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I have been reloading for decades. I am now delving into reloading for pistols for the first time. I am having a difficult time finding consistent information with respect to reloading for the 454 Casull. Heck, I've even come up with sources where, for the same bullet, the starting load is a higher power charge than another sources maximum charge. I'm going to be using H110, at least to start with, and I know it has a narrow operating weight range. So, I'm not happy when I come across such discrepancies. As of now I intend to only use cast/hard cast bullets. Most of my standard manuals for rifles, which also contain handgun bullets are all about jacketed bullets. I will continue my online search. I'm just hoping some other 454 guys can provide their best or favorite resources, whether that be manufacturer sites, other websites or printed manuals. As with everything else reloading, I like multiple resources. Thanks in advance. I will be moving into the 44 mag. 45LC and 357/38 also with cast/hard cast bullets after I get through the starting process of the 454.


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Stick with the specific bullet maker recommendations. I'm inclined to mix 'n' match with other calibers, not with .454. With the .454 it is sometimes not so much about absolute pressure and the gun as it is about the specific bullet's ability to handle that pressure when it is passing through the forcing cone. That even varies within maker. You can't run both Speer 300 grain bullets to the same pressure. You can't run both Hornady 300 grain bullets to the same pressure.


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Adding to the confusion, (as Tom pointed out), is load data is often split into different maximum pressures. Some of it will be to 45Kpsi, but almost none will be to 65Kpsi.
It is a cartridge that can tear the jacket off a bullet, which is why loadings are very bullet specific.

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As mentioned in regards to projectile construction also applies to pistol design/construction.

40-50K loads fired through a Ruger,Taurus or S&W dbl/single action,can not be resized to fit in the c'bored cylinders of a Freedom Arms revolver.

H110
WW296
Accurate #9
Hodgdon Lil Gun
powders perform well in the 454 Casull.


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I have a SRH 7.5” and when I tried 300gr. Xtp mags loaded to max the cases stuck in the cyl. But all the other bullets I’ve tried with max loads (Speer, Sierra, CP) worked fine.
But I do remember reading somewhere that the steel Ruger uses on the cylinders with the SRH 454 expands and contracts when fired and that’s what caused the sticky cases.

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I've loaded for several Freedom Arms 454's and have used the load data on their site with good results. They list data for a variety of powders and pressure levels that may be useful to you.

Edit to add - their data is listed for their own jacketed bullets so maybe that isn't what your after. I currently load for a FA 83 454 and only shoot cast bullets anymore and don't load for maximum velocity. I use more 4227 and HS 6 than any other powder...

Last edited by JGray; 12/07/19.
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I use enough 4227 to power a 300gr cast performance flat nosed gas check to a very accurate and clean burning 1350 fps, recoil is very nice in the big FA revolver, and it'll shoot through anything I'd ever point it at, I also use CCI-450 SRM primers.


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Lymans cast bullet reloading manual is a good source.

Oregon Trail cast bullets has a manual.

Hodgdon's on line manual is another source. https://www.hodgdon.com/warning/


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One question...what gun do you have?

I had a FA 83 from 1999 to 2003+-. Most of my loads were in the "moderate" range looking for accuracy vs. maximum speed. Once velocities get over 1500 fps recoil gets to the point where shooting is unpleasant.

Ended up getting an identical gun in .41 Magnum and living happily ever after...


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There's lots of good information so far and I appreciate the input. Most of it I have already found. I guess I just need to experiment. To answer your question RJM, it is a Ruger Toklat. It's just interesting there is a larger amount of conflicting information than any other round for which I have ever loaded. I like the Lyman 4th edition. Even it is now a decade old. I do like Hodgdon's website. I guess one needs to weed through it and just make determinations of "similar bullets" and then be cautious. Freedom Arms has a great bit of information; but, even then, they are very FA specific, for the most part, for both bullets and revolvers. In addition to hand loading for the 454 being new to me, loading cast bullets is also new to me. It's a good thing I like being educated.


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Originally Posted by HeavyLoad
I have a SRH 7.5” and when I tried 300gr. Xtp mags loaded to max the cases stuck in the cyl. But all the other bullets I’ve tried with max loads (Speer, Sierra, CP) worked fine.
But I do remember reading somewhere that the steel Ruger uses on the cylinders with the SRH 454 expands and contracts when fired and that’s what caused the sticky cases.


I think someone on the internet is very mistaken about expansion and contraction. I own three 454 revolvers, Super Redhawk, Blackhawk and Freedom Arms. I have yet to find a load under 62,000 in the Redhawk which results in the conditions you describe.

Here is a very informative article on the metallurgy of the steels used in a 454 Redhawk

http://www.modernapplicationsnews.com/articles/m0401stainless.htm


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I’m glad all your 454’s shoot good.
But im not the only one that has had a SRH 454 with sticky cylinders. It’s a well noted occurrence.



Originally Posted by Lennie
Originally Posted by HeavyLoad
I have a SRH 7.5” and when I tried 300gr. Xtp mags loaded to max the cases stuck in the cyl. But all the other bullets I’ve tried with max loads (Speer, Sierra, CP) worked fine.
But I do remember reading somewhere that the steel Ruger uses on the cylinders with the SRH 454 expands and contracts when fired and that’s what caused the sticky cases.


I think someone on the internet is very mistaken about expansion and contraction. I own three 454 revolvers, Super Redhawk, Blackhawk and Freedom Arms. I have yet to find a load under 62,000 in the Redhawk which results in the conditions you describe.

Here is a very informative article on the metallurgy of the steels used in a 454 Redhawk

http://www.modernapplicationsnews.com/articles/m0401stainless.htm

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Just do a google search for ruger super redhawk 454 sticky cylinders.
All kinds of testimony

Last edited by HeavyLoad; 12/09/19.
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Originally Posted by JGray
I use more 4227 and HS 6 than any other powder...

JGray, do you find the 4227 and HS 6 to be more "flexible" in loading for the 454 than H110/WW296? I ask because, after significant research, it is "near consensus" that H110/WW296 is THE go-to powder for the 454. However, 110 and 296 don't seem to have very much flexibility in working to the load one may want to attain. Based on my research, these powers should never be loaded below about 96% load density. I see different numbers; but, 96% seems to be about standard recommendation in addition up to and even including 100% (bullet seated on the powder). So nobody starts debating the issue, I have also researched enough to understand the reasoning behind it.

For everybody's edification, I don't intend to chase maximum velocity. If one does, it is clear that H110/WW296 are the powders to use. Are 4227 and HS 6 more flexible toward the end of getting to where one wants to be?

I don't want to get in to the debate of "well, why don't you just shoot a 45 Colt". I do have and do shoot a 45 LC. I'm not seeking to necessarily get to Long Colt loads. However, it appears to me, through my research, that the optimum velocity I wish to obtain, shooting 340 to 360 grain bullets, is around 1200 fps, give or take 50 fps. I have not loaded and thus have not chronographed the speed of any loads. It just seems with the recommended densities of H110/WW296, one would not have a lot of flexibility or room to move to test where one wants to be. I am open to the fact that my research and understanding are wrong.

Last edited by TheBigSky; 12/11/19.

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I had some issues with HS-6 in my Ruger (Super Blackhawk Bisley) .454. The lower pressure loads were leaving a few unburned or partially burned kernels. That gun is so tight that those were enough to tie up the gun making the cylinder difficult to turn. It has no issue with factory ammo or full pressure ammo with Win296. When I return to lighter loads some time in the future I'm going to look into cleaner burning powders. I like 2400, 4227, and HS-6, but all leave some "crud" behind and my gun does not like "crud."

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It is interesting that when researching 454 handloading for cast bullets that the lion's share of the information seems to be people who wish to hotrod lighter bullets. Don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with that and it appears that was Mr. Casull's original intent, a powerful and relatively long range, flat shooting, hunting handgun.

Anyway, my goal, as alluded to above is to be able to shoot heavies (340+ grains) in a potentially defensive situation. Mr. Marshall Stanton of Beartooth Bullets did me the courtesy of a phone call last night in response to my e-mail. I thought I owed it to the forum to at least share his recommended data for the Beartooth 340 grain LFNGC at or around 1200 fps.

His suggestions:
18 grains of 2400 which should be around 1150 fps in my Toklat, to
20 grains of 2400 which should be around 1250 fps in my Toklat.

He also suggested, as an alternative, to get to my desired results, to start with 9 grains of Unique and go from there. I post this in hopes that it could help others similarly situated looking for similar loads.

If anybody can provide load information for bullets and powder combinations which work with 325, 340 and 360 grain bullets at or around the 1100 to 1300 fps mark, I know I and I assume others would appreciate it.

Every load suggestion I received, including those from bullet manufacturers are checked by me against as close as possible published data out there, including cross referencing multiple online sources such as this forum.


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Originally Posted by gunner500
I use enough 4227 to power a 300gr cast performance flat nosed gas check to a very accurate and clean burning 1350 fps, recoil is very nice in the big FA revolver, and it'll shoot through anything I'd ever point it at, I also use CCI-450 SRM primers.


That said, I did find a box of 50 and a shell belt with my old hellbender load for my FA 454, it's the 335gr Cast Performance WFNGC at 1586 fps powered along with WW-296, that's the damn load that caused me to have to send my revolver back to FA for a new set of grips, they began to splinter at the grip frame, not fun! smile


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Saw this discussion while researching for a good reduced cast load for bear SD. It's been 1 1/2 years since the post but with Covid thought you may still be working on this so here's what I've found in loading for the 454.
I'm loading for Cast Performance 360 WLN. When crimped in the groove 100% density for H110 is abount 26 grains.
Load is for Freedom Arms M83 which has a slow 24" twist rate and it may not stabilize bullets heavier than 360.
The only data for heavy cast I've found is Hodgdon and their max load is 24 grains which is where I started out as it's 92% load density and I don't want to go lower and increase chances of a squib load. Tried 25 grains for 96% load density and it made a noticable increase in recoil. My previously loads have all been upper end jacketed loads with H110 Rem 7 1/2 primers and FA brass. Using Hornady 45LC dies and a Redding profile crimp die I've never had any squib load (don't recall shooting in winter though.
454 dies are recommended because they size the cases smaller to (in conjunction with a heavy crimp) keep the bullets from moving during recoil and makes for more consistent ignition. The Lee factory crimp dies are apparently an alternative to the profile crimp die so with either one you'll be seating and crimping in 2 steps. The Remington primers are what the Freedom Arms load data uses. The original Freedom Arms brass had large pistol primers and some reloaders have cut down 460 brass to 454 length and reported better results with H110 and large pistol than using the small rifle magnum primers.
I'm sure you've found in your research that the heavy cast don't need to go over 1300fps to be effective and going faster may be counter productive.

So H110 is faster than I want and so it kicks more and is going to make shot recovery slower, it also is high flash.
I want low flash so when I'm camping in a tent I won't be blinded from a shot at night.
In my research I've determined N110 is the powder that meets all my requirements. Low flash, can be downloaded, provides the velocity and has the side benefit of being clean. No load data for heavy cast but I've extrapolated that 18 grains would be a safe starting load and would be about 88% load density with 20.5 grains being 100% with that 360 grain bullet.
Of course the shelves are bare at the sporting goods store so I'm having to use what I have on hand. Blue Dot is the right burn rate for the velocity but high flash. 2400 can be reduced but is also high flash. #9 has had the same problem with squib loads from reduced charges. IMR or H4227 can be reduced is lower flash so it's what I'm going to try, although it's not the cleanest.
Herco, Unique, CFE Pistol, and others may work for 1100 fps or so. I'm aiming for 1300fps.
Load data for this cartridge does have inconsistencies from source to source and some is just bad. The lower charges of H110/WW296 should be done away with. I've seen high pressure loads with bullets that aren't designed for it and that can wear and or crack the forcing cone. Also Lil Gun has been attributed to forcing cone wear and gas cutting of the top strap on revolvers. That's all I've got, hope some of this is useful.

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Good first post!

Welcome to the 'fire!


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