Most of my life, I have been in the heavy for caliber bullets camp. I am getting older, years of working with hand tools and computers have taken their toll on my hands and wrists. Currently I am living in New Mexico, where elk is the biggest critter on the menu. My favorite handgun is my Freedom Arms 454 Casull, and for years my go to loads have been 325-335 grain bullets at 1450 or so, two decades ago that would have been closer to 1600. I am thinking of moving to a lighter bullet. I am thinking a cast bullet with a gas check that weighs between 265 and 285 grains. I cast my own, so I will be mold shopping. Right now, I do shoot the RCBS 45-270SAA bullet, but at anything over 1400 fps, it really leads in my pistol, it shoots very accurate, but scrubbing lead isn't my favorite chore. I am thinking a LFN design may be better than the WFN for stability past 50 yards, but I am no expert in that regard. I read about people taking some really nice big game animals with the 454 using bullets lighter than 300 grains, but it is tough to break the mindset of heavier is better. I have a SBH 480 Ruger, but just haven't really warmed up to it, I prefer my Freedom Arms, and I own 3 Bisley's, a 44, 45, and 480, but I always grab my well used FA. Hope to gain some insight here.

That's not a mindset... That's GOSPEL!!!!

You could just slow them down a bit.

Aaron

I agree with rickiesrevemge, back down the load a little more.

Bob

This would be my approach as well.

I agree with RR, Bob, and Whitworth.
Wait a minute.......There is to much agreement taking place here

Should we talk about magnum primers then???

I have no issues with slowing them down, been progressively (hate using that word these days) doing that for the last decade. I am just trying to figure out what is the lightest bullet I can use in the 454, and a bit more than moderate speed, that will be 100% effective on elk sized game animals if I do my part.

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These are what I have been shooting, first is the NOE 355, next an LBT 340, a 325gr offering from Mountain Molds, and finally the 285gr RCBS 45-270SAA.

I'd be confident with something in the 300 grain range.

That's what I used in my 460 S&W, and they worked well. Originally used the 300gr XTP MAG's, but tried some hardcast as well, and was happy with both. My favorites are the 335gr hardcast. I like em in the 45 Colt as well!

Thank you for all of the suggestions. Wondering if I should just send my pistol back to FA and have a 45 Colt cylinder fitted to it. Now that I have my NM Flattop 357 sorted out, I am going to try some different variables in the 454. One of the issues I have run across, is the heavier bullets at slower speed, they are fine at least to 50 yards, but for fun I like to shoot stumps and rocks out to 200 or so, becomes more and more challenging every year, but I notice if I slow the big ones down, they don't stay on target like the lighter bullets do.

Beartooth makes an excellent 280gr wfn in 45 caliber that has been great in performance and accuracy. Runs well with hs6 about 1400 fos or so.

Thank you again! I will post up what I finally decide on.