Help a new guy with 454\45 recipes

[Bllade]

Hi everyone. I've been reading through a lot of previous posts and have not found ll the information that I am looking for. I just added a SRH 454\45 to my collection and need some help with loads for it.
I've been reloading metallic for quite a long time but this is my first large bore hand gun.
Although I have a Dillon 550 progressive I plan on using my Rockchucker for these calibers.
I bought the gun used and was given some once fired brass with it. I've also already picked up dies for the 454 and a set is on order for the 45. In the mean time I need to decide what powder and bullet to use.
I have kegs of W748, Bullseye and Varget but so far it looks like none of these powders will be suitable for the big loads.

For the time being I plan on loading mostly for target and plinking so I was thinking along the lines of a 200 - 250 gr bullet. I am completely unsure whether to go with cast or jacketed though.
I'm open to suggestions and appreciate all the help I can get. In the meantime I'll continue reading through old threads.

 

[Jimbo357mag]

Being a fairly new cartridge you might want to look online for the latest data from Hodgdon. They have an extensive list of loads for the 454 starting with 240gr bullets and going up to 395gr bullets. Powders include H-4227, H-110/W-296, Lil'Gun, Longshot, HS-6, Universal, and titegroup. I would pick Universal for light loads in the 454 and normal loads in the 45 colt. For heavy hitters you can't beat H-110/ W-296 but you can't reduce those loads very much per the manufacturer.

http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp

...Jimbo

 

[WESHOOT2]

Penn Bullets offers great lead.

Some folks find satisfactory results with lead from Laser-Cast.

Suggest Universal for mild-to-medium 45 Colt; Titegroup or Trailboss for mild 454.

 

[GAR]

Big fan of HS6 in the 45 Colt and should work well in the 454. H110/296 like the others have stated for the top end loads.

I cast my own 45 cal bullets which is really good for me. I got tired of buying LBT style bullets so now I cast them and save a huge amount of money!!

Tom

 

[Bllade]

I ended up ordering some 250gr cast bullets from Oregon Trail and some 300gr Hornady XTP's. I have 296 in the shop but need to double check the books for something lighter to start with.
I've been doing a lot of reading about casting my own bullets and it is something I would like to try. I already have a small melting pot that I used to use for electronics work, unfortunately it has 60/40 solder in it so I would need to get it out first. Right now I am trying to figure out the ins and outs of sizing and lubrication.

It's been mentioned that I should mic the chambers and slug the barrel for fit but I have yet to find any actual procedures for doing this.

 

[GAR]

You need to take a trip over to the cast boolit web site and look around, you will probaly find the answers you need.

Save that 60/40 solder. You can use it if you decide to cast your own.

Be careful if you decide to use heavy for caliber LBT style bullets. Crimping them in their crimp groove could cause you to go over the OAL for your cylinder. That and you may encounter problems with the throating of the cylinder not allowing them to properly seat in the cylinder.

Tom

 

[M'BOGO]

I wholeheartedly agree with GAR, the cast boolit forum is also a great place.

As for your bore and throat dimensions, dust off your Google-Fu and search for bore slugging.

 

[flatgate]

My .454 thrives on 335 gr. Mt. Bulletworks gas checked "hard cast" bullets at 1575 fps. WW-296, CCI-350, firm crimp via Lee "Factory" crimp die.

7-1/2" Freedom Arms Model 83.

flatgate

 

[clintsfolly]

My SRH like a home cast RCBS 270gr /25 gr 2400. Not to hot but it lets you know it went off. fun to shoot Clint

 

[Sal1950]

45 Colt RUGER ONLY plinking load.
255 g Missouri Bullet Elmer K SWC
9.5 g Hodgdon Universal
Federal LP Magnum primers
1.610 OAL

454 Casull Moderately Warm Load
250 g Hornady XTP
27 g Alliant 2400
Federal SR primers
1.700 OAL

These are two loads I've worked up for my S&W 460V that I like very much.
Both are loaded in my Dillon 450B.
Why buying a separate set of dies for the 45 Colt, the 454 dies should handle either.
Sal

 

[dougader]

I really like the LBT designed hardcast bullets that Bear Tooth Bullets puts out, but orders take quite awhile to be filled.

I also like the 335 grain WLNGC bullet with 296 or H110. I run mine at ~1430 fps and that's enough power for me. Same load runs about 1174 fps from a short-barreled Alaskan.

I run medium loads with Universal and Blue Dot and your run of the mill 255 grain Keith type swc's.