454 Problems, Revolver Cases Expanding

[crazy-mp]

I took my 454 out this weekend and after the first 5 rounds I went to eject the cases and all 5 were stuck in the cylinder. When I say stuck I mean they had to be driven out with a punch.

This was the first thing that made me mad, the second was all my shots were about 2 foot low on the target. The 260 Winchester that I shot when I first got the gun was only about 2 inches high.

Then the final insult from the ammo was digging the un-expanded HP slug out of my backstop, yes you read that right UN-EXPANDED, my backstop starts with 2 pieces of 1/2 plywood then has two 2 X 12 sandwiched and about 5 feet of pallets with 2X4's filling the inside cavities of the pallets.

A bullet that has a little over 1800 Ft Lb of energy should have done more that this right? Anyone have any comments about the ammo or is it my gun? tried some Hornaday 300 gr. XTP factory

 

[gbran]

I've run hundreds of factory and reloads thru mine and have never had your problems. Very rarely, I've had one stuck case (not all 6). Sounds like you got some bad ammo. You did say you tried Hornady XTP's, but you didn't give any results.

Had you shot any 45 Colts and not cleaned the cyl before switching over to the 454's? This could cause overpressure and might explain the stuck cases, but I can't figure the duds.

 

[gbran]

BTW, 300 gr factory XTP's are my favorite all around cartridge. Never had any problems with them. Dropped deer and hogs with them too.

 

[86thecat]

What type of revolver? The thin cylinder walls on Ruger 6 shots are springy enough to have sticking problems with over pressure ammo. Have you fired any ammo which may have caused a leading or brass build up increasing the pressure?

 

[RippinSVT]

Were you firing .44 Mag rounds by mistake?

Just kidding.

 

[Majic]

I would first give the chambers a good cleaning and inspect closely. Mic the cases you had to drive out and mic the Winchester cases then compare.
Was the HP nose clogged up with wood? A clogged HP will act just like a FMJ and not expand.

 

[crazy-mp]

I have not shot any 45 LC out of my 454.

I have a 454 Taurus Raging Bull with 6 1/2 ported barrel. I have only shot the gun 30 times, basically it is new. I clean the gun after each time I take it out and shoot it, like I do all my guns, I think I am the only one who soes anymore from some of the used guns I have bought.

The walls on the Raging Bull are really thick in my opinion the gun only holds five rounds.

I contacted Hornady and they want me to send the ammo back to tem and they are going to test it, and replace it.

As for the HP not expanding, It might have filled up with wood on the way in, however when I looked at the slug and showed it to a friend he thought the copper plating was really thick, so we will see in a few weeks!

 

[cottonmouth]

Sounds like the ammo was too hot to me. I have seen this with mt SRH after I worked up a load with 2400 that caused the cases to stick, droped down a grain and it solved the problem. I do remember shooting some Hornady loads that stuck also, but dont remember what grain.

J.B .

 

[Gun 4 Fun]

I would check the chamber throats. You may have a gun that came through on the tight side. They should measure at the very least, .451 but .452 would be proper. If they are under .451, that will sure make pressures climb in a hurry, especially in a cartridge that operates at 55,000- 60,000 P.S.I.

 

[crazy-mp]

I was talking with a friend toady his dad has a Ruger 454 and he bought some Hornaday 250 Gr. bullets and the same thing happened to him, maybe they had some hot rounds slip through.

 

[dmproske]

I had a Ruger SRH .454 with the 7.5" barrel. Bought it new about 5 or 6 years ago. Most .454 loads would stick somewhat in the cylinder. Hornady loads stuck the most. I was overall disappointed in the gun.

 

[Redhawk1]

A lot of factory 454 Casull Ammo runs hot. I suggest you reload and find a load that shoots well and will not stick.

I load for all my handgun, and never get any sticking brass.

 

[crazy-mp]

Well I was contacted by Hornady on Monday. Today I received a box from them...

The person who does the quality control told me that my ammo was within the range for industry standard, the max chamber pressure is supposed to be 57,000 psi or less mine came in right at 50,000.

I asked them about the bullets not expanding and they said they did expansion test and the bullet preformed fine.

The cases swelled up and shrank in their barreled action they use and they did not have any problems getting the cases out.

So I guess its time to have the gun looked at, or I will just go back to the Winchester loads that I shot before, I didn’t have any trouble with them.

They also sent me a free hat...

 

[GregGry]

They also sent me a free hat...

Haha thats cool.

I am sorry to hear about your troubles. I have fired the same ammo although it wasn't out of a taurus. I never had issues with it (Granted I only shot around 10 rounds of it). Sounds to me that you should check the diameter of the cylinder and barrel. Something might be going on with tight clearances. Good luck with your gun

 

[kludge]

I recently bought a box of 240gr XTP for hunting season.

No sticking.