Well, Now that I have it, what do I do with it?

[kristop64089]

My 454 Casull Freedom Arms that is.

I just found out that 3 of the indoor ranges I go to won't allow it. My long range, is at a buddies which I have fulltime access to, but hate to impose.
So, I won't be able to shoot much.
I'm gearing up to reload for it, so in the meantime it sits. Is it too much for whitetail?(deer, not rabbit).

One thing I do know is....this thing is HUGE. Is the 454 that versatile? I don't see a whole lot of loadings for it in the book(more than some, less than others)

Just curious as to what now?

[3-fitty-7]

i would load hot .45lc for the indoor range and pretend it's standard ;)

[long rider]

NOW thats a good idear 3-fitty-7;):cool:

[Playboypenguin]

It is a shame you wasted all that money on the huge honkin' revolver. You could have spent it on a real gun...like a high end 1911. :p ;)

[Majic]

BTW it's great for whitetails especially the bigger versions or long shots.

[kristop64089]

It is a shame you wasted all that money on the huge honkin' revolver. You could have spent it on a real gun...like a high end 1911
I wasn't sure I even wanted it, but, once I saw it...it has this "Damn!" factor to it.

I had the judge as a novelty(and those are big), but this thing brings a whole new meaning to "hand cannon" yet it 's quite manageable.

(and my wife says your my doppleganger)

[3-fitty-7]

oh i forgot, you should also post pictures of it.

[fourdogs]

You've got a great gun. Don't let anyone tell you differently. You can load down to under 1000 fps, or load up. The 45 is a * very * potent round. I have a 44 in Model 83 with a 4 3/4" barrel. It's a literal tack driver. I load 310 HC over 6.5 gr of Unique which will punch a hole through 2 inches of hard oak @75 feet, yet recoil is virtually non existent, or I can load up. As much as I like my 44, I wish I had bought a 454.

FA model 83......it doesn't get any better.

[davlandrum]

Shoot .45 Colt at the indoor ranges (either regular or Hot as 3-fitty-7 suggested) and "impose" on you buddy periodically to rip some .454 through it.

I shoot outdoors only and have shot a lot of .45 Colt in my .460 for practice. Saves a lot of $$.

Lately have been shooting .460 exclusively for hunting prep.

[Playboypenguin]

(and my wife says your my doppleganger)
Do you have a goatee? You must because that would make you the evil one. :)

I will someday have a Freedom Arms. I am sure of it. As soon as I can get this dang bar off the ground.

[davlandrum]

PBP - will you be changing your prices frequently depending on gun purchasing requirements?? :p

[Playboypenguin]

PBP - will you be changing your prices frequently depending on gun purchasing requirements??
No, no...I would never do such a thing. So come on in and enjoy a $599 martini. :)

[davlandrum]

LOL - Let's see....$599 martini, plus $100 for gas...plus the irritation of downtown Portland....

Sorry, I probably won't be supporting your gun habit

[Norrick]

my indoor ranges allow if i use long colt only. I thnk for the big ones you really are limited to outdoor ranges. They even made me use the rifle part of the range haha.

[kristop64089]

Do you have a goatee? You must because that would make you the evil one
I do have the goatee! And about as much hair on my body, tho most of it teds to climb up my back, and out of my shirt collar. :barf:

[kristop64089]

of the gun,http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t161/kristop64089/Gun%20Pix/100_0964.jpg
http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t161/kristop64089/Gun%20Pix/100_0967.jpg
http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t161/kristop64089/Gun%20Pix/100_0968.jpg
not me.

[Mad Cow]

I shoot my 454 at an indoor range. They allow up to 300Win Mag at this range.
The only thing is when I shoot the first round everyone along the firing line stops shooting & wants to see what made all the noise.
The same thing happens when my wife takes her 44Mag , maybe it's because most people at this range shoot 22LR, 9mm, & 40S&W.

[3-fitty-7]

kris, that is awesome! would it be in bad taste to ask a round about price? did you buy it direct, from a dealer or used? thanks for the pics. the reason i ask is because i would love a 4 5/8" octagon barrelled FA eventually.

[kristop64089]

I have $965 into the gun. But, believe me IF i were to sell it. I wouldn't hesitate to ask $1350-$1500.

The gun is Immaculate. I can see where the scope base was. It has appx 20 rnds thru it. I have already caled FA, and asked about gettin some hardwood grips done up for it, just for show...hell, I haven't shot it yet:rolleyes:

[firesafety3]

I have the same gun in a 10" barrel, with Leupold scope and base. Freedom Arms actually states "The use of .45 Long Colt ammunition in .454 chambers is NOT recommended. An optional .45 Long Colt cylinder is available for your Freedom Arms revolver chambered in .454."

I haven't shot anything but .454 Hornady through mine.

Congratulations on a fine revolver!

[CraigC]

I'd ditch the Pachy's and get some ivory micarta for that one!


I wouldn't hesitate to ask $1350-$1500.

You got a good deal but Field Grades don't go for that much. Should be able to find a nice used Premier in that price range.

[TNFrank]

+1 on getting rid of those rubber grips. Every heavy kickin' single action that I've shot with rubber grips always wore the skin off of my hand between the web of my hand. It's like the gun is doing a little burn out in my hand and strips off the skin.

[davlandrum]

"The use of .45 Long Colt ammunition in .454 chambers is NOT recommended.

Why the heck would they say that?

Or does that rank up there with "Do Not Shoot Handloads" as legal CYA?

My SW .460 specifically says it is OK to shoot .45 Colt, .454 Casull, and .460.

[3-fitty-7]

i don't own a .454 but from what i've read the danger is the ring the shorter brass leaves in the cylinder (like a .38 spl in .357) increases pressure and at the pressure .454 already runs at it could cause a KB, again im not an expert, that's just what i've gathered in my search for a .454.

[CraigC]

Shooting .45Colt in the longer chamber will cause a buildup of residue at the mouth of the case. Not a big deal in a lesser cartridge but when you combine the 65,000CUP pressure of the .454 and the tight tolerances of the FA revolver, it can be a dangerous overpressure situation.

[davlandrum]

Still not sold on the reality of it, but understand the theory. Seems that could be fixed by a cleaning...

Wouldn't the longer case length of the .454 move it past the build up ring?

[44 Deerslayer]

Ruger allows .45 Colt in their .454's, I doubt the Ruger is any stronger than the Freedom Arms. With the 5 shot cylinder the FA should be even stronger than the 6 shot Ruger.

There must be some other explanation for the warning besides overpressure. If the fouling ring in the cylinder still allows the .454 cartridge to chamber, the pressure increase (if any) would be very small, probably less than the variation between different brands of ammo.

[kristop64089]

I've spoke with FA directly, it's a bit of CYA on their part.

They don't normally know who is buying their products, nor our cleaning habits. Rather than run the risk of jackass blowing up his gun, they will not endorse the practice. It is due to overpressure. Once you handle these guns you'll understand. I am a Ruger fanatic, and Ruger is no where near as solid(from the factory) as these FA's are.

And Craig, I am aware that these "Field Grade" guns don't run that high, but, I've already been offered $1250 for it. Supply and demand is a killer:) I figure If I had to sell it, I'd try to get as much as I could, to help offset the pain. :)

[wyobohunter]

I had a chance to tour the factory when I still lived in Wyoming, first class operation... Kinda wish I would've bought one of those instead of my 500 S&W... But I just had to have the biggest lead thrower I could find. I just wish Freedom Arms would build a double action, If they ever do my 500 is for sale.

[wyobohunter]

You may be able to shoot .410 shells through the thing like you can w/some .45 L.C. Anybody know if this is true? If so there is some extra versatility.

[CraigC]

There must be some other explanation for the warning besides overpressure.

No, that is the reason. The difference is that the Ruger is still a mass produced revolver. The FA is the finest production revolver in existence and tolerances are kept to a minimum, that includes the chambers.

I really don't know how much of a danger it is but it was enough for them to warn against it and men who know a hell of a lot more than anyone here to reiterate.

[kristop64089]

I had the opprutunity to talk with Jack Huntington, for 45 minutes a few days ago.
- He says that there are absolutley NO issues with shooting 45lc out of the gun. He went on to say that there is one combination of three items, when loaded correctly, will blow the FA up. He has tested there guns extensivley, because of the rounds he was developing. So the irony is they build and advertise the strongest, finest revolver available, but war that the $1600 work of art, can blow apart under certain conditions.
- He said this is FA's release of liability, because they can't ensure that we all clean our guns as well as we should.
- He also feels this is the way FA gets the chance to make additional money, by selling a new cylinder.

[Smaug]

I'm with you on the grips. Such a fine gun deserves something besides rubber or plastic.

I'd shoot 45 Colt (not "Long Colt", since there was never a "Short Colt" to differentiate from) at your local range, and maybe find an outdoor range or other indoor range that will allow 454 on occasion.

[CraigC]

He also feels this is the way FA gets the chance to make additional money, by selling a new cylinder.

Be advised that there is some animosity between Huntington and Freedom Arms.

[kristop64089]

Be advised that there is some animosity between Huntington and Freedom Arms.
I gathered that by talking to him, and he made it known as well.
I wouldn't think he'd advise something that would be inherintly dangerous tho. Could be wrong I guess

[CraigC]

I don't believe he would either, in fact I know of no known documented case of an FA grenading but I've heard it repeated by enough sixgunners much more well-versed than myself to not want to push my luck. It's a moot point with me because I have no affection for the .454 but prudence would dictate a thorough cleaning when going from .45 to .454. I'd never run one balls to the wall anyway.

[kristop64089]

I doubt this will see much 454 use as it's an impractical round for me.
Jack, even denounced the round, he says it is really for the recoil junkies. It's serves a purpose for big game.
He went on to state that for the additional recoil gained, MOST shooters are better served by a HOT 45colt round. as they never get a chance to learn how to control the recoil.

[CraigC]

I would agree. Were it mine, I'd not load it much over "Ruger-only" levels and just enjoy it for its robust precision and accuracy. There ain't much a 335gr LBT at 1200fps won't handle. There are folks who can really take advantage of the .454's flat trajectory when loaded full-tilt, routinely taking deer at 150yds, but I ain't one of `em.

[CraigC]

Our buddy Stainz brings up an excellent point in another thread, one that completely slipped by me in this discussion.

"Just be sure to clean the chambers well before loading any longer cased rounds - the carbon/lead crud left forward of the Russian & Special cases can slow/prevent a .44 Magnum round's crimp from opening - and a fast powder can yield a potentially lethal, to your revolver, pressure spike. Don't ask me how I know... suffice it to say I once had a lovely 629MG - now I have a standard 4" 629!"

[kristop64089]

Craig, that's an excellent point that I think a lot of people overlook, even when shooting 38/357.
I think people tend to forget just how important cleaning is in guownership,it's not just for looks.

[Master Blaster]

Solution 1 if you dont reload: Shoot .45 colt cowboy loads for practice, Buy a good chamber brush and clean it before you shoot any 454 cassull.

Solution 2 if you reload or take up reloading to feed the gun; buy .454 brass and load it to .45 colt pressure with 250 grain cast bullets.

[Mad Cow]

The easiest way I found to clean the carbon ring from my 454 cylinder is with a 20 gauge brass brush mounted in a drill.
Put a little solvent on the brush & the ring is gone in seconds.
When I do this I remove the cylinder from the gun.

[kristop64089]

Mad cow, why not use a .410 brush? is it to small?

[Mad Cow]

410 brush is about the same size as a 45 brush. The place were the carbon ring is a little larger than 45 caliber.
20 gauge brush goes in fairly easy, 28 gauge brush might fit better.