Author Topic: 454 Casull data needed (Read 808 times)

Varmint Hunter · « **on:** November 10, 2005, 03:23:09 PM »

I bought some 265gr hard cast bullets from Cast Performance. I intended to use them on whitetails in my 454 SRH. However, I can't seem to find any data for them. Most data for the hard cast bullets in this caliber starts with the 300grainers which is much heavier than I want to use for deer.

Got any loading suggestions?

MS Hitman · « **Reply #1 on:** November 10, 2005, 04:38:51 PM »

Why don't you contact Cast Performance directly and ask them? Kelly most likely has the information you are looking for.

Biscuits · « **Reply #2 on:** November 11, 2005, 07:05:29 AM »

Nothin wrong with 300 grainers either. Thats what I use.
Are you wanting to load that lighter bullet to a real high velocity? The 300 grainers are surprisingly flat shooting within pistol ranges(under 200yrds)

Varmint Hunter · « **Reply #3 on:** November 11, 2005, 07:30:36 AM »

I am not looking for real high velocity. I just don't believe that killing whitetails requires a heavy bullet from the 454. I would rather use the 265gr hard cast at average velocities than the 300gr+ bullets.

Camp Cook · « **Reply #4 on:** November 16, 2005, 04:54:26 AM »

C/P posts load data on their web site.

a45gunslinger · « **Reply #5 on:** November 18, 2005, 08:07:46 AM »

Are the hard cast bullets better than say, a Hornady XTP from what i understand hardcast penatrate very well, like a FMJ , but are they needed for deer size game?? I currently am in the process of finding the right load for my SRH and have settled on the 300grn XTP have I made a Mistake :?

Lone Star · « **Reply #6 on:** November 18, 2005, 09:43:05 AM »

No, you have not. There are two schools of thought on hunting bullets from revolvers; one school thinks you need good expansion, the other believes that a large initial diameter and deeper penetration are where it's at. I've used both, and IMO for deer, expansion wins out over no expansion, regardless of nose shape. A 300 grain XTP MAG will work very well. Just don't use the standard 300 XTP if loading to top .454 velocities....too much expansion.

a45gunslinger · « **Reply #7 on:** November 18, 2005, 11:01:55 AM »

Thanks Lonestar!

Camp Cook · « **Reply #8 on:** November 18, 2005, 12:01:26 PM »

Not only would the standard XTP's expand to much but the jacket on the bullets are to thin to withstand the velocity jump from the cylinder to the throat of the gun. This will eventually wear out the throat of your gun.

The XTP-Mag's have a thicker jacket and work great in a 454 Casull.

I load them in my 7.5" SRH with 31grs H110 powder & Rem 7.5 primers. I use 45 Colt RCBS dies then a 1 1/4 turn setting with my Lee factory crimp die for the crimp.

Excellent accurate load that gives me a 1580fps average velocity.

The hard cast's would work fine as well.

For whitetail how about a 240gr XTP-Mag with 38grs of H110, Rem 7.5 primers and a 1 1/4 turn crimp adjustment which gives me an average velocity of 1880fps.

SRH's are actually very easy to load for. You know when you're pushing to much pressures when your cases start to get sticky extraction. This does not mean that you are getting to high of pressures for the gun. What is happening is the metal used for the cylinder is expanding and the contracting onto the expanded brass. This metal is exceptionally strong but is known to expand resulting is stuck cases before you reach the pressure limits of the SRH & the 454 Casall case.

I have more data for heavier bullets if your interested.

Good luck

a45gunslinger · « **Reply #9 on:** November 18, 2005, 03:17:26 PM »

Thanks CC,
I've tried the 240's also using h110 with good results but for what ever reason i've got a bunch of 300's I think I read somewhere that the 454 is more accurate eith the heavier bullets. so I thought i'd loadem up ..what kind of accuracy are you getting with either load. I can't seem to get any better than a 5" group at a 100 yds. I'm starting to think my scope is failing me it's a T/C scope with alot of mass to it. Maybe the recoil is to much for it? oh well whats one more thing to work out :roll:

Camp Cook · « **Reply #10 on:** November 18, 2005, 04:17:13 PM »

Sorry I can't help much there because I only use iron sights but I have recorded 25 yard groups of 1" with both loads. I don't know what these loads are really capable of with a scope.

CC

Varmint Hunter · « **Reply #11 on:** November 20, 2005, 04:14:10 PM »

Cast Performance doesn't list data for the 265gr bullet in the 454. I sent them an email and have yet to receive a response.

The XTP-Mag bullet is said to be so stoutly constructed that it acts like a solid when hitting target of little resistance like whitetails. Anyone have personal experience on this?

I'm fine with jacketed expanding bullets for whitetails. I ordered the CP hardcast to see how well they would shoot compared to the jacketed bullets that I am using. Either would be more than enough from the 454. Actually, I was thinking about loading the cartridge down and using the 250gr XTP for deer.

a45gunslinger · « **Reply #12 on:** November 20, 2005, 05:04:25 PM »

Varmint hunter, some of the most accurate loads i've made were the 250grn.xtp Loaded to 1500fps
Kevin

I use the hornady bullets in both my .44 and .357 both have killed without a prob. I went to the .454 for a littlr added range

454PB · « **Reply #13 on:** November 27, 2005, 10:18:43 AM »

I like Alliant Bluedot for reduced loads in my .454's. I've recently been using Hodgdon Lil'Gun for maximum effort loads, and it also works well at reduced velocity. Not so H-110 or WW 296, you can get hangfires or worse with reduced loads. I was experimenting with 250 grain XTP's and H-110 when I first bought my Freedom Arms 83 and got 100% hangfires.

If desired, the Bluedot will produce about 85% of full throttle velocities using a charge weight of 60% of the slow burners. Bluedot does require pressures up around 25K to burn well, so don't reduce too far.

myronman3 · « **Reply #14 on:** November 27, 2005, 02:07:32 PM »

Quote from: a45gunslinger

Varmint hunter, some of the most accurate loads i've made were the 250grn.xtp Loaded to 1500fps
Kevin

dont do it. g.b. advised me against doing so well over 2 years ago because the copper jacket is too thin for those velocities. i contacted hornady's engineers, and he confirmed what g.b. said. keep loading them to that velocity and you will ruin your gun.

MS Hitman · « **Reply #15 on:** November 27, 2005, 04:40:25 PM »

I found a sheet of load data from CP and they have a starting load of 32.0 grains of WW296 for the 265 grain bullet in the .454. Hope this helps.

myronman3 · « **Reply #16 on:** November 27, 2005, 07:19:19 PM »

http://www.freedomarms.com/loading.html

pretty good referance material here at f.a.'s site.

a45gunslinger · « **Reply #17 on:** November 30, 2005, 05:31:47 PM »

:eek: Glad you fellas are on your toes..the loads I made were 250xtp @ long colt velocities. Very accurate and fun to shoot

osceola · « **Reply #18 on:** December 06, 2005, 11:07:35 AM »

Here is post to review on expansion: http://www.graybeardoutdoors.com/phpnuke/modules.php?name=Reviews&rop=showcontent&id=18
I have used the Barnes XPB on whitetail as have several of my friends in the .454 configuration with excellent results. On the ever famous soaked telephone book expansion test(overnite floating in water then stood on end in a long narrow cardboard box), every petal opens, everytime. The bullet/petals stays intact with a wound channel in the soggy paper that opens from .454 to 2.5" then tapers back down. From memory, with a chronographed load of 1600fps, it began to rapidly open at 4", maximum expansion about 2" from that point and continued at maximum expansion for about 6-8" then back down to .454 for a total over all penetration of about 24".The hydraulics of this load in a whitetails boiler room is phenomenal. I have, as well as others I know, shot the xtp in 454, 240gr mag, 250gr and 300gr, sometime they open with a good exit, sometimes they act like hardcast.

RJM · « **Reply #19 on:** January 04, 2006, 03:09:42 PM »

Quote from: Varmint Hunter

I bought some 265gr hard cast bullets from Cast Performance. I intended to use them on whitetails in my 454 SRH. However, I can't seem to find any data for them. Most data for the hard cast bullets in this caliber starts with the 300grainers which is much heavier than I want to use for deer.

Got any loading suggestions?

I had a 6" Premire for several years and shot the 260 gr. CPBC bullet behind 35 grains of H110. Used the same load for the 260 grain Speer Mag. JHP. Both were very accurate and didn't kick as bad as the 300s did.

Bob