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Trying a new caliber - 454 Casull

Posted By: IAshooter

Trying a new caliber - 454 Casull - 01/19/2021 8:07 PM

I have hunted several years with a 44 mag (Had a Super Redhawk and a Blackhawk Bisly, both 7.5" bbl) and 4 years with a 460 S&W (8-3/8" bbl) over the years, but I like to try new things and couldn't pass up a new Ruger New Model Super Backhawk with a 6-1/2" bbl in 454 Casull. I think I'm going to try and get hold of a Leupold M8-2X to put on it (I'm watching a couple on Ebay) but need ideas on a possible scope mount as I see these are no longer available jackweigand.com

Anyone have the same or similar set up? If so, what ranges are you comfortably hunting at? Also, I intend to be loading my own ammo eventually, but I did get a box of the Hornady 240gr XTP MAG and a box of Hornady 300gr XTP MAG to see which ammo it might like better and I might shoot better with. Any particular preference from someone with the same or similar set up if you've used these 2 different weights of ammo?

Thanks in advance for any thoughts/replies.
Posted By: H2OBUG

Re: Trying a new caliber - 454 Casull - 01/19/2021 10:00 PM

I have had two Super Redhawks and a Encore in 454. I currently have a Super Blackhawk in 480.

I enjoy shooting the 45 Colt much more than the 454. Although the 45 Colt loads are pretty stoked up they just don't seem to have the recoil of the 454. Truthfully I can't seem to get them more dead with the 454. I ended up loading the 454 down and using the 250XTP. So I sold both and just stay with the 45 Colts.
Mind you I tried this twice.

Now the 480 Ruger Blackhawk I have shoots well and recoil is reasonable.
I shoot 275 and 350 Speer bullets out of it.
Posted By: Vance in AK.

Re: Trying a new caliber - 454 Casull - 01/19/2021 10:12 PM

IAshooter, unless they told you it won't work I would go with this one
https://www.jackweigand.com/raswms.html

H2OBUG, I have a 7.5" Super Redhawk in 480 & love it.
Last year I picked up a Super Blackwawk Hunter in 44mag. I enjoy it too, but truly wish they made the SBH Hunter in 480. I'd own one in a heartbeat!
Posted By: H2OBUG

Re: Trying a new caliber - 454 Casull - 01/19/2021 11:10 PM

As for the scope mount I would do a Burris or Leupold duel dovetail mount.
Pretty hard to beat
Posted By: wvhitman

Re: Trying a new caliber - 454 Casull - 01/20/2021 12:31 AM

I have .454s in a FA, Ruger SuperRed, and Taurus Raging Bull. All are fine guns, but the FA is "finer".
You might want to rethink your scope choice. The .454 can be a long range round (150-200), but a 2Xcope is not a long range scope. Might want to consider a 2-8 Weaver or Leupold, 2-6 Simmons, or a Bushnell Elite 2-6 (not made, but pop up at times on some sites).
And for bullets, I never had luck with the XTPs. Recovered many from deer, especially on angled shots. A .454 has enough power to penetrate completely with the right bullet. I've taken 75+ deer with a 260 Speer HP, 250 Win. HP, 250 gr. Keith SWCs. All had 100% penetration on any angled shot.
The lighter bullets shoot flatter with more terminal damage than the heavies.
My FA .454 is my 100% turkey gun. I use the old Speer 260 gr. Mag HPs & a Bushnell 2-6X Elite. Hit them in the wing butt with no meat loss. Longest turkey shot is 129 yds. That gun has taken 37 turkeys without a loss.
I use SSKs T'SOB base. No problems in 20+ years.
Posted By: IAshooter

Re: Trying a new caliber - 454 Casull - 01/20/2021 3:21 PM

I think I have decided to keep this one as an open sights hunting handgun but I ordered one of these to replace the front sight. https://www.amazon.com/Hi-Viz-North-RBLW01-Litewave-Blackhawk/dp/B018JRC0BC Anyone else using this or a similar front sight? Thoughts?
Posted By: Zee

Re: Trying a new caliber - 454 Casull - 01/20/2021 4:06 PM

I have the same gun in .454 Casull. I replaced the front sight with a fiber optic like you did and it?s night and day for my grouping and ability to pick up the front sight. I?ve gotten to where I change the front sights on all my SBH handguns to fiber optic.

I run 300gr WFN-GC Bullets through mine with 31.0gr H110 @ 1,517 fps.
Posted By: 454 Casull

Re: Trying a new caliber - 454 Casull - 01/25/2021 11:07 PM

I have 2 FA guns, both 8 3/8" one has a Bausch and Lomb 2x and the other a 2x Louie, neither made anymore too bad. Not much of anything in pistol scopes any more. I use the T'SOB as well, Kenny at Magnaport does my work Doc says it all the mount flat works. I load pretty stiff with my 300 gr XTP Mags 1720 ish through a chrono and have yet to recover a bullet but claimed every deer that I did my part on. Got some stiff hardcast loads too but that kinda defeats the purpose of a HC, what can I say velocity freak. If you want glass I think the 2x8 is your best bet, have seen a few Burris not make it, the company stands behind then but eh? There are far more experienced guys on this forum but this is my contribution.
Posted By: Reloder28

Re: Trying a new caliber - 454 Casull - 04/08/2021 1:52 AM

 Originally Posted By: Vance in AK.
IAshooter, unless they told you it won't work I would go with this one
https://www.jackweigand.com/raswms.html

H2OBUG, I.........truly wish they made the SBH Hunter in 480. I'd own one in a heartbeat!


Me too. However, I wasn’t waiting. So, I bought two 480 SBH’s & had them custom fitted with Elk antler grips, beauties they are.
Posted By: bluecow

Re: Trying a new caliber - 454 Casull - 04/11/2021 12:58 PM

Now add a Warren Custom Outdoor "one ragged hole" rear sight:)
Posted By: Reloder28

Re: Trying a new caliber - 454 Casull - 04/25/2021 2:13 AM

 Originally Posted By: H2OBUG
I have had two Super Redhawks and a Encore in 454. I currently have a Super Blackhawk in 480.

I enjoy shooting the 45 Colt much more than the 454. Although the 45 Colt loads are pretty stoked up they just don't seem to have the recoil of the 454. Truthfully I can't seem to get them more dead with the 454. I ended up loading the 454 down and using the 250XTP. So I sold both and just stay with the 45 Colts.
Mind you I tried this twice.

Now the 480 Ruger Blackhawk I have shoots well and recoil is reasonable.
I shoot 275 and 350 Speer bullets out of it.


‘Zackly what I did & am currently doing. 45 Colt & 480 Ruger.
Posted By: Hawkeye_fh

Re: Trying a new caliber - 454 Casull - 04/28/2021 3:40 AM

I have the same gun in .454 with a Weigand mount and a Ultradot Matchdot. I am not a fan of the balance, so I am in the process of going back to irons with the upgraded Hi-viz.

I had good luck with the accuracy of the factory Federal Fusion 260gr as well as handloads with the Hornady 250gr XTP with a upper end charge of Titegroup. I don’t remember the load off of the top of my head, but it had low extreme spreads. Both loads mentioned above are mild loading. They are much closer to heavy .45 Colt or .44 Mag ballistics than full-tilt .454 loads. No clue as to how they handle flesh though.
Posted By: IAshooter

Re: Trying a new caliber - 454 Casull - 05/01/2021 8:08 AM

 Originally Posted By: bluecow
Now add a Warren Custom Outdoor "one ragged hole" rear sight:)


Done. I like the idea of a rear aperture for sure.


Thanks!
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