1st attempt to load 454 Casull

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Iwsbull

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Loaded with the starting load from the Hodgdon site. They listed a touch over 1900 FPS as velocity with about a 9 1/2” barrel I managed about 100 FPS slower at 1828 with a 7 1/2” barrel and great accuracy. 3 shot groups under an inch at 50 yards off a rest and with a 2x Leupold scope, learned to flinch the same way every shot.
I was a bit concerned as I read a lot about people getting squibs but everything went great. I am happy with the velocity and ecstatic with the accuracy I was planning on running up the ladder, and I probably will, but it will be hard to beat the 36.1 grain load of H110.
 
I became a much better shot with my Super Redhawk after I got away from H110. Was like a grenade going off 3 feet from my face. Even with doubled up ear protection and sunglasses, the flinch was unstoppable.

Getting close to 40 and have lost the zeal of my youth. Guns that put me in pain every shot just aren't fun to me anymore.

Anyway, try some AA#9 for something less intense. Much more likeable recoil impulse.
 
I became a much better shot with my Super Redhawk after I got away from H110. Was like a grenade going off 3 feet from my face. Even with doubled up ear protection and sunglasses, the flinch was unstoppable.

Getting close to 40 and have lost the zeal of my youth. Guns that put me in pain every shot just aren't fun to me anymore.

Anyway, try some AA#9 for something less intense. Much more likeable recoil impulse.

Agree. I like the occasional "grenade at arms length" but the majority of what leaves my 7.5" SRH are .45 Colt +P.
 
6EBF5CBB-7BF0-4D00-AA49-02BB4CD8C26F.jpeg C9C8A81D-DC0C-4AA8-A539-5156EB380138.jpeg A Super Redhawk with a Houge Tamer grip and I will suggest these gloves from Harbor Freight. When I bought it it had the old hard as a rock grips that I shot and really began to question my decision to purchase said gun. After those changes it really is fun to shoot.
I wish I were only 40. I have only fired either factory Hornady 240 or my own at said load. If I want to back off I use my 44 with a 265 grain swc at about 1270.
 
Not trying to dissuade you from working up the ladder a bit (that’s half the fun) with the H110 but I think you have reached a sweet spot with the accuracy and velocity. I am loading 240 grain Hornady’s with 37.5 grains of H110, they are cooking at 1737 FPS average with a 34 FPS deviation from high to low velocities out of a 10 shot string from a Ruger Super Blackhawk with a 6.5” barrel. It is accurate enough out to 25 yards without a rest or scope but I am going to give some 325 grain gas checked lead flat points a try with 26 grains of H110 just to tone it down a bit.
 
I figure I probably got lucky with the first loading as far as accuracy and that one is book.
I am thinking about going with cast and thinking about the Accurate 290 grain Keith style powdercoated and plain base. Will have to see how well they hold up and if I have to gas check to run them up.
I imagine with 37.5 grains that it gets your attention when you touch it off. Let me know how your new endeavor works I am very interested in it.
 
Loaded with the starting load from the Hodgdon site. They listed a touch over 1900 FPS as velocity with about a 9 1/2” barrel I managed about 100 FPS slower at 1828 with a 7 1/2” barrel and great accuracy. 3 shot groups under an inch at 50 yards off a rest and with a 2x Leupold scope, learned to flinch the same way every shot.
I was a bit concerned as I read a lot about people getting squibs but everything went great. I am happy with the velocity and ecstatic with the accuracy I was planning on running up the ladder, and I probably will, but it will be hard to beat the 36.1 grain load of H110.
It's very rare to find such a great load first try but it seems you did here. This happened to me only once with a rifle load from the Lyman manual. Sounds like you got lucky, cool! Very nice set up in the picture. One thing, with 1800+ fps I would not worry about a squib, really lol.

"learned to flinch the same way every shot."
That right there made me laugh for real. Funny stuff!
 
When I first read about the .454 Casull in the '70s it featured what was referred to as a "triplex" load ... cartridges loaded with three different propellants (separated by spacers, IIRC) that supported a progressive increase in the bullet speed on its trip down the bore.

When I first read about this my first thought was, ":what:OUCH!" ... my second thought was ":eek:OUCH!" ... my third was that this must be a compressed load ... my fourth, that these cartridges would not "travel well", considering that vibration during transport would be their enemy.

Anyway ...

Is anyone here still handloading "triplex" (or even "duplex") loads for their .454 Casull?

Just wond'ring. :)
 
I don't think those loads were ever commercial available, I think they were only used during development of the cartridge since at the time we didn't have the powders we now have. I could be wrong, my memory on this is vague.
 
I would be concerned that as you said traveling with a mixed charge might be similar to Russian roulette.
And thank you the guy that I bought it from got bit on his second shot and shelved it.
 
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