45 colt out of 454

[Millamber457]

I'm sure this topic has been covered , but considering how hard brass is to come by as of late for the 45colt , i was given a bag of new 454 brass for nothing . can i cut it down and use it for the colt ? i know the 454 uses small rifle primers , but if i use small pistol magnim primers , can i use load data for the 45 colt int these cases , i plan on using them in a ruger black hawk, and a marlin .

 

[Sniderman]

I shoot the .454 and have run some .45LC through it, The LC is the parent case for the .454 so Yeah, you could trim them to size & the would load in the cylinder. Experimenting to find the right primer/powder combo would be interesting.
The .454 is a lengthened & "structurally improved" LC. meaning beefier around the rim & flash hole, so ignition from a standard primer may be sketchy. The Magnum primer seems to be the way to go.
Cut a few, do some experimenting with powder & primers, & report back here!

Remember to Play Safe!

 

[PapaG]

I doubt that you would need magnum primers. You will probably be using a fast burning powder like Bullseye, Red Dot, Clays or such and they ignite easily.
I'd go with standard Colt loads (real name: 45 Colt). Maybe cut back a couple percent for reduced case capacity.
I cut down 44 mag brass to special length years back when no special brass was available. Marked the heads with red nail polish to identify (suggest you do the same with your 454 stuff) and I'm still using it.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

IMO that would be a waste of good and expensive brass. I know all brass is hard to find right now but the fringe cartridges are especially hard to find and the 454 Casull is one of them. I'm sure you can trade the 454 Casull brass for 45 Colt brass and even gain in the trade. It would be a shame to cut down perfectly good 454 Casull brass.

Example:
Starline 45 Colt brass - $24.99/100
Starline 454 Casull brass - $39.99/100

 

[Millamber457]

trading

yeah I'd trade if off , it's nickle plated cases and none of my other 45colt brass is nickle so I could keep it separate , no problem. I prefer led bullets for all my shooting , and tend to use Unique powder , that tends to be a little bit more available around here for some reason . I had taken the 454 brass , since one never looks a gift horse in the mouth , since it's brand new and never fired . Every web site I checked said out of stock for the 45colt brass.I figured I'd post here and get some ideas, and suggestions. Thanks for any input you guys and gals care to share !

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Oh I would have taken it too, why not? If you can't find any 45 Colt brass there's no reason why you "can't" trim down that brass. Just try to go slowly because it's possible to chip off the Nickle if you go fast.

BTW, Midway has plenty of Remington 45 colt brass in stock from lots of 100 to 2000 pieces.
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/1601278960/remington-reloading-brass-45-colt-long-colt

 

[41 Mag]

To be honest I wouldn't mess with trimming them down either. For one you could quite possibly run into having the bullets swedged down smaller simply due to the thicker case of the 454. I mention could as I don't have the cases in front of me to mic.

That said I have loaded plenty of lighter loads for my 454 using 454 cases and faster powders worked up. On the other hand if you shooting specifically a 45 Colt and simply want new Colt cases I am sure there are a few folks who would easily swap you out case for case for your new unmessed with 454 brass.

If your interested shoot me a PM with what ya got heck I will swap them out and make it right for ya.

 

[Edster12]

I was just going to tell you that Cabela's has 45 Colt brass, I ordered some this weekend. Went to check before posting and saw that they no longer have it. Also found out that the price of 454 brass is now $41.99. WOW $2.00 price increase in as many days.

Another option is to go to Starline's website. Set up an account and get on their notification list. They were allowing Back Orders for the 45 Colt about a month ago. It's almost time for them to start running it again I think. Last price from Starline direct was just over $100.00 for 500 cases w/free shipping.

 

[Millamber457]

@Sniderman, if i do it , i will let ya know , i may have a swap in the works , and thats a good thing , i'd rather help someone who had a 454 , if they can help me with the 45colt , it's all good , if i was gonna try it looks like it will be a while , powder and primers are impossible to get right now , i thought it was only loaded ammo that was bad , but brass, primers and powder are too , what gives with that , hoarders?