454 Alaskan Chrono data

Shot 300gr GDHP factory rounds over the chronograph at 12-15'. Some off the bench and some standing. Average velocity was 1330 fps. Just a data point for those who care.

That's cruising pretty good out of that short of a barrel! What was the listed ballistics, velocity, barrel length etc...

This is good info for those who like short barreled revolvers but don't have access to chronographs. A lot can be extrapolated from knowing what the listed ballistics are to compare to what you have listed above as actual numbers. It will give folks a basic idea of velocity loss from long barrel to short barrel revolvers.

Thanks for posting.

7.5" Barrel
Muzzle Velocity: 1625 fps
Muzzle Energy: 1759 ft lbs


Thanks for the info Silent Sam, I have allways wondered.
I like this cartrige in my Alaskan.

Losing just under 300fps is a fair trade off (In my opinion) for ease of carry. That little Alaskan has some serious bite to it.

BigJ71 said:

Losing just under 300fps is a fair trade off (In my opinion) for ease of carry. That little Alaskan has some serious bite to it.

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It's still a full power 45 Colt load that I am sure will serve its intended purpose. Whatever it loses in "bite" it makes up for in "bark"!

Next on the chrono list is Buffalo Bore 360LBTLWN rated at 1,425 fps/ 1,623 ft. lbs. I'll post the results when I get them.

I think a heavy bullet (300+gr) around 1000-1100fps will be the "sweet spot". Just a matter of how much bullet weight is controllable enough. Haven't tried any double taps yet :twisted:.

Silent Sam said:

BigJ71 said:

Losing just under 300fps is a fair trade off (In my opinion) for ease of carry. That little Alaskan has some serious bite to it.

Click to expand...

It's still a full power 45 Colt load that I am sure will serve its intended purpose. Whatever it loses in "bite" it makes up for in "bark"!

Next on the chrono list is Buffalo Bore 360LBTLWN rated at 1,425 fps/ 1,623 ft. lbs. I'll post the results when I get them.

I think a heavy bullet (300+gr) around 1000-1100fps will be the "sweet spot". Just a matter of how much bullet weight is controllable enough. Haven't tried any double taps yet :twisted:.

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Looking forward to your results. I agree, I also think that a hard cast flat nosed 300+gr bullet moving out at 1,000-1,200fps will dispatch just about anything you're going to get into a tangle with here in North America. I would not feel under gunned no matter where I camped.

By using the .45 Colt heavy 1300+ fps rounds available by many manufacturers (corbon, double tap, buffalo bore, etc...) I know I'm getting at least 1000fps out of my short barreled Ruger revolvers. It's a good balance between shoot ability and stopping power from a small lightweight portable firearm.

After the big 454/360's, should be later this month, the plan is to try some heavy 45 Colt 300 & 325's rated at 1300fps. I want to shoot the same load through my 5.5" Blackhawk at the same time for comparison but I have to replace a broken transfer bar first. Just haven't had the time for all my projects this summer.

Good to know, Sam. I like my Alaskan, but haven't had the time to chrony much of anything.

I have recently been testing a 310 gr hardcast load at 1100 fps out of my 44 mag Alaskan. I'm pretty confident that it will take down most things. And it had better do it on the first shot. :lol:

I routinely shoot a gas checked 335 grain LBT style of bullet at 1575 fps out of my 7-1/2" "plinker"....



flatgate

Shot the following over the chrono out of a 454 Alaskan:

454 Casull Ammo - 360 gr. L.B.T. - L.W.N. (1,425 fps/M.E. 1,623 ft. lbs.) ran @ 1230fps - carrying this on an elk hunt. - no time to roll my own.

Heavy 45 Colt +P Ammo - 325 gr. L.B.T.-L.F.N. (1,325 fps/M.E. 1,267 ft. lbs.) ran 1110fps

Both loads at least as controllable as the 300gr BB load and seem to "crack" less.

I have a 454 alaskan and love it. The recoil isn't bad at all. But I've only shot the wwb ammo that is weak out of it. I also have a 4" 500 S&W that the recoil isn't bad on. I think the light recoil is from the short bbl's not burning as much powder in them and not building up as much pressure. The actual length of the S&W bbl is actually 3" with a 1" muzzle break on the end. I have even shot some 700 gr cast loads in the 500 and the recoil wasn't much at all more than the 350 gr. factory loads from hornady. both are fun to shoot and I can shoot them fairly well. I can hit a 6" spot at 65 yds with the 454 not bad for a snubby with close sights and old eyes.

Silent Sam said:

After the big 454/360's, should be later this month, the plan is to try some heavy 45 Colt 300 & 325's rated at 1300fps. I want to shoot the same load through my 5.5" Blackhawk at the same time for comparison but I have to replace a broken transfer bar first. Just haven't had the time for all my projects this summer.

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Time slips away don't it? :roll: Maybe I'll be able to get my caboose in gear soon and shoot some 325's over W296 that I've been meaning all summer to try in my 7.5" .45 BH. We'll compare notes... :wink: