Handloading 454

millers5285 · November 25, 2006, 07:46 AM

I'm getting started handloading 454 Casull. I can't seem to find 454 bullets. Since it is a stretched 45 Colt, are 45/.452 the bullets to use? Example Hornady 45/.452 300GR HP/XTP.

Ben Shepherd · November 25, 2006, 09:31 AM

Yes. Those are the correct bullets. If you look, hornady has 2 different 300 grain XTP's in that caliber, one is designated XTP-MAG. This one is designed around the high velocity 454 loads. Start with that one.

You do have at least 2 manuals for cross checking data, right?

millers5285 · November 25, 2006, 10:19 AM

If your talking about powder manuals, I'm checking Alliant and Hodgdon. Alliant has a recipe for the 454 using Hornady 300 XTP. It didn't specify MAG, but I will get those. It says to use 2400 for the powder but I heard it's awful dirty and the Federal 205M primer. I have Winchester cases. Do you have a recipe or recipes for the 454?

Edward429451 · November 25, 2006, 11:58 AM

2400 is kinda dirty. It's also very consistent. I use it in 44 mag and every time I try a different powder, I always come back to 2400. I expect it would give similar results in 454.

You;ll still have to clean your gun anyway. I could understand trying to use a 'clean' powder if you were going to be shooting hundreds of rounds a day like for IPSC or something. For a big bore revolver though, you'd be shorting yourself by not trying 2400.

Ben Shepherd · November 25, 2006, 12:53 PM

2400 will work fine if that's what you have. It will be slightly sooty, but it wipes right off. Winchester brass is good stuff.

I would recommend that you go get some 296 or H110 for this application though, it'll work a little better in those big cases if you're going after full snort loads. Make sure you use a very firm to hard crimp and magnum primers.

millers5285 · November 25, 2006, 01:39 PM

I talked to the gun dealer I'm buying reloading stuff from, who is also very familiar with pistol reloading. We looked at a few manuals and came up with:
Hornady 300 XTP-MAG bullets
Federal 205 Primer
H110 powder
Starting Load 28.2, Max Load 31.4

This recipe is also listed in the "The Complete Reloading Manual for 454 Casull"

In the future, I'm also going to start reloading S&W 460. I have several recipes using H110. Any suggestions or tips for this one?

Thanks for the replies, keep them coming.

Ben Shepherd · November 25, 2006, 02:06 PM

Your dealer has steered you in the right direction. Just remember to use a good crimp.

millers5285 · November 25, 2006, 06:21 PM

He's a real good guy and knows his stuff. I'm using a Lee reloader.....I've heard I don't need the 4th die, factory crimp die....true?

November 25, 2006, 07:46 AM	#1
millers5285 Member Join Date: November 25, 2006 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 77	Handloading 454 I'm getting started handloading 454 Casull. I can't seem to find 454 bullets. Since it is a stretched 45 Colt, are 45/.452 the bullets to use? Example Hornady 45/.452 300GR HP/XTP.

November 25, 2006, 09:31 AM	#2
Ben Shepherd Senior Member Join Date: August 11, 2001 Location: Utah Posts: 1,462	Yes. Those are the correct bullets. If you look, hornady has 2 different 300 grain XTP's in that caliber, one is designated XTP-MAG. This one is designed around the high velocity 454 loads. Start with that one. You do have at least 2 manuals for cross checking data, right? __________________ From my cold dead hands......... NRA certified rifle, pistol and shotgun instructor. Hunter education instructor

November 25, 2006, 12:53 PM	#5
Ben Shepherd Senior Member Join Date: August 11, 2001 Location: Utah Posts: 1,462	2400 will work fine if that's what you have. It will be slightly sooty, but it wipes right off. Winchester brass is good stuff. I would recommend that you go get some 296 or H110 for this application though, it'll work a little better in those big cases if you're going after full snort loads. Make sure you use a very firm to hard crimp and magnum primers. __________________ From my cold dead hands......... NRA certified rifle, pistol and shotgun instructor. Hunter education instructor

November 25, 2006, 02:06 PM	#7
Ben Shepherd Senior Member Join Date: August 11, 2001 Location: Utah Posts: 1,462	Your dealer has steered you in the right direction. Just remember to use a good crimp. __________________ From my cold dead hands......... NRA certified rifle, pistol and shotgun instructor. Hunter education instructor

November 25, 2006, 10:19 AM	#3
millers5285 Member Join Date: November 25, 2006 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 77	If your talking about powder manuals, I'm checking Alliant and Hodgdon. Alliant has a recipe for the 454 using Hornady 300 XTP. It didn't specify MAG, but I will get those. It says to use 2400 for the powder but I heard it's awful dirty and the Federal 205M primer. I have Winchester cases. Do you have a recipe or recipes for the 454?

November 25, 2006, 11:58 AM	#4
Edward429451 Junior member Join Date: November 12, 2000 Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado Posts: 9,494	2400 is kinda dirty. It's also very consistent. I use it in 44 mag and every time I try a different powder, I always come back to 2400. I expect it would give similar results in 454. You;ll still have to clean your gun anyway. I could understand trying to use a 'clean' powder if you were going to be shooting hundreds of rounds a day like for IPSC or something. For a big bore revolver though, you'd be shorting yourself by not trying 2400.

November 25, 2006, 01:39 PM	#6
millers5285 Member Join Date: November 25, 2006 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 77	I talked to the gun dealer I'm buying reloading stuff from, who is also very familiar with pistol reloading. We looked at a few manuals and came up with: Hornady 300 XTP-MAG bullets Federal 205 Primer H110 powder Starting Load 28.2, Max Load 31.4 This recipe is also listed in the "The Complete Reloading Manual for 454 Casull" In the future, I'm also going to start reloading S&W 460. I have several recipes using H110. Any suggestions or tips for this one? Thanks for the replies, keep them coming.

November 25, 2006, 06:21 PM	#8
millers5285 Member Join Date: November 25, 2006 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 77	He's a real good guy and knows his stuff. I'm using a Lee reloader.....I've heard I don't need the 4th die, factory crimp die....true?