Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles 454 Casull primers

Hey folks,

Maybe not the right place to post this, but since there's no handgun reloading forum....

I'm wondering what people are using primer wise in 454 with W296 powder? From the data I've seen non-magnum primers are spec'd with this powder in this cartridge. This seems strange to me since in virtually every other cartridge using heavy W296 loads a magnum primer is used. Any comments?

I've been using CCI 400 (non-magnum) primers (as the books specify) with no problems so I have no reason to change. But, I'm still curious as to why the 454 would be the only cartridge to require a non-magnum primer with this powder.

Isn't that 400 a small rifle primer? If so it may have more juice than even a small magnum pistol primer which you usually see with H110 or 296.

mathman

400 is a small rifle primer. CCI also offers a 450 which is a small rifle magnum.

I hadn't considered the relative 'juice' between the pistol and rifle primers. You may have answered my question right there.

Rifles typically = higher pressures, slower powders, bigger charges,stronger spriker falls, so a rifle primer with a longer, hotter "spark" and a heavier cup is in order for a revolver cartridge designed to operate at essentially rifle magnitudes.

the 454 operates at very high pressures for a "pistol" cartridge and most manuals do in fact recommend a small rifle primer. I typically use H110 and CCI 400s.

Thanks lefty, I understand the reasoning behind using a rifle primer (thicker cup) due to the high pressure. My main question was why a non-magnum primer is spec'd with powders that usually require a magnum primer.

I haven't tried any H110 yet but plan to. How are those loads working for you?

I tried several and had literally less than 3 fps spread in 10 rd strings with H110. I've shot Hornady and Swift bullets with excellent accuracy. I've shot two buffalo with an 1885 singleshot in 454, one with a 300 gr hornady and one with 300 gr swift a-frame. the aframe looks "picture perfect" and fractured the spine at the thoracic inlet (100 yds)

I don't have the encore anymore, but did shoot a couple mule deer with it and hornady factory loads. Can you say "overkill" ?

I'm mostly shooting 300 grain hard cast but have run some Hornady and Nosler partition HGs through it too. They've all been with W296 but I do plan on trying H110, Accurate #9, and VV powders at some point.

An 1885 in 454 sounds very cool! Thanks for the info.

let us know how you make out! What were you shooting ??

I probably could be talked into parting with it....

Aaackk! I didn't need to hear that...if I had the money I'd be more than interested.

So far I've only been shooting targets with it. It's been in the field plenty but only as a back up sidearm. Next season I plan on trying to actaully take some game with it (deer and maybe antelope if I'm really lucky).

N110 is a good powder to keep in mind for the 454, too. Very consistent and relatively temp stable. I have gone to it in my big bore/large case capacity calibers.

I've used it in 357 Mag with good results. I'll have to give it a try, thanks.

I started out with VV N110 in the 454 & it seems to be doing a fine job. I really need to scope the 15" Encore and chrono it, to really see what it's really capable of..