New to me FA 83 in 454 The scope cam with it (used) Time to get some rounds down range

She's a pretty one.

MD,

Congratulations! Careful with that tho, they can be addictive!


Signed,

SC Hunter (FA Junky)

Very nice rig and if she shoots as good as she looks you have a winner.

Very nice!

very nice! what brand scope is that and what is the magnification

Congratulations cute outfit ..... ............

Its a Bushnell 2 x 7. I am having a little trouble using it as I have never handgun hunted but that about to change. Being from Indiana and having only 60 to 70 yards shots may switch to red dot.

Nice!

To each his own, but I'd probably keep the scope on it.

Very nice.

vary nice

Nice score, if your going to put a red dot on her, go with the Ultra Dot.

That's a right handsome rig there!

I had a bit of trouble with handgun scopes at first but soon got used to it,now all my handguns are scoped except my conseal carry. I am not a big fan of red dots but that is just me,it may be the perfect thing for you,it wont hurt to try.

I plan to give it a chance before just putting a red dot. I want to work up a load and then decide Thanks for the input

Well using MAGTECH 260 factory loads 20 rounds from 30 rounds could not get it sighted in after bore sighting. My wrist may not be able to handle the recoil after all. I have arthritis pretty bad time to think this through. I hate to shoot reduced loads as it defeats the purpose of a 454 I am disappointed to say the least

Don't hate to do that. You WILL NEVER find a more accurate gun that a FA most days. My favorite load for the easy shooting days is about 11.5 grains of 231/HP38 in 454 brass with a 250-260 cast bullet. In my 7.5" gun, it ran about 1140 and was a one hole load at 50 yards with open sights. I haven't tried it in the 10" gun but I bet it will be just fine. A 260 slug at 1150 will do just about anything you can ask of it in the lower 48 and it feels like a 38 special. Makes shooting it a lot of fun and you still have the horsepower if you ever want it. 80% of the loads through my guns these days are mid-range loads. A lot of my Casull loads are warm but I don't use them as much as I used to. Typical hunting load is about 1900 fps with the 260 FA bullet. My first FA was tightened back up at the factory because I was shooting about 300 rounds of VERY heavy 300 grainers a week through it back then. John was rebarreling it at FA and asked if the gun had ever seen a reduced load....a few was the answer

I know that most see the 454 only as a powerhouse but I find it to be an exceptionally accurate 45 colt as well....BUT...the power is there if you ever see the need for it, you just don't have to have it run full bore all the time to enjoy or utilize the weapon....Don't forget to keep a little oil on the front gas ring on the cylinder and the ratchet. Goes a long way to keeping them tight over the years on the heavy kickers...

X2 what Glenn said.

True glen. Never have seen the mythical hige reduction in accuracy of low power loads In any of my 454's and i have a total of 10 of them. The fa are the finest of the lot

OK so I want to hunt deer in Nov this year. I think I will take your advice and reduce some. I have not loaded 454 yet but have been reloading for a few years. Any recommendations Indiana deer are not that large and my longest rifle shot was 57 yards and closest was 15 yards a funny story with that. Both were a 44 magnum lever action using 240 FTX with one shot

The load I mentioned would easily do what you need. Just shoot it and get used to it. My magic spot for most slugs is in the 1100-1200 fps. I'm sort of like Sixshot, once I get it to 1100, I just mess with it a little and find out what shoots best and head to the woods

On the reloading note, seat and crimp in two steps. Not a big deal on the low end loads but not a bad habit to get used to. The upper end loads can pull slugs and bind a gun if not crimped properly. I will be testing some of the softer alloy HP cast slugs in the next few weeks as well in the 454. In the 1100-1200 fps range, they expand reliably and punch a nice hole in the critter. Haven't tried these in the 44 and 454 yet but they will be done soon. If they work well, you may want to touch base with Sixshot and see if he has any for sale at that point. The same alloy and velocities have worked wonderfully in the 475 so far so I have high expectations.

MadDog,
Another viable option is a good muzzle brake, they can reduce recoil by half. The suggestions above are also good. I kind'a think along the lines of you though; Why buy a racecar if you're just gonna cruise around the Sonic drive thru?

That being said, I believe the 454 is a very versatile, do-all caliber; from mild to wild. I wouldn't get rid of it.

I have worked a lot of mid power loads for my 454. HS-6 is a dandy powder for 250ish grain bullets in the 1100 fps range. I have lots more that shot pretty well from my FA, if you want me to share.

The 454 case seems to me to be no more difficult to work with mid range loads than the 45 colt case. The published reloading data directly from FA (website when you poke around) has a lot of reduced power/pressure loads.

Craig

I have a bunch of nice midrange loads with 240 to 340 gr bullets. Hs6 is a great powder.

Could I get some recipes using HS6 and the bullet I paln to keep her. My son in law was over and drooled on it stated he had never seen a Freedom Arms

Glenn plan to get some 260 lead bullets and try your load thanks

http://www.freedomarms.com/loading.html

I remember the first one I handled. I was hooked as soon as I started working the loading gate! The tolerances and attention to detail just amazed me. Glad to hear you are going to keep it!

Have fun!

GS

NICCCEEE!

Very Nice! Mad Dog.