.454 Casull Loads: Which would be more pleasant?

[Southern Shooter]

I am looking at two loads in the Ruger Alasakan, 2 1/2" barrel, .454 Casull:

1) 270 grain bullet, 10 grains of Trail Boss, at roughly 1,000 fps.

2) 360 grain bullet, 21 grains of Lil' Gun, at roughly 1,050 fps.

Which would be less abusive? The faster burning Trail Boss with a lighter bullet? Or, the slower Lil' Gun with a heavier bullet?

Thanks

 

[whbonney26]

Option 1 would most likely be most pleasant to shoot. I have a 454 but have never loaded for it. I have only shot commercial ammo so far.

 

[Richard in LA]

I would agree with the above. I don't know how/if the powder burn rate would make one more pleasant than the other, but physics would tell me that a projectile that is 25% heavier, going a tad faster would have more recoil.

 

[dzelenka]

Do not load your revolver with Lil Gun. The powder has a high nitro content and burns extremely hot. It will erode your forcing cone in short order.

 

[Leadslugga]

270 gr at 1000 fps should be less powerful than most .44 mag.

 

[Southern Shooter]

Lil' Gun to high in nitro?

dzelenka,

I had not heard that about Lil' Gun. I don't want to damage my gun. What would be another choice that would not give up much velocity? H-110? Something else?

Thanks

 

[dzelenka]

dzelenka,

I had not heard that about Lil' Gun. I don't want to damage my gun. What would be another choice that would not give up much velocity? H-110? Something else?

Thanks

H110, Accurate No.9, N110 will all work.

I spoke to Bob Baker who is the president of Freedom Arms. He is an old friend and we shot the breeze about some seriously heavy .357 Mag. rounds for a FA Mod. 353. During that conversation, he told me not to use Lil Gun. He said that when the powder came out they saw a significant increase in forcing cone erosion and the common denominator was the powder. It did not take many rounds either. The problem was that it generated an extreme amount of heat. You could actually shoot the revolver to the point that it was too hot to hold in short order. Discussions with the powder manufacturer indicated that it has a very high nitroglycerin content. I will take his word for it.

 

[Southern Shooter]

Compromise? 325-340 gr PB Bullets 1,000 fps or Less??

I have thought about this, today. I have .38 Specials and .357 Magnums that I can shoot easy loads out of.

I bought this Ruger Alaskan .454 Casull to fill the nitch of a quick-draw "Thor's Hammer" when I am fishing or hiking in northern Montana or Idaho. I want to practice and use on a regular basis something in the ballpark of what I would use in those situations...even if it rattles my brain a bit.

What about a bullet in the range of 325-340 grain, plain base, at 1,000 or less fps? Check out the bullets below.

http://www.accuratemolds.com/bullet_...=45-325V-D.png

http://www.accuratemolds.com/bullet_...=45-340B-D.png

What would be a good load for these bullets?

Thanks

 

[Southern Shooter]

I will take your advice

dzelenka,
I will take your advice on the Lil' Gun issue. Especially, given your source. Can't see damaging my guns if I can avoid it.

Thanks

 

[Sin-ster]

If you shoot a 300+ grain bullet at 1k+ fps on a "regular basis", you will be my new hero.

I know as much about reloading as I do about brain surgery. But the physics is the same, and no matter how heavy your pistol, that's a lot of recoil to absorb. While it might not be painful, your body is going to react-- and that could easily mean flinch.

I would recommend keeping your round count low, and simply hitting the range more often. I noticed long ago that even shooting 9mm, 200 rounds is pretty much the point of diminishing returns for me. I get tired, I lose focus-- I've even started jerking the trigger or anticipating the shots, which are bad habits that you don't need to form. YMMV in terms of the quantity and potency of the rounds you shoot, but no one can completely avoid shooting fatigue-- and continuing after it has set it can totally negate your good practice.

 

[Southern Shooter]

Shooting Fatigue

Yes, I agree on the shooting fatigue issue. Especially, related to heavy recoiling rounds. I know that just recently, while I was practicing shooting my .357 Magnums with average loads, that I begain to tire. With time, it was noticeable that I was anticipating the shot...pressing down just slightly at the drop of the hammer.

So, yes. If I go the heavy load route I will choose to limit the range time to a low number count. And, I may drop the velocity to the 850-900 fps to make the shooting sessions last longer.

Thanks

 

[Sin-ster]

I'd be interested to know what load you end up using, and how many you can put downrange before feeling the effects. Could be some interesting stuff there.

I know that I can shoot 4x as many full house .44 Mag loads through a big steel hog leg than I can shoot .38 range loads through a lightweight snubby. Still, I feel like .454 (regardless of data) is where that line ends.

You're still going to be my hero!