45LC bullet in 454 Casull case - minimum COL issue?

aaronerman · May 9, 2011, 12:28 PM

I'm reloading for my Ruger Super Redhawk Alaskan, which is chambered in .454 Casull (which of course will fire 45 long colt). I decided to load up a standard pressure Casull round, with a 250gr bullet that says 45LC on the box (Same diameter as Casull at .452, and the same weight, however shorter). The COL after a heavy crimp is 1.665! I've never seen a Casull round with less than a 1.750 length. It's not seated deeper, its just that the actual bullet is shorter than a same weight Casull bullet.

Here's a picture of what I'm talking about. The cartridge on the left with the bullet next to it are of correct COL, whereas the cartridge and bullet on the right are using a 45LC and much shorter. (Both are 250gr).

I've got this nagging feeling that it'll be unsafe to fire - BUT it's the same weight, diameter, and actually seated less than a .454 bullet.
What do you guys think? Since this technically falls under a minimum COL.
Will I be missing an eye after range day?

cracked butt · May 9, 2011, 12:48 PM

It'll be alright- from the looks of the picture, the amount of bullet inside the case is a bit less, giving you MORE volume for powder. It will only potentially be a safety issue if you are shooting minimum loads.

aaronerman · May 9, 2011, 01:09 PM

Well, it's 26gr of Lil'Gun, which is a starting load. I have heard of people going less without any issues. And this is a Ruger we're talking about... I think it'll be strong enough to handle just about anything.

I suppose I'm going to give this a try no matter what... but I want to get as much feedback as possible first.
Oh and I don't have a chrono right now, so I can't measure my velocity.

Crosshair · May 9, 2011, 01:55 PM

You should be fine, as has been mentioned, you have a larger space in the case, reducing the pressure over that of a standard 45 Colt. The only potential problem you might have is in terms of accuracy when the bullet jumps to the forcing cone. Then again you might not as it seems like the bearing surface is at the same point at the loaded round.

Mike / Tx · May 10, 2011, 05:50 AM

What you want to be careful and avoid is loading 45LC listed bullets, at 454 listed loads. In other words you want to be sure that your bullets are built for the magnum velocities and pressures before you load them to these levels.

In your picture, the one on the left appears to be a HP while the one on the right looks to be a FN, and this will be where you loose some of your length. As for the load, you should be fine as long as you stick with the 45 Colt data or the minimum loads for the 454.

cracked butt · May 10, 2011, 08:38 AM

Quote:

As for the load, you should be fine as long as you stick with the 45 Colt data or the minimum loads for the 454.

No. The only danger is that the bullet takes up less room in the case leaving more airspace inside. Undercharges of slow burning pistol powder have been known to cause detonation- though the rist is fairly remote. If anything, the OP wants no less than the minimum charge using .454 data for a 250 gr bullet.

aaronerman · May 10, 2011, 11:47 AM

Hmm, now I'm starting to think that I should have loaded a grain more than the minimum. Son't think I'll be loading up these 45lc bullets in my 454 cases any more. It's just that I can't find any cheap 454 specific bullets in bulk. Any suggestions? Maybe a different powder too that'll take up more room...

Crosshair · May 10, 2011, 09:22 PM

It's only the slow powders that have problems at low densities. Load something faster burning like Win 231 or Titegroup and you should be fine.

May 9, 2011, 12:28 PM	#1
aaronerman Junior Member Join Date: May 6, 2011 Posts: 13	45LC bullet in 454 Casull case - minimum COL issue? I'm reloading for my Ruger Super Redhawk Alaskan, which is chambered in .454 Casull (which of course will fire 45 long colt). I decided to load up a standard pressure Casull round, with a 250gr bullet that says 45LC on the box (Same diameter as Casull at .452, and the same weight, however shorter). The COL after a heavy crimp is 1.665! I've never seen a Casull round with less than a 1.750 length. It's not seated deeper, its just that the actual bullet is shorter than a same weight Casull bullet. Here's a picture of what I'm talking about. The cartridge on the left with the bullet next to it are of correct COL, whereas the cartridge and bullet on the right are using a 45LC and much shorter. (Both are 250gr). I've got this nagging feeling that it'll be unsafe to fire - BUT it's the same weight, diameter, and actually seated less than a .454 bullet. What do you guys think? Since this technically falls under a minimum COL. Will I be missing an eye after range day?

May 9, 2011, 01:55 PM	#4
Crosshair Senior Member Join Date: December 16, 2004 Location: Grand Forks, ND Posts: 5,333	You should be fine, as has been mentioned, you have a larger space in the case, reducing the pressure over that of a standard 45 Colt. The only potential problem you might have is in terms of accuracy when the bullet jumps to the forcing cone. Then again you might not as it seems like the bearing surface is at the same point at the loaded round. __________________ I don't carry a gun to go looking for trouble, I carry a gun in case trouble finds me.

May 10, 2011, 09:22 PM	#8
Crosshair Senior Member Join Date: December 16, 2004 Location: Grand Forks, ND Posts: 5,333	It's only the slow powders that have problems at low densities. Load something faster burning like Win 231 or Titegroup and you should be fine. __________________ I don't carry a gun to go looking for trouble, I carry a gun in case trouble finds me.

May 9, 2011, 12:48 PM	#2
cracked butt Senior Member Join Date: December 22, 2001 Location: southeastern wisconsin Posts: 537	It'll be alright- from the looks of the picture, the amount of bullet inside the case is a bit less, giving you *MORE* volume for powder. It will only potentially be a safety issue if you are shooting minimum loads.

May 9, 2011, 01:09 PM	#3
aaronerman Junior Member Join Date: May 6, 2011 Posts: 13	Well, it's 26gr of Lil'Gun, which is a starting load. I have heard of people going less without any issues. And this is a Ruger we're talking about... I think it'll be strong enough to handle just about anything. I suppose I'm going to give this a try no matter what... but I want to get as much feedback as possible first. Oh and I don't have a chrono right now, so I can't measure my velocity.

May 10, 2011, 05:50 AM	#5
Mike / Tx Senior Member Join Date: April 9, 2000 Posts: 2,139	What you want to be careful and avoid is loading 45LC listed bullets, at 454 listed loads. In other words you want to be sure that your bullets are built for the magnum velocities and pressures before you load them to these levels. In your picture, the one on the left appears to be a HP while the one on the right looks to be a FN, and this will be where you loose some of your length. As for the load, you should be fine as long as you stick with the 45 Colt data or the minimum loads for the 454.

May 10, 2011, 11:47 AM	#7
aaronerman Junior Member Join Date: May 6, 2011 Posts: 13	Hmm, now I'm starting to think that I should have loaded a grain more than the minimum. Son't think I'll be loading up these 45lc bullets in my 454 cases any more. It's just that I can't find any cheap 454 specific bullets in bulk. Any suggestions? Maybe a different powder too that'll take up more room...