Good whitetail deer load for 454 casull

Dano4734 · September 23, 2017, 07:02 PM

Any suggestions on a good deer load for the 454 casull, or would you use a long colt in it instead. Any suggestions. Thanks

BBarn · September 23, 2017, 07:18 PM

Are you looking for a handload or factory load?

Kwik2010 · September 23, 2017, 07:30 PM

I would personally stick with a 45 colt. Whitetail are pretty thin skinned in my experience.

Dano4734 · September 23, 2017, 08:01 PM

Factory only I have no way to hand load. I was wondering if I should shoot long colt for them instead of the 454

50 shooter · September 23, 2017, 08:37 PM

Hornady, Federal and Barnes all make a good hunting round in 250-260gr ammo. If you need more then those, look at Corbon or Buffalo Bore.

BBarn · September 23, 2017, 08:52 PM

Most factory 454 loads are very stout, well above what is necessary for deer. Winchester makes a somewhat lower power 454 load in the Super X line. There may be a better selection of 45 Colt loads suitable for deer.

Deaf Smith · September 23, 2017, 09:07 PM

Any old .454 load will do in a white tailed deer. Just pick one and shoot strait.

Deaf

Dano4734 · September 23, 2017, 09:08 PM

Sounds like the 45 long colt is the way to go . Thank you

Kwik2010 · September 23, 2017, 11:58 PM

I dropped a mule deer a few years ago using the Barnes Vortex ammo. DRT. Bullet was recovered just inside the opposite shoulder from entry. I didn't weigh it but I'd bet it was 95-100% weight retention. Every petal was intact. That's what I would suggest for a factory load.

22-rimfire · September 24, 2017, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dano4734

Sounds like the 45 long colt is the way to go . Thank you

Depends on the range the way I see it. Long shots, I'd go with 454 C.

jackmoser65 · September 24, 2017, 12:46 PM

Appropriate 454 ammo is easier to find, as it most it is appropriate. Most factory 45 colt ammo is not. All you need is a good 240 to 260 grain load.

Dufus · September 24, 2017, 12:59 PM

I use 24 gr of AA2400 with a 250 gr jacketed bullet.

I use 26 gr of AA2400 with a 255 gr cast bullet.

Both have been clocked in the high 14s for velocity (approximately 1478 avg velocity). That is plenty for what I do.

Dano4734 · September 24, 2017, 01:58 PM

Sounds like a better plan to stick with the 454, I saw magtec has a 240 grain

BBarn · September 24, 2017, 07:30 PM

The Magtech 454 Casull ammo, like the majority of factory 454 ammo is very stout and well above what is needed for deer. If you are able to shoot those loads well, you can certainly use them successfully on deer. But many, or perhaps even most, people don't shoot 240 gr bullets at 1800 fps all that well. More power to those who do. Personally, I would look for something along the lines of 240 to 260 gr at 1000 to 1200 fps. Such a load will bring home the meat and be considerably easier to shoot well.

Radny97 · September 24, 2017, 10:49 PM

I've got a mild 454 load that would work well. It's my plinking load for 454 and delivers about the same foot pounds as a hot 44 mag.
260 gn jacketed bullet over 14.3 gns of HS-6. Averages 1150 fps from my Super Blackhawk Bisley 6.5 inch barrel.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Dano4734 · September 25, 2017, 08:32 AM

I tried the mag tech 240. It really wasn't bad at all. Not like the federal vital shok 300. I took a lot of white tail with my 44 mag so I am pretty much use to the big bore handguns. I think I will try the magtech on the critters

Dano4734 · September 25, 2017, 08:34 AM

I could not believe the recoil difference in the two rounds. Does 60 more grains make it that more stiff.

BBarn · September 25, 2017, 08:50 AM

According to published ballistics, I wouldn't expect a big difference in recoil between the two rounds. Perhaps the powder choices produced a big difference in muzzle blast. At any rate, if you are comfortable with the Magtech round I would use it.

50 shooter · September 25, 2017, 06:12 PM

There will definitely be a difference, heavier bullet and different powder charge. You'll definitely be able to tell when you're shooting the two because of this.

The 260gr rounds will be more than enough for taking deer, try out the 300 and see how many you can keep on target Vs. the 260. You can probably guess what the outcome will be but you'll get some practice shooting some heavier projos out of your pistol.

Dano4734 · September 25, 2017, 08:38 PM

I went back to the range tonight again.. The 300 federal gave me a spanking big time. That 240 grain was more than my 44 mag, but the grips they put on the ruger reallymade it aacceptable to this old guy. That federal round was great for the first two shots then my palm said ouch and I was off bad. Much better with the 240

Dano4734 · September 25, 2017, 08:40 PM

Radny has a great idea. I need to find someone who reloads because that recipe sounds great for white tail

50 shooter · September 25, 2017, 10:21 PM

Where are you located?

That would help if you want to load up some ammo, if someone is close maybe they can set up a press and then let you load up some ammo. To much liability these days for someone to just load up some ammo for you.

I have two friends with their FFL's that could load it for you, problem is they're here in SoCal. Either one can load you up the ammo anyway you want it and then ship it to you. If you're interested, PM me and I can put you in contact with either one.

Dano4734 · September 26, 2017, 12:43 PM

My brother, I so wish I could. I live in New York State and now there new safe act won't even allow me to buy ammo on the Internet without shipping to an ffl dealer and paying for the paperwork ugh.. Terrible. You can't believe the stuff us good guys now have to go through. At least I got my conceiled carry permit years ago when you still could. Awful

September 23, 2017, 07:02 PM	#1
Dano4734 Senior Member Join Date: October 6, 2014 Posts: 730	Good whitetail deer load for 454 casull Any suggestions on a good deer load for the 454 casull, or would you use a long colt in it instead. Any suggestions. Thanks

September 23, 2017, 08:37 PM	#5
50 shooter Senior Member Join Date: August 6, 2002 Location: SoCal PRK Posts: 986	Hornady, Federal and Barnes all make a good hunting round in 250-260gr ammo. If you need more then those, look at Corbon or Buffalo Bore. __________________ I see the world thru bloodshot eyes Streets filled with blood from distant lies The dogs of war never compromise, No time for rearranging.

September 23, 2017, 09:07 PM	#7
Deaf Smith Senior Member Join Date: October 31, 2000 Location: Texican! Posts: 4,453	Any old .454 load will do in a white tailed deer. Just pick one and shoot strait. Deaf __________________ “To you who call yourselves ‘men of peace,’ I say, you are not safe without men of action by your side” Thucydides

September 25, 2017, 06:12 PM	#19
50 shooter Senior Member Join Date: August 6, 2002 Location: SoCal PRK Posts: 986	There will definitely be a difference, heavier bullet and different powder charge. You'll definitely be able to tell when you're shooting the two because of this. The 260gr rounds will be more than enough for taking deer, try out the 300 and see how many you can keep on target Vs. the 260. You can probably guess what the outcome will be but you'll get some practice shooting some heavier projos out of your pistol. __________________ I see the world thru bloodshot eyes Streets filled with blood from distant lies The dogs of war never compromise, No time for rearranging.

September 25, 2017, 10:21 PM	#22
50 shooter Senior Member Join Date: August 6, 2002 Location: SoCal PRK Posts: 986	Where are you located? That would help if you want to load up some ammo, if someone is close maybe they can set up a press and then let you load up some ammo. To much liability these days for someone to just load up some ammo for you. I have two friends with their FFL's that could load it for you, problem is they're here in SoCal. Either one can load you up the ammo anyway you want it and then ship it to you. If you're interested, PM me and I can put you in contact with either one. __________________ I see the world thru bloodshot eyes Streets filled with blood from distant lies The dogs of war never compromise, No time for rearranging.

September 23, 2017, 07:18 PM	#2
BBarn Senior Member Join Date: December 22, 2015 Posts: 887	Are you looking for a handload or factory load?

September 23, 2017, 07:30 PM	#3
Kwik2010 Senior Member Join Date: August 17, 2016 Location: Montana Posts: 184	I would personally stick with a 45 colt. Whitetail are pretty thin skinned in my experience.

September 23, 2017, 08:01 PM	#4
Dano4734 Senior Member Join Date: October 6, 2014 Posts: 730	Factory only I have no way to hand load. I was wondering if I should shoot long colt for them instead of the 454

September 23, 2017, 08:52 PM	#6
BBarn Senior Member Join Date: December 22, 2015 Posts: 887	Most factory 454 loads are very stout, well above what is necessary for deer. Winchester makes a somewhat lower power 454 load in the Super X line. There may be a better selection of 45 Colt loads suitable for deer.

September 23, 2017, 09:08 PM	#8
Dano4734 Senior Member Join Date: October 6, 2014 Posts: 730	Sounds like the 45 long colt is the way to go . Thank you

September 23, 2017, 11:58 PM	#9
Kwik2010 Senior Member Join Date: August 17, 2016 Location: Montana Posts: 184	I dropped a mule deer a few years ago using the Barnes Vortex ammo. DRT. Bullet was recovered just inside the opposite shoulder from entry. I didn't weigh it but I'd bet it was 95-100% weight retention. Every petal was intact. That's what I would suggest for a factory load.

September 24, 2017, 12:46 PM	#11
jackmoser65 Senior Member Join Date: October 11, 2014 Posts: 754	Appropriate 454 ammo is easier to find, as it most it is appropriate. Most factory 45 colt ammo is not. All you need is a good 240 to 260 grain load.

September 24, 2017, 12:59 PM	#12
Dufus Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 2014 Posts: 1,965	I use 24 gr of AA2400 with a 250 gr jacketed bullet. I use 26 gr of AA2400 with a 255 gr cast bullet. Both have been clocked in the high 14s for velocity (approximately 1478 avg velocity). That is plenty for what I do.

September 24, 2017, 01:58 PM	#13
Dano4734 Senior Member Join Date: October 6, 2014 Posts: 730	Sounds like a better plan to stick with the 454, I saw magtec has a 240 grain

September 24, 2017, 07:30 PM	#14
BBarn Senior Member Join Date: December 22, 2015 Posts: 887	The Magtech 454 Casull ammo, like the majority of factory 454 ammo is very stout and well above what is needed for deer. If you are able to shoot those loads well, you can certainly use them successfully on deer. But many, or perhaps even most, people don't shoot 240 gr bullets at 1800 fps all that well. More power to those who do. Personally, I would look for something along the lines of 240 to 260 gr at 1000 to 1200 fps. Such a load will bring home the meat and be considerably easier to shoot well.

September 24, 2017, 10:49 PM	#15
Radny97 Senior Member Join Date: July 8, 2015 Posts: 1,021	I've got a mild 454 load that would work well. It's my plinking load for 454 and delivers about the same foot pounds as a hot 44 mag. 260 gn jacketed bullet over 14.3 gns of HS-6. Averages 1150 fps from my Super Blackhawk Bisley 6.5 inch barrel. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

September 25, 2017, 08:32 AM	#16
Dano4734 Senior Member Join Date: October 6, 2014 Posts: 730	I tried the mag tech 240. It really wasn't bad at all. Not like the federal vital shok 300. I took a lot of white tail with my 44 mag so I am pretty much use to the big bore handguns. I think I will try the magtech on the critters

September 25, 2017, 08:34 AM	#17
Dano4734 Senior Member Join Date: October 6, 2014 Posts: 730	I could not believe the recoil difference in the two rounds. Does 60 more grains make it that more stiff.

September 25, 2017, 08:50 AM	#18
BBarn Senior Member Join Date: December 22, 2015 Posts: 887	According to published ballistics, I wouldn't expect a big difference in recoil between the two rounds. Perhaps the powder choices produced a big difference in muzzle blast. At any rate, if you are comfortable with the Magtech round I would use it.

September 25, 2017, 08:38 PM	#20
Dano4734 Senior Member Join Date: October 6, 2014 Posts: 730	I went back to the range tonight again.. The 300 federal gave me a spanking big time. That 240 grain was more than my 44 mag, but the grips they put on the ruger reallymade it aacceptable to this old guy. That federal round was great for the first two shots then my palm said ouch and I was off bad. Much better with the 240

September 25, 2017, 08:40 PM	#21
Dano4734 Senior Member Join Date: October 6, 2014 Posts: 730	Radny has a great idea. I need to find someone who reloads because that recipe sounds great for white tail

September 26, 2017, 12:43 PM	#23
Dano4734 Senior Member Join Date: October 6, 2014 Posts: 730	My brother, I so wish I could. I live in New York State and now there new safe act won't even allow me to buy ammo on the Internet without shipping to an ffl dealer and paying for the paperwork ugh.. Terrible. You can't believe the stuff us good guys now have to go through. At least I got my conceiled carry permit years ago when you still could. Awful