My "Beast Load" - .454 Casull
#169024
02/13/2016 10:50 PM
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Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 3,006
Zee
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OP
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Finally got around to loading some heavy bullets for my Ruger SRH .454 Casull. I've had a box of Matt's Bullets in 350gr RFN-GC for almost 2 years. I originally got them for my .460 S&W Encore pistol. But, that gun decidedly did NOT like them. So, they sat dormant until yesterday when I made some test loads for my Casull. Going off Hodgdon data for a 360gr gas checked bullet, I crammed in as much H110 as I could. Made 3 different loads to try out and ALL of them are quite compressed! The book max for the 360gr bullet is 34.0gr H110 and I could barely seat a bullet on top of that much powder. Guess the bullet I'm using is a bit longer than the one they used. Who knows? 33.0gr 33.5gr 34.0gr Hit the range this afternoon and immediately realized...........I forgot to bring my pistol rest. CRAP!!!! Well, necessity is the mother of invention. So, I used my target stand and two of my rear bags to make a pistol rest. It would have to do. Then, I clipped the target to the 50 yard backer and lined up the chronograph. Pulled the trigger on the first round of 33.0gr H110 and...........WOW! That was a hand full! Not painful, due to the absorbing Hogue grip, but incredibly vigorous. However, the first load didn't produce the group I was interested in. So, I went for the 33.5gr load next. .6" for three shots at 50 yards?!? With a muzzle velocity of 1,640 fps from a 7.5" barrel? That'll work!!!! I was hesitant to try the 34.0gr load, but went for it anyway. 1.194" @ 1,653 fps wasn't enough increase in velocity to justify the decrease in accuracy and increase in smoke (very dirty load). So, the 33.5gr load won the coin toss. I am now ready for................just about anything. I'll transition my 300gr WFN-GC loads to usage in my .454 Casull Bisley and use these 350gr loads in the Super Redhawk. No, I am NOT going to try these loads in my Bisley. It's enough of a handful with the 300gr loads. There is absolutely no need for this load with anything I regularly hunt. But, that's not the point........is it? It's just stupid fun to have a load I could hunt any game animal on the planet with.
"To Hell with efficiency, it's performance we want!" - Elmer Keith
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Re: My "Beast Load" - .454 Casull
[Re: Zee]
#169035
02/14/2016 2:02 AM
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Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 4,669
Chance Weldon
Distinguished Expert
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Why must you use such a foul word?
In all seriousness, looks like you've got it all: power, accuracy, five backup shots. Remind me to stay on your good side.
Formerly TN Lone Wolf
"We are only as strong as we are united, as weak as we are divided." - J.K. Rowling
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Re: My "Beast Load" - .454 Casull
[Re: Chance Weldon]
#169037
02/14/2016 2:18 AM
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Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 3,006
Zee
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power, accuracy, five backup shots. Which remains to be tested. A loaded round is almost flush with the front of the cylinder. If a bullet creeps forward in recoil, it won't take much to lock up the cylinder. I put an extra heavy crimp on the rounds. Using a Lee FCD, I went 1.5 turns on the crimp ring. 1/2 turn is considered a light crimp. 1 full turn is considered a heavy crimp. So, I went a full turn and a half for good measure. When I go zero the gun for this load on Monday, I will load the cylinder and see if there is any creep.
"To Hell with efficiency, it's performance we want!" - Elmer Keith
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Re: My "Beast Load" - .454 Casull
[Re: Zee]
#169044
02/15/2016 6:30 PM
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Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 3,006
Zee
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Loaded up 72 rounds Saturday night (all the bullets I had left) and hit the range on Sunday to zero the gun. Doing some ballistic programming showed that if I zeroed for 2" high at 50 yards, I should only be 1.5" low at 100 yards and about 4" low at 150 yards. So, that was the plan. And it worked out. Zeroed it at 50 yards, then adjusted the reticle to strike 2" high. Sweet! Put the steel target at 100 yards and held center. And that'll do what I need doing. Part of the testing I was conducting was to see if the recoil caused any creep in the bullets. Before: After: Looks like I'm good to go. At least after 3 rounds, which should cover most of my hunting. Here is a slow-motion video of the 100 yard steel shot. http://vid26.photobucket.com/albums/c106...zpsan7kry8l.mp4This is quite a dirty load. And energetic. I'm a VERY happy camper with this load! The Casull has finally come into its own!
"To Hell with efficiency, it's performance we want!" - Elmer Keith
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Re: My "Beast Load" - .454 Casull
[Re: Zee]
#169047
02/15/2016 6:39 PM
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Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 76
bullsi1911
journeyman
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journeyman
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 76 |
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Re: My "Beast Load" - .454 Casull
[Re: bullsi1911]
#169048
02/15/2016 11:23 PM
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Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 156
csherrill
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member
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Looks like the SRH is a shooter.
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Re: My "Beast Load" - .454 Casull
[Re: csherrill]
#169059
02/16/2016 4:05 PM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 5,512
Ernie
Distinguished Master
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NICE! Both the gun and the owner make a for a good combo. Fun to hear that clang in the video.
Ernie the Un-Tactical
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Re: My "Beast Load" - .454 Casull
[Re: Ernie]
#169060
02/16/2016 5:28 PM
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,101
Bearbait in NM
old hand
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old hand
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,101 |
I have 200 hundred or so of those loads (almost exactly) that I worked up for my FA 4 3/4 many many moons ago. They rest nicely at the bottom of my 454 ammo tub, never to see the light of day again, barring some type of alien invasion by very large creatures.....
Glad you are enjoying them, and you are better man than me.....
Craig
Northern born and Southern bred
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Re: My "Beast Load" - .454 Casull
[Re: Bearbait in NM]
#169061
02/16/2016 6:04 PM
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,642
BBwheelgunner
Pooh-Bah
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Pooh-Bah
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that will work! they could have had that load and gun in the last Jurassic Park movie
"If you are going to go through all the trouble to put a hole in something, why not make it a big one?"
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Re: My "Beast Load" - .454 Casull
[Re: BBwheelgunner]
#169062
02/16/2016 7:38 PM
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Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 192
thadf
member
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member
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glutton for punishment are we?
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Re: My "Beast Load" - .454 Casull
[Re: csherrill]
#169063
02/16/2016 10:56 PM
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Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 3,006
Zee
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Looks like the SRH is a shooter. Ironically, it does and it's not one of my favorite guns. Just can't warm up to the grip design. I prefer the Redhawk and SBH Bisley grip frame.
"To Hell with efficiency, it's performance we want!" - Elmer Keith
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Re: My "Beast Load" - .454 Casull
[Re: Ernie]
#169064
02/16/2016 10:57 PM
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Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 3,006
Zee
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NICE! Both the gun and the owner make a for a good combo. Fun to hear that clang in the video. Just point and flinch. Point and flinch. Repeat as necessary.
"To Hell with efficiency, it's performance we want!" - Elmer Keith
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Re: My "Beast Load" - .454 Casull
[Re: Bearbait in NM]
#169065
02/16/2016 10:58 PM
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Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 3,006
Zee
OP
Shooting Expert
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OP
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I have 200 hundred or so of those loads (almost exactly) that I worked up for my FA 4 3/4 many many moons ago. They rest nicely at the bottom of my 454 ammo tub, never to see the light of day again, barring some type of alien invasion by very large creatures.....
Glad you are enjoying them, and you are better man than me.....
Craig Take them out and dust them off. Fire one on occasion. Just as a reminder. :-)
"To Hell with efficiency, it's performance we want!" - Elmer Keith
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Re: My "Beast Load" - .454 Casull
[Re: thadf]
#169066
02/16/2016 11:01 PM
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Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 3,006
Zee
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glutton for punishment are we? I have my moments.
"To Hell with efficiency, it's performance we want!" - Elmer Keith
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Re: My "Beast Load" - .454 Casull
[Re: Zee]
#169153
02/23/2016 1:48 AM
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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 3,020
tradmark
Shooting Expert
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Thats a heckuva load. Good job and thats some great shooting!
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Re: My "Beast Load" - .454 Casull
[Re: tradmark]
#169160
02/23/2016 4:16 AM
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Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 3,006
Zee
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Thank you. It seems like it'll do whatever I need doing with a .454 Casull.
"To Hell with efficiency, it's performance we want!" - Elmer Keith
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Re: My "Beast Load" - .454 Casull
[Re: Zee]
#169172
02/23/2016 1:56 PM
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Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 4,669
Chance Weldon
Distinguished Expert
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Thank you. It seems like it'll do whatever I need doing with a .454 Casull. Whatever you need and then some.
Formerly TN Lone Wolf
"We are only as strong as we are united, as weak as we are divided." - J.K. Rowling
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