Mateba: Casull Fun!!!

[Giolli Joker]

As I promised in this thread, here it's the review of the first time at the range with my Mateba Autorevolver (pics: 1 and 2) shooting full power .454 Casull rounds.
Well, I'm not a seasoned shooter, I'm young (22 yo) and I had never shot magnum rounds before this night, so I was a bit scared by the well known fierce recoil of the mighty Casull. I thought that a box of 20 rounds (Winchester 300grs SJFP) could be enough to start... and with a price tag of nearly 36$ per box it was surely enough for my wallett (I'm a student...).
At the range I first loaded only one round to test the recoil... I fired... and I felt very surprised: no muzzle jump, a big bang and a strong but completely manageable push on my hands! Encouraged, I loaded all the six chambers (yep, the Ruger SRH isn't the only Casull six-shooter ) and I noticed that is even possible to shoot quickly... I was, and I'm still, amazed!
The Autorevolver system worked flawlessly with every shot taming recoil and cocking the hammer while rotating the cylinder... the recoil was also reduced by the heavy weight of the gun (nearly 4,4 lbs) and by the detachable muzzle brake (not shown in the pictures).
If the recoil was mild what surprised me most was the almost complete absence of muzzle jump... when I finished my 20 precious rounds I shoot five .45 ACP rounds with my friend's S&W 1911 and I noticed that it jumps far more than my Casull!
Now I only need to practice more... this time I was too excited so my accuracy was very poor, but I know that the gun can do far better... the only real problem is the price of the ammo...

Bye,
Giolli

P.S.: My friend had a camera, when he'll give me the videos I'll post them, if you want.

 

[P95Carry]

Hi Giolli

I'd love to shoot some 454's thru a Mateba but that's unlikely.

I will tho mention - appropos my experience with Win ammo thru my Taurus Raging Bull initially and since thru SRH. I used some 240 grain (supposed) .454 Casull loads and they were tame - I mean REALLY tame!! I wonder if the 300 grainers are similarly down on power.

I only really got what I felt was true Casull power from Hornady 240's and 300's - and tho I forget exact chrono speeds right now - do recall that the Win 240's yielded a mere 950 or so ft lbs ME - the Hornady loads are up round 1850 ft lbs. So you'll see there was a huge difference.

This could (perhaps) - plus guns low axis and weight as well of course - be a factor in your impression of modest recoil etc.

I have enough cases now that I will reload more ammo - it is indeed costly to use factory.

 

[Giolli Joker]

You can see in my previous post the link to the Winchester site with the infos about the ammo I've shot... it seems to be quite powerful.
Probably you've shot the reduced load 250 grainers, that are in the 44 Magnum class.

 

[tc300mag1]

Most of the 300 grainers ive shot from winchester were for sure up to fullpower in the casull

 

[Janitor]

Thanks for sharing Giolli.

It sounds/looks like an amazing gun. I'd love to have the opportunity to try one, esp in .454 some day. I once (long time ago) tried a Freedom Arms .454, but I'd have to say the muzzle jumped on that one. A lot.

$36/20 for the ammunition? Oh my! Well, one would probably never need to worry about the long term duribility of the revolver with magnum loads.
-

 

[horge]

I've always admired the Mateba Unica's albeit the .357 ...but man do I envy you, Giolli!
Thanks for the review, and I'm really looking forward to the video!

 

[P95Carry]

Giolli - ahh - had not thought to check which loads were the Win - most likely bought them unaware of their ''whimp'' factor

Since then tho - Hornady has satisfactorily produced the goods (and the grin).

 

[rick_reno]

Nice report, very nice handgun. I'd like to see/shoot one someday. I've been shooting .454's for over 15 years, in a 6" and 7.5" (ported) FA guns, and recently in a Ruger Alaskan. The recoil on the current Winchester factory loads isn't noticeable, I've got about 10 boxes of the old FA ammo I bought back around 1989 - I don't believe they sell ammo anymore. It has significant recoil when compared with the Winchester. Someone mentioned muzzle jump, there is some but it's by no means excessive in the FA guns. The Alaskan recoils straight back, very little jump in that little gun.

 

[Giolli Joker]

Since then tho - Hornady has satisfactorily produced the goods (and the grin).

Here in Italy, being forbidden handgun hunting, .454 Casull is rare... I've just bought the first box of rounds I found.

$36/20 for the ammunition? Oh my! Well, one would probably never need to worry about the long term duribility of the revolver with magnum loads.

You're right...I need to start reloading... shooting the Casull is too much fun...


I don't know when I'll be able to post the video... by now I'm waiting for my friend to give it to me.