This summer, I worked up a new load for my FA .454 Casull, for a fall hunt for hogs and red deer. It uses the Hornady XTP Mag., 240 gr., ahead of 20 gr. of HS-6 powder, which gives me 1650 fps. MV out of my 10" revolver. This is maybe 250-300 fps slower than some full-power factory loads, but recoil is very manageable, and very accurate. I also loaded up Barnes and some old factory Freedom arms bullets, but got my best accuracy with the Hornadys.
Last week, I shot a red deer hind at 55 yards, behind the shoulder. She took 4 or 5 steps, and piled up. Bullet passed through, no big surprise.
A couple of days later, I made a 50 yard shot on an 80 lb. meat hog, also just behind the shoulder. It made a 10-yard run and piled up, tail over head, dead.
This is only a sample of two critters, but it's now hard to imagine using anything else for nearly all game I intend to hunt with the Casull. I also doubt I will ever again shoot, or hunt with, full-power .454 ammo!
