.454 powder questions

jimaw2 · May 12, 2011, 10:10 PM

I picked up a used bfr .454 3 months ago. Average group size at 25 yds is 3-5+ inches. The funny thing is i've have tried cast, jacketed and plated bullets from 230 gr to 320 gr and velocities ranging from 800-1700fps and not one load seems to shoot any tighter. All i am using is unique and h4227. Has anyone had a gun/cartridge that shot this poorly dramaticaly tighten up with a change of powder? If i can't find a load that will shoot 2 to 2 1/2" the gun is going down the road. My last bfr, a 45-70 would easily hold under 2" at 25 yds and under 4 at 50 and would do it with 300 or 405 grain bullets at velocities ranging from 800 to 1600 fps (guess i should have kept it!).

shootniron · May 12, 2011, 10:13 PM

I have always had good luck with W296, however, I have never loaded for the BFR.

I have heard that primers can make a difference in accuracy, but I can't prove or disprove this. Some of the guys over on some of the handgun hunting forums contend that primers can make a difference in accuracy for some guns because of the jump of the bullet into the forcing cone. I do not know....honest.

bluetopper · May 14, 2011, 09:39 PM

Try 2400 powder. Some powders can get a few more fps but my experience is none are more accurate in big magnum cartridges.

314EPW · May 15, 2011, 10:52 AM

I use win296 it's great. I use Hornady 300 grain magnum with 31.5 grains of W296.I get 2 inches off a rest @ 50 yards.But you have to have a very heavy crimp!! My gun is a taurus Raging Bull with a 6 1/2 inch barrel.

WESHOOT2 · May 15, 2011, 12:55 PM

Sounds like a gun issue (since you've tested many bullets).

buck460XVR · May 15, 2011, 03:15 PM

I've used 4227 in my .460 with great results. H110/W296 gives me better velocities, but not much difference in accuracy. I've not had much success with 2400. I suspect that if you've tried as many combinations as you stated, and the barrel is not fouled, there's an issue with the gun and may be why it was in the used case to start with.

jimaw2 · May 16, 2011, 12:48 AM

I shot it again today with some light 230 gr loads. I checked the forcing cone and gave it a good scrub (it was dirty, but I have seen worse). It will keep 5 in 1 3/4" at 15 yds (no rest, but a solid seated position) and 4 out of 5 in 2 1/4" at 20 and 25 yds. A little better (at least with this light load). I like the flexibility of the gun/cartridge so will probably keep it. I am also thinking it may just be my aging eyes. I guess bigger targets or shorter ranges from now on. I will try another couple of powders when I get some more jacketed bullets. thank you for the replies..........

May 12, 2011, 10:10 PM	#1
jimaw2 Member Join Date: October 2, 2008 Location: n california Posts: 83	.454 powder questions I picked up a used bfr .454 3 months ago. Average group size at 25 yds is 3-5+ inches. The funny thing is i've have tried cast, jacketed and plated bullets from 230 gr to 320 gr and velocities ranging from 800-1700fps and not one load seems to shoot any tighter. All i am using is unique and h4227. Has anyone had a gun/cartridge that shot this poorly dramaticaly tighten up with a change of powder? If i can't find a load that will shoot 2 to 2 1/2" the gun is going down the road. My last bfr, a 45-70 would easily hold under 2" at 25 yds and under 4 at 50 and would do it with 300 or 405 grain bullets at velocities ranging from 800 to 1600 fps (guess i should have kept it!).

May 12, 2011, 10:13 PM	#2
shootniron Senior Member Join Date: April 16, 2011 Location: Georgia Posts: 1,599	I have always had good luck with W296, however, I have never loaded for the BFR. I have heard that primers can make a difference in accuracy, but I can't prove or disprove this. Some of the guys over on some of the handgun hunting forums contend that primers can make a difference in accuracy for some guns because of the jump of the bullet into the forcing cone. I do not know....honest. Last edited by shootniron; May 12, 2011 at 10:19 PM.

May 14, 2011, 09:39 PM	#3
bluetopper Senior Member Join Date: December 16, 2005 Location: Northeast TX Posts: 1,197	Try 2400 powder. Some powders can get a few more fps but my experience is none are more accurate in big magnum cartridges. Last edited by bluetopper; May 14, 2011 at 09:46 PM.

May 15, 2011, 10:52 AM	#4
314EPW Senior Member Join Date: June 14, 2007 Posts: 108	454 casull I use win296 it's great. I use Hornady 300 grain magnum with 31.5 grains of W296.I get 2 inches off a rest @ 50 yards.But you have to have a very heavy crimp!! My gun is a taurus Raging Bull with a 6 1/2 inch barrel.

May 15, 2011, 12:55 PM	#5
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	from here Sounds like a gun issue (since you've tested many bullets). __________________ . "all my ammo is mostly retired factory ammo"

May 15, 2011, 03:15 PM	#6
buck460XVR Senior Member Join Date: December 28, 2006 Posts: 4,342	I've used 4227 in my .460 with great results. H110/W296 gives me better velocities, but not much difference in accuracy. I've not had much success with 2400. I suspect that if you've tried as many combinations as you stated, and the barrel is not fouled, there's an issue with the gun and may be why it was in the used case to start with.

May 16, 2011, 12:48 AM	#7
jimaw2 Member Join Date: October 2, 2008 Location: n california Posts: 83	I shot it again today with some light 230 gr loads. I checked the forcing cone and gave it a good scrub (it was dirty, but I have seen worse). It will keep 5 in 1 3/4" at 15 yds (no rest, but a solid seated position) and 4 out of 5 in 2 1/4" at 20 and 25 yds. A little better (at least with this light load). I like the flexibility of the gun/cartridge so will probably keep it. I am also thinking it may just be my aging eyes. I guess bigger targets or shorter ranges from now on. I will try another couple of powders when I get some more jacketed bullets. thank you for the replies..........