Rossi Puma .454

[Hazzard]

Well, I'm thinking of picking up a Rossi Puma chambered in .454 Casull. So I have a few questions for you .454 owners and reloaders.

I will probably use cast bullets for convenience and cost reasons. I cast a lot of my own and am wondering which bullet design would be best in the 260 to 350 gr range? Do I need gas checks? I use a lot of cast bullets but not at these velocities, so I'm a bit out of my area of expertise here. Thanks in advance.

 

[philbo]

OK! I'm watching this one.

I have the 454 Puma and just started reloading for it. I've been pondering this for awhile trying to decide which bullet would be best as well.

 

[Hazzard]

Noone? Looks like we may be on our own on this one philbo. I'm still researching and if I find anything good I'll pm you.

 

[philbo]

I have the Puma 92 454 20" Stainless w/fiber optic sites (really recommended) and a RSR 454 w/a 7.5 in ported barrel.

So far I have been using factory ammo (and this one cartridge will pay for all the reloading equipment by itself )

So far I have used at the range in both guns:

454 Casull:

Win 250 grn hp mid velocity, less recoil, pleasant to shoot, but hotter than a 44 mag

Win 260 gold partition hp: very fast, shoots flat, recoil is noticeable, very good load

Corbon 335 hard cast FP - probably overkill, but it really makes the dirt backstop explode when it impacts!

Corbon 320 FP penetrator - probably overkill, same as above. I flinched on one round using the RSR and succeeded in killing a 4x4 post on the range - an explosion of splinters that cut thru the side of the post and toppled it. I called it day at that point

250 hornandy HP/XTP ammo from a local commercial loader (T's Ammo) - very similar to the Win 250 in feel and performance. I will likely try to duplicate this load on my own, maybe push the velocity a little bit more

All of the ammo has fed without a problem and ejected easily, but I load the ammo from the top because the ammo is just to long to feed thru the loading gate on the side. POI can differ as much as 4 inches at 50 yds when changing bullet weights I have noticed in the both guns.

I'll have powder and primers delivered next week and I'll be developing loads using H110 powder. I believe I will work up 2 loads. One using a Barnes DPX style bullet and/or hornandy xtp bullet for a hunting load. One using a cast bullet in the same weight range for cheaper practice rounds in the mid velocity range. My concern is leading at the velocities even a mid range load will develop. Any info on a good hard cast lead bullet would be appreciated if you find a good one.

Best articles so far:
http://www.gunweek.com/2007/feature0101.html
http://www.gunblast.com/Paco_Legacy_454.htm
http://www.gunblast.com/Ruger-SRHAlaskan454.htm

 

[BBA]

454 Puma

I have a 1 and have loaded Lee 250grn rnfp, and 250 grn Keith style. Both have leaded very bad, makes for a big mess in a 8in Raging Bull also. Needs to have a gas check unless you're going to slow them down. The Puma is a good thumper.

 

[DammitBoy]

I just ordered the Puma .454 Legacy in stainless with hi-vis sights to match-up with my Ruger Alaskan. I'm really looking forward to shooting it.

I've heard that the Puma kicks harder than the Alaskan. I kinda find that hard to believe since the 20" barrel Puma has got to weigh a good bit more than my 2" snubnose Alaskan.

 

[mgkdrgn]

That gun also shoots 45 Colt real nice like.

 

[DammitBoy]

My Puma just came in at the shop and it looks great. I was worried about the quality of the fit and the wood because I've read a lot of trash talk lately about Puma.

I couldn't ask for a better fit or better walnut, it's plain but has a great grain. The stainless steel looks good and I love those hi-vis sights!

The 16" barrel is going to make for a great brush gun. I'll post pictures as soon as I get a chance.

 

[bluetopper]

I think gas checks would be the way to go.

I just ordered a single shot Handi-Rifle in 500 S&W and I'm going to try gas checks in it.

 

[buck460XVR]

250 hornandy HP/XTP ammo from a local commercial loader (T's Ammo) - very similar to the Win 250 in feel and performance. I will likely try to duplicate this load on my own, maybe push the velocity a little bit more

I don't think the Hornady 250grn XTP-HPs are made for the velocity of the .454.....maybe for a plinker, but not for a max hunting load. You may want to consider their 240 or 300grn XTP-Mag bullets.

 

[counterclockwise]

H110 loads

.
be careful doing mild loads with H110. There are warnings by Hodgdon Powder on their website. I have the Puma 44 mag 20" bbl. It is a fun gun! I shoot 240 gn GDSP, IMR4227 in it.

It would be interesting to compare chrono data with the Casull Factory 454 in 7 1/2" vs. the Puma to see how much velocity the longer barrel adds.

 

[philbo]

I don't think the Hornady 250grn XTP-HPs are made for the velocity of the .454.....maybe for a plinker, but not for a max hunting load.

The Winchester 250 grain factory load is a reduced load in the 44mag velocity range (a little under 1450 fps out of my Puma). Plenty for hunting most game in North America. I've worked up similar loads using the 250 XTP/HP bullet... not a full power 454 load, but definitely for more than just plinking. For full power loads I've grown fond of H110 and the Speer 300 grain Gold Dot... which is made for the 454.