454 Casul brass life and other questions

[Kitchen_Duty]

I'm taking the plunge and buying a 454 to suit my "cannon" needs. I want to know how long the brass will last me. I am thinking mild loads mostly but can anyone give me an average. I am getting ready to go to college and trying to stock up on any of my reloading needs before I get out of the Navy.

I've also read that star line is one of the better brass companies. Most people recommend that I buy directly from their website. Anything different than those posts?

I've seen the hornady xtp mag bullets. They sound like some awesome hunting rounds. I will probably buy a couple hundred of those and call it good for a long time.

Also a side note. Has anyone measured the bore on their Ruger Super Redhawk? Is it .452?

 

[Grumulkin]

The brass should last many reloadings if used as you describe. The time to throw it away will be when the case mouths start cracking from repeated belling and crimping. Fifteen to twenty reloadings wouldn't be out of the question.

I use Starline brass for a couple of applications and have been pleased with it.

I've used Hornady XTP bullets in a 357 Herrett and they worked great.

I've never measured the bore on a firearm. I look at the barrel to see what it's chambered for and then consult a reloading manual to find the proper bullet diameter. The bore diameter on a Super Redhawk chambered for 454 Casull should accept .452 caliber bullets.

 

[feets]

You should be able to run .451 and .452 jacketed bullets without a problem.
You'll find some odd lead bullets in .454 but I wouldn't stuff 'em in the Casull.
Don't even bother with the .458 stuff. That's intended for use in 45-70s and such.

 

[campbell]

Starline is my favorite brass, and my Super Red shoots .452 cast bullets very well. I use .45 Colt brass though. Cheaper, and can be used in both my Super Red and my Bisley.

 

[Kitchen_Duty]

Thanks guys for your replies. So, I'm looking through the interweb and I can't find much data on Cast bullets for a 454. I want to use primarily Hodgson powder that I can use for both 454 and 357. I was thinking Lil' Gun or h110/296. Problem is that no one lists loads for cast bullets. Can anyone point me in the right direction?

 

[critter]

Look at IMR4227 for the .454 and it will work in the .357. For hunting, go with LNFP hard cast bullets OR JHP's especially made for the .454. Lesser JHP's may fragment when they hit at the higher velocities. I believe the xtp's come in both varieties. Good bullets.

 

[50 Shooter]

Go to www.loadswap.com and take a look around, they have some loads for different .454 stuff. I've loaded everything from 240-405 grain bullets for my Raging Bull, jacketed and cast.

I prefer H110 as it has given me really good results, I also use all different types of brass. Haven't really seen one brand stand out above the others when loading for it.

I also wouldn't worry about using a cast bullet that mics out at .454, lead gives alot. Just be sure to use cast bullets with a gas check if you plan on pushing them to .454 Casull limits.

 

[campbell]

Lil Gun will work in both, but stick to 158 and heavier in the .357.

This Taffin article has a couple .454 loads using cast bullets and Lil Gun.

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BQY/is_8_47/ai_76558929

Unless you really have an urge for punishment, I would urge you to consider heavy .45 Colt. Easier on the wrists, easier on the gun, easier to shoot well, and more than capable of taking any game in the U.S.

Check out the .45 Colt loads in the above article, as well as this one on heavy bullets in .45 Colt using Lil Gun and H110.

http://www.handloads.com/articles/default.asp?id=5