AMMO for 454Casul/45LC: re-loads

[Huntolive]

Thanks!
I am looking hard at those 250 grn Hornaday JHP's and also the cast 270 grn SAA's.

CraigC, you wrote before that these JHP's were great for putting deer down quick. What advantage do these have ov er cast bullets like the 270 SAA for deer?

What advantage, and for what game do the 270 SAA's take the prize?

 

[CraigC]

The 270gr SAA is a great bullet designed by sixgun fancier Dave Scovill. I am primarily a cast bullet shooter and that includes hunting. They work very well for all game. On deer and hogs, virtually any decent 250-260gr SWC will do fine, it doesn't have to be the Scovill bullet and you don't have to cast your own to get good cast bullets. The Hunter's Supply 275gr LBT is also very good and has proved accurate in my guns. However, for light skinned medium game like deer, a good standard weight JHP does a little more tissue damage and anchors them a little quicker but they still tend to exit. Which is good. I happen to prefer the bonded core design of the Speer Gold Dot/Deep Curl bullets over the XTP, which are sometimes likely to have jacket/core separation.

 

[Hammerdown77]

I like the looks of some of those LBT bullets from Hunter's Supply. I think they had a 190 grain 357 bullet that I wanted to try as well.

 

[Prosser]

163 dollars for 1000 bullets, cast for the 454? I'd give leadhead a call. At those prices , that's what, 16 cents a bullet, how can you say no?

I'd look at their lighter .45 Colt bullets and just make sure they are cast hard enough for your uses, and velcoity.

 

[Huntolive]

Got Gun!

Some of you may be relieved to know I actually got my "new to me" 454/45 SRHH 7.5" this wknd, and shot a cylendar of 454 through it, to c if the cases would still stick, and non did, they all loaded and exited smoothly. I then shot about 100 cowboy 45's and am getting ok at 20 yards w/ open sights, but still need to get the hang of easing the trigger back, and getting comfortable slowly squeezing the trigger until it goes off almost "by surprise" , instead of pulling the trigger.

It came w/ 1" rings. I still plan 2 get ultradot. The 30 mm rings will cost $80. Ideally, I would get the ultradot 30mm, but is that necessary?
I have the 1" rings, and doubt ruger will exchange them, as they are clearly used. How much advantage is there w/ the Ultradot 30, over the standard original 1" Ultradot? I hope to hunt deer this Nov, out to 50 yrds, with practice.

I have about 500 45 cases and some large pistol primers. I want to make 300 cheap bullets at about 1000 fps, and 200 of the type I'll hunt w/. I will hold off on casting bullets till nxt yr. So, what kind of bullets can I get cheapest for target (250 grn cowboy type) to re-load?
And what for hunting? I'm thinking either a 265 grn Keith, or something else w/ a large meplat, or the 270SAA or a 260grn JHP. Deer is main quarry this year. What is my best bet? Where to get?
Also, I would like to make some cast bullet rounds for slightly larger game. Perhaps the 270 SAA fits both purposes?

Thanks!

 

[50 Shooter]

To answer a question you asked, you can usually reload pistol brass until it splits. If you're shooting light loads your brass will last a long time. Just roll it around in your fingers and check it out before you reload them.

Now for plinking and just plain fun you can go to the other end of the scale. The heaviest load that I've shot out of my Raging Bull .454 was a 405 gr. bullet. Something to try when you're out plinking.

 

[Prosser]

Great to hear you got the gun.

I would look through this thread(I often wonder if you read all the posts, since many of your questions are answered in previous posts).

CC gave you excellent advice and excellent links.

Ask the guy you are going to reload with what he thinks.
Then get on the phone call some people, and order some bullets.

Have fun, get on it, and do some shooting.

 

[Huntolive]

So, now I've shot all the ammo that came w/ the gun, and am eager to make more. For now I had to order some Magtech 250 grn off the shelf.

I ordered a few hundred 250 grn hornaday xtp jhp's bullets to hand load for deer.

And PRSR, of course I read the posts. I am just trying to get more input, and as I move forward, refine the questions as I understand more. I also have not found or had anyone rec. where to get the cheapest regular cowboy practice bullets to make target re-loads.

Is the 270 SAA gas checked? What cast bullet under 300 grns can I use for : deer, black bear, hogs, and other large game? Does the 270 SAA fill those roles? The guy who sold me the gun recomends a keith bullet or anything with a large meplat. But he will be serving over seas for a few months.

 

[Prosser]

http://www.berrysmfg.com/product-i14811-c110-g8-b0-p0-Hard_Cast_.45LC_.452_250gr_RNFP.aspx

130 per 1000, and they also have light plated bullets for 123.00 per thousand.

Shipping is usually the killer.

I bought these from Dillon

http://www.dillonprecision.com/#/content/p/9/catid/5/pid/25275/Laser_Cast_Bullets_500_pk

Seem just fine, but you have to call for a price and availability now.

I'd try some light bullets and see how much of a difference at your loads, point of aim is, and determine if that's a way you want to go.

General rule: light bullets>less material>cheaper
Also:
Industry standard weight and design=massive production=lower price
For example 230 grain ball lead maybe cheaper then a 200 grain flat point.

YMMV.