All Around Load For .454

As we all know there is not a "do it all" load for any gun, but I'm looking for something as close as possible for my .454. I want to use the gun for deer, bear and maybe elk without having to
change loads and re-sight the gun. Would a 325 gr. hard cast cover it? Grizzly is probably not on the menu but I do get into grizzly territory occasionally but very seldom. I know the 325 gr is a bit heavy for white tail deer but guessing its good on the others.

Short answer, yes absolutely.

For me a few additional things I'd consider would be: What range do I expect to shoot out to? That 325 will start dropping quick after about 75-100 yards. Also, and this is somewhat related - what, if any, optics are you planning to put on it?

If you are planning to keep your shots under 100 yards, I think your choice is spot on for anything in North America.

If you want to be able to stretch out to 150-200 yards, I'd personally drop down in weight a bit (250-270ish), and load as hot as I safely could.

Just my opinion...

I need to clarify...I'd only drop down in weight if I was trying to achieve a flatter trajectory. I realize the 250-260 grain bullet most likely won't carry the same energy as the 325. But it'd still be enough to knock out a deer, elk, bear, hog, Volkswagen, etc.

Most, if not all shots would be at 100 yards and in, open sighted but as my eyes fade I am considering a 2X scope in the future. Gun is Ruger SRH Toklat. I know the Hornady 240 gr. XTP would probably be ideal for deer but not so much on the elk and bears.
Didn't mention this before but all loads would be factory loads.

Federal Premium 300gr Swift A-Frame.

I echo kral?s sentiments but if you are a reloader go with the 325 aframe. Opens on everything. Holds together at 5 feet, stills expands at 200 yards. Wont over expand nor come apart. It actually is one load for everything. Ive used it from deer to cape buff and waterbuff, no failures and they die within sight.

AFRames or Xs. Both are superior to anything else as an all around bullet.

Hornady 300 XTP Mag

Even for bear and elk? Wouldn't I want deeper the penetration that a hard cast offers?

I use a 350 WFN from Matt's bullets. The load I use is 26 gr/ IMR 4227 with a CCI 400. It chronos 1350 fps out of a 7 1/2" FA 83. It will cover what you described well.

I stopped using XTPs because I was recovering a lot of them from 120-140# WV does. Figured if they couldn't penetrate a whitetail I better try something else.

New guy here, Brad from Colorado.
I spoke with FA earlier this year about what load they used to test their .454's. I was told they use the Hornady 300 gr. XTP factory load. My load is 31.1 gr H110, just a few tenths of a grain less than that factory load but my gun shoots it a little more accurately than the 31.4 max load my Hodgden manual lists. I have yet to shoot anything big with this load but it's been hell on the marmots this fall. Last year I shot an elk with the 250 gr. Barnes factory load. It worked quite well. I used to shoot a .44 mag with 325 hard cast and they gave tremendous penetration on an almost 600 lb black bear.

To be truthful with the aframe you dont need more penetration, more damage is your friend especially with bear and elk.

Randy? unless i was including the big bovines the 265 aframe is just fantastic and ive blown thru elk over 800lbs with that bullet. Would i hunt a capebuff with a 265 aframe? Absolutely.

260 Nosler Partition and enough 4227 to send it out the bore at 1700 fps. Wouldn't be afraid to use this load on anything in North America.

Dan

I would include the 300gr if you have them......