has been wearing the same 2-6 Elite 3200 for the past couple of years and it continues to function flawlessly.  

I occassionally shoot the 250 grain XTPs from my .454, but I won't drive them over 1600 fps.  My heavy loads are either FA brand bullets, the Mag XTPs, or hard cast in the 300 grain range.

[myronman3]

Well, my dad has a box of 250 gr. XTPs (not the mags) and the piece of paper that came in the box says they can be loaded to 1700 fps. Would they be suitable for use as long as my loads do not exceed that mark?

quite a while ago, graybeard himself warned me of the dangers of using the 250 grain xtp's in the casull.  concerned, i contacted hornady and one of their engineers told me not to take them over 1500 fps.   so they can be used, but you had better be sure of the exact velocity your load is posting.  it is a better idea just to use the "mags" instead.  i used 300 grain cast @ 1500 fps and this did great.   punched right through a old county snowplow, leaving a full inch hole in it's wake.   :eek:

[oso45-70]

Jeremiah,

Congratulations on your choice of handguns,,, You have purchased the very best and the most accurate handgun. Its only fitting that you buy the very best scope out there. The ones that come to mind would be Leupold Next would be Burris, Not to knock any of the rest but the service you would get from those two is worth the money.Good luck.......Joe......

[Jeremiah Johnson]

Today I loaded some of the 250 gr. XTPs over some Tightgroup.  This load was in Hodgdon's manual and if I recall correctly the velocity listed was around 1200 fps.  I have some 300 gr. XTP Mags  and 300 gr. Speer Gold Dots on the way, but just wanted to try these 250s for a "plinking" load until I can load the mags up ahead of some H110 and see what the Casull can really do. :twisted:

This being my first time loading/shooting the 454 I'm really just experimenting with different loads and bullets.  I like shooting hard casts, but since I will only be hunting deer and don't need a lot of penetration I'm wondering if a JHP would be better.

All opinions/comments are welcome.

[oso45-70]

Jeremiah,

I don't have any experience with the xtp bullets at all. I use hard cast bullets gas checked or some bullets i ordered from Freedom Arms, They are the 300 gr jfp---352 dia, They are a little costly but they do a great job, not much fouling and seem to be accurate. Like i said they cost an arm and a leg but i buy them by the 1000 ct. I suppose the xtp.s would be ok for thin skined animals just never tried them in my 454. Also the 300 gr Freedom Arms bullets arn't bad to foul the barrel which is another plus.
Have a good one.........Joe.........