.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

 

[TDF]

#1 Hands down.

TDF

 

[Snyd]

#1 will be less abusive to a big brown fuzzie as well :)

 

[63November]

To a big brown fuzzy, neither will be any good if placed wrongly. On the other hand, either will be bad news if placed well. Bears aren't bullet proof.

 

[Southern Shooter]

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_detail.php?bullet=45-325V-D.png

http://www.accuratemolds.com/bullet_detail.php?bullet=45-340B-D.png

What would be a good load for these bullets?

Thanks

 

[4MUL8R]

It is conventional wisdom that recoil is magnified with heavier bullets, even if running slower than the lighter bullet.

 

[bowfishn]

The 270 grain bullet, 10 grains of Trail Boss, at roughly 1,000 fps would be much easier shooting based on the fact the preasures would be much lower and the energy it would take to push the 270 grain bullet at 1000 fps would be much less that the energy it takes to push the 360 grain bullet at about the same speed, in your case 50 fps faster. ( for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction ) The 21 grains of lil' gun would produce much higher preasure as well, and being it is a slower burning powder you would have an huge fireball compared to the 10 grains of trail boss behind the 270 grain bullet in a handgun with that short of a barrel.

Load data from Hodgdons site:

265 GR. CPB LFP GC IMR Trail Boss
7.0 gr 836 18,800 CUP 9.0 gr 984 27,100 CUP

360 GR. CPB LFN GC Hodgdon Lil'Gun
20.0 gr 1330 fps 38,000 CUP 23.0 gr 1477 fps 48,200 CUP

Shane

 

[Silent Sam]

I guess you have to define "pleasant". I haven't got around to working up reduced loads and have only shot full house 454 and +P Colt loads (300-360gr) and I prefer the heavy bullets over the 300gr loads. While I'm sure the numbers show mathematically heavier recoil with the heavier bullets they are easier for me to shoot. I guess probably the difference in recoil velocity is what I am noticing. When I do get time to load for it I'm going to start with 360s and load them down to around 1000-1100fps. I think for the intended purpose heavy bullets are the way to go at any reasonable velocity range. The Alaskan handles recoil remarkably well and the more accustomed you are with it the easier it gets. You just have to find your own "tipping" point.

 

[powder smoke]

It is conventional wisdom that recoil is magnified with heavier bullets, even if running slower than the lighter bullet.

+1 ps

 

[Bucks Owin]

Sounds like your needs would be better met with a .45LC... :wink:

 

[Southern Shooter]

Silent Sam, thanks for the reminder. I allowed myself to doubt my original decision about going with the heavier bullet. I sometimes forget to shut off the outside chatter once my research has been completed and my decision is made based on solid information.

After reading again John Linebaugh's articles and actually talking with him on the phone a couple times I am thoroughly convinced that bullet mass is the constant always in my favor. And, with a 360 grain bullet, that I could load it up or down to match my needs at that time.

I don't mind the forceful push of a heavy load. It is the "snap" of a hot load that I don't enjoy...much like when loading up my 2 3/4" barreled .357 Magnums. Not pleasant on my wrist.

So, I am going with a 360 grain bullet. Am, putting in my order this week for a mold. I feel at peace with that decision.

Thanks folks....

 

[Greg Mercurio]

I can attest to pleasant practice loads. We regularly shoot our .44 Magnums using Trailboss. We being my wife and I. I can shoot full power .44, she has not yet worked up to that but has progressed from 9mm to 240g TB loads and just consumed another 100 rounds today. She is in love with her Bisley and shoots excellent groups offhand, gives me grief about using a rest. Until I shot her Bisley off-hand. :-)

TB is very accurate and fun to shoot.

 

[cas6969]

It is conventional wisdom that recoil is magnified with heavier bullets, even if running slower than the lighter bullet.

+1 ps

In my 500 Linebaugh 435's and 465's at 1200-1350 are MUCH, MUCH, MUCH worse to shoot than 500gr bullets at 1000-1100 fps.

I can let an average pistol shooter with some big bore experience shoot the 500's without too much concern. Where as with the other loads the front sight would end up buried in their forehead.

 

[Tommy Kelly]

I have a 454 alaskan and it's my opinion that the short barrels don't recoil nearly as much as the longer ones. I also have a x frame S&W 500 with the 4" bbl. The recoil on it is also very manageable. I also have a mod 29 S&W 3" that shoots smooth. I also have a super redhawk 480 that's supposed to be just above the 44 for recoil. The 480 has a 7.5" bbl and recoils to the point of painful to shoot with beautiful wood grips In fact after only 6 shots I came home and ordered a set of grips for the alaskan to put on it before I shoot it again.