454 casull and cast bullets

[FLORIDA KEVIN]

Why does it seem that midpowered load data using cast bullets of 250-300 grains at velocities from 1300-1500 fps are difficult to find ? There are plenty of cast bullet loads for 300 - 400 grain bullets ! but very little in the midrange to light bullets ! i am looking for something like a 255 grain swc in Casull cases ! The ruger only colt loads are just shy of this range ! and nearly everything I have found for Casull cases uses jacketed bullets ? Any suggestions would be appreciated !

 

[Dasher]

I think it is due to the lead not handling the 454Casull pressures. Hence Speer make the 454 Gold dot with extra thick jackets.

 

[zxcvbob]

Use .44 magnum data, and work up from there. the .454 can handle 60000 psi, your not gonna hurt it unless you really try or do something stupid.

I've loaded 255 grain cast bullets in .45LC to over 1300 fps using 12.2 grains of WSF powder (I think this was safe in my Blackhawk, but I haven't loaded it that heavy again.) In your .454, try 13 to 14 grains of Unique, WSF, or Herco and you should be just about where you want with 250-ish grain lead bullets.

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Lyman's 48th reloading manual has cast bullet data for .454 Casull

255 grain SWC bullet (no gas check, cast from linotype):
Bullseye 13.0 grains, 1395 fps, 38000 CUP
Unique 14.2 grains, 1424 fps, 36400 CUP
2400 21.7 grains, 1441 fps, 25300 CUP
2400 27.0 grains, 1747 fps, 41700 CUP

 

[trueblue1776]

I'd use a gas checked bullet for that load, that may be why there isn't any mid-heavy data you want. Some bubba reloader could lead his gun to the point of kaboom with unchecked cast bullets at .454 pressures.

 

[FLORIDA KEVIN]

Thanks guys ! I just ordered the Lyman book on cast bullets and a 454 casull load specific book that couldn't hurt to have ! What i am looking for is a load of 28000-30000 psi using a a hardcast bullet with a bhn of 21 or greater a gas check would be fine ! The bullets i want to try are from missouri bullet co. 255 grain swc I think it was cowboy *9.

 

[GSPKurt]

I load 10 grains of Unique with a 200 gr. RNFP cast bullet and Casull brass. Nice load in my SRH.

 

[50 Shooter]

I'm in the process of loading some 405gr hardcast bullets with 23 grs. of H110, should be interesting out of my Raging Bull.

 

[zxcvbob]

I don't know if Lymans cast bullet book has .454 Casull data or not. The load data I posted was out of Lyman's 48th Edition Reloading Handbook

I usually shoot 7.5 grains of Red Dot with 230 grain cast bullets in my .45LC Ruger Blackhawk-Bisley. 8.5 grains of Red Dot with 250 or 255 grain bullets is a very stout load that's cheap to shoot. I think it's about 25000 psi using .45 brass.

 

[FLORIDA KEVIN]

thanks Bob ! I guess I cant have too many manuals

 

[Dasher]

Ummmmm, I just shoot 45LC out of my 454C when I want light to moderate loads in that range and save the 454 Brass for the jacketed heavy hunting loads. That way I dont get a surprise when i pop a light 454 in and get my arms and shoulders moved back 2 inchs. Mind you I am using a lever action, not a pistola.

 

[FLORIDA KEVIN]

Thanks Dasher iwas trying to avoid using the colt brass so i dont get a buildup in the cylinders . i sometimes like to vary the loads i shoot just to see what happens to point of impact vs. point of aim ,with different bullet weights! I may end up just loading hot colt loads but I really dont want to ! i have more casull brass than colt ! thanks kevin actually i have found a few loads that i want to try ,but i need to buy a different powder than i have on hand !