RAGING BULL

[oughtsix]

I have a Taurus .454 Raging Bull. The compensator holes are being flame cut!! Is this a normal occurence??

When I first started reloading the .454, I bought new primed Winchester cases. Loaded a few with W296. With gun in death grip, I squeeze trigger, POOF, goes the mighty .454!! I continue to hold on mightily, for 10-15 seconds, in case of secondary explosion. Pointed safely downrange, of course. I'm the only one at the range that day, thank GOD!! I lay gun on bench, and say a few solemn curse words. After a few minutes, decide to open cylinder. Of course, the whole charge of powder falls into crane area and else where!!! Took gun home and blasted all kinds of crud cleaner/cutter any where I could get the little plastic tubes into. After a while I sprayed in some lube in same places. Have always wondered if I got all the powder out.:banghead:

Anyway, bullet was stuck just past forcing cone. Tapped out with aluminum rod. Bought new UNPRIMED Starline brass and Primed with Mag primers. W296 goes BOOM. Used AA #9 in the primed by Winchester cases and all went BOOM!! So I guess W296 needs Mag primers in .454??????? I have used regular and mag primers in .44Mag w\296, they all go BOOM!!

Any and all info appreciated!!!!!!!

Thanks

 

[Koveras]

oughtsix,

The 454 works best with standard small rifle primers such as WSR. Even with these, too light a load of WW296/H110 or a weak crimp can result in a failure to ignite -- I have had this happen with the same results you described. I currently use the Starline brass, WSR primers and H110 and have had very good results with this combination, although I've used Winchester brass with no problems as well.

I don't know about the flame cutting. I got rid of my Raging Bull 454 because the shock wave from the ports gave me headaches. Other than that it was a fine gun.

 

[P95Carry]

My .454 useage these days is almost entirely thru SRH but the Bull is still fun. Rifle primers definitely needed here with SAAMI top limit 65,000! I have plenty of brass now but am slow to get into reloading for max. The Hornady 300 grain factory loads are what I must try and duplicate - they are exceptional!

Many have seen this pic but it's an excuse to post it again The dragon breathes fire!!

 

[MCgunner]

This thread convinces me I don't need a 454. Haven't really got a use for one. Guess I'd own one of them cannons if I lived where big toothy beasts roamed, but lower 48 I think the .45 Colt is plenty.

Jeez, 65Kcup?

 

[oughtsix]

THANKS

Thanks for all replies!!!!!

P95Carry, LOVE!!!!! that pic!!!!! Does your Bull show any erosion above gas ports, from burning gases?????? Also, what should the cylinder gap be. Mine is .006". I think it could be a bit much. But then again from all the burning powder going out of it, I guess it might need that much, so as not to bind up???????

Many thanks

 

[oughtsix]

Koveras

Thanks for the reply!! If I remember right, I was running 10% under Max for W296. I have read not to reduce loads less than 10% for H110 and W296. Is that correct? Maybe I did not have enough crimp on it as you say. How much crimp do you use?

Thankx

 

[Koveras]

oughtsix,

I use the Lee Factory Crimp Die and turn the crimp adjustor knob 3/4 turn after it contacts the case mouth. This gives it a very solid crimp without buckling anything.

Hope this helps!

 

[P95Carry]

No port burning on mine - but there again - thruput of hot loads has been relatively modest - it was a used gun but seemingly not ''high mileage''. I would not be surprised to see some erosion over time but then I don't find my cannons get a monstrous ammo diet - not like carry pieces etc!

Right now no feeler gauges to hand to check cyl gap - I'll just do a Mk1 eyeball --------- well yes - pretty darned generous which fits in with the dragon pic!! At a guess I'd estimate significantly over 6 thou.!

 

[oughtsix]

Ok, thanks guys!!!!!!! Very helpful!!

 

[Feldhege]

My brother just got one in blue. He brought it over this weekend and I got to touch a couple off. It was awesome. (I have a 44 mag) His cylinder gap was VERY small. Almost as tight as mine (around .0025). His didn't group 45 colt very well but when we put some 454 XTP loads in it it was shooting very nice groups.