Home Forums Reloading Handgun Reloading Reloading for .454 Casull with .45 Colt dies

I've got my eyes on a .454 Casull. I already load for .45 Colt and I think I remember reading somewhere that to keep from needing to adjust the dies every time just get 0.10" thick washers and screw the dies on top of them when using them for Casulls. Will that work?

Yes.

So I got my new Casull, a 6.5” BFR, and started to load for it today. I have some 300 grn Hornaday XTPs I decided to start with. For fun I tried to drop a bullet though each hole in the cylinder. Three of them stuck in the chambers, the other two whistled right on through. I checked the bullet’s diameter with my micrometer and it was right at 0.452” just like it says on the box.

Is there any use trying to shoot jacketed bullets with this thing? Anything I can do?

It will shoot fine, just make sure they chamber in loaded brass.

As a side note, did you actually measure them with a micrometer or was it your dial calipers?

A lead slug tapped through each chamber will give exact diameters but a dial caliper won't be as precise as a 1 inch micrometer.

BFR's are pretty uniform and I would venture you are looking at .0005 or less variance. If its more than that I would check with MRI for a replacement cylinder.

Giving the gun a good workout and cleaning it may help a bit.
It probably shoots better than I do...

Yes, what I used was dial calipers. I guess I’ll find out today if the wind calms down just a bit. Thanks for the info.

I cant remember what Hornady .45s mic they are about the fattest, but Sierra and Noslers were always less usually .4515 on a one inch mic.

Their rifle bullets are generally around .0005 fatter too.

That works fine. That is what I do. No need to adjust the sizing die; just the flaring and seating dies.

Be careful using straight xtp's in the 454 with the top end loads. Bad things CAN happen as the standard xtp was designed for 45 colt type velocities. The XTP MAG was designed for the higher velocity. Its a bit of an issue more so on the 240s, but still should be mentioned

I thought xtps would just expand too quickly at high velocities and the mags just had a more controlled expansion at high velocity is there other reasons not to use the regular xtps.

Excessive base obturation from greater pressure creates more friction; in turn the core and jacket can separate and create even more pressure.

Sierra has a pressure/velocity limit on their 300 grain SP in their manual as well.

Freedom Arms developed a specific soft point in their ammo and components when the cartridge came out.

Also use a chrono. For example, .452" slugs went 200 fps faster in my .454 than .4515" slugs with the same powder charge. Half a thousandth can make a big difference. Of course, YMMV.

Jacket can seperate in the barrel according to hornady. You can get the info straight from them

This

Thank you, I did not know that.

No problem and welcome to the fire!