Reloading 454 Casull

[Texasgrillchef]

Question/issue. 454 Casull, in my Ruger Super Redhawk 7.5”

I recently acquired a few hundred rounds of Hornady 300gr XTP mag .452 in projectiles, as well as a just a little over 100 rounds of the 300gr XTP Mag Hornady ammunition.

On the box of Hornady it listed the apron FPS of being about 1800fps. When I chronographed about 30 rounds of the ammo, I had an average of 1867fps, with slowest round of 1787fps and fastest round being 1923fps. This is the factory loaded ammo, obtained directly from Hornady.

Also obtained directly from Hornady were the several hundred 300gr XTP Mag projectiles.
Now when I look at Hornady’s own reloading manual. The hottest load they have is 1650fps using 32.3g Win296. They aren’t listing any loads that get the factory load fps!

I checked with two other loading manuals, Lyman and Western, and neither of them show loads for that projectile that come anywhere close to the 1800fps that even hornady is claiming from factory. Which I had an average of 1867fps.

When I did load some with win296 at the max load of 32.3g and I was able to achieve an average of 1678fps with the low at 1598fps and the high at 1723fps. Again this is a 30 round average.

I could easily tell in felt recoil the difference in my loads, and the factory loads when I fired the rounds. I even did a blind test for felt recoil between the two, and I could correctly tell each and every time. (Based solely on felt recoil)

I of course called and talked to someone at Hornady and for many various obvious reasons, they did not want to release what their load was for their factory ammunition. But they did say that the projectile that they gave me was the exact same one used in their ammunition.

So now my question.... is anyone using this projectile? Are you getting about 1800fps out of your loads? Or even better? And if so what are you using as your load? If you don’t wish to reveal your load, can you give me a link or insight to the loading manual you used and how you determined to use the load you are using?

1678fps to 1867fps is a big step up. If we were only talking a 50fps difference I wouldn’t bother. But almost 200fps difference is a big one!

 

[mrawesome22-250]

https://www.hornady.com/ammunition/handgun/454-casull-300-gr-xtp-mag#!/

Hornady lists 1650fps from a 7.5" barrel with their 300gr XTP 454Casull factory load.

 

[Texasgrillchef]

https://www.hornady.com/ammunition/handgun/454-casull-300-gr-xtp-mag#!/

Hornady lists 1650fps from a 7.5" barrel with their 300gr XTP 454Casull factory load.

That maybe so, but like I said when I chrongraphed the 30 rounds, I was getting 1867fps average. When I loaded, I was getting lower. So still trying to figure out why my factory loads are running hotter.

 

[tightgroup tiger]

Because they use powder or powder blends that we can't buy.

 

[Iwsbull]

I know they list 1800 as velocity for the 240 XTP and I was getting the velocities you listed for them from the factory loads and was able to match it with hand loads. I have yet to load any 300 XTP bullets as my mold came in and I went to loading 340 grain cast and shelved jacketed bullets.

 

[Texasgrillchef]

Someone mentioned to me that muzzle blas might be habing an effect on my measured speeds.

So will try at a further distance, although i am thinking about that neew doppler chronagraph as well.

So we will see.

It probably doesnt mattwr because honestly what will 1867fps kill that 1700fps wont? Right?

 

[buck460XVR]

Because they use powder or powder blends that we can't buy.

^^^ Proprietary powders can and do make a difference. Plus, Hornady has much more control over the making of it's ammo than it does over others making ammo with their bullets at home. I load for accuracy when it comes to my hunting ammo. While velocity is important too, it's not my main priority. I too am surprise the OP can get that kind of velocity from his .454 with the 300 grainers.