I am the proud owner of a SBH 454 Casull that I topped with a Leupold 2x scope. The center of the scope is +1.5" above the center of the bore. I've got a supply of bullets ranging from 240 grn Hornady XTP Mag to 360 grn hardcast. When rifle hunting typically I start with a 25 yard zero which pretty much coincides with a 200 yard + zero with many of my rifles, 7mm mag, 300 Win mag and even a 375 H&H. I've only handgun hunted with iron sights out to, maybe, 125 yards and then with only one bullet weight. I was just wondering what to expect downrange with the various bullet weights in the 454 assuming that each will probably print the same at 25 yards, dead on.
I can see this scenario evolving in a mixed game hunt where you might see a muley for which the 240 grn Hornady XTP Mag zipping out the bbl @ 2000 fps would be perfect but you might also encounter an elk where a 340 grn WFNGC hardcast would be appropriate.
I'll say in advance, no way I'd spend time and money without checking the results downrange but having this knowledge in advance could be a big help, especially if you have to re zero your gun in the field.

JTT,

I personally cannot imagine "rezero in the field" while hunting, if that is what you are contemplating. My approach is very different. I use only 300 gr bullets in my 454. They are perferctly fine for the muley & for the elk. I have only one load that I load for it and the zero never changes. I want mine just a "tad high" at 100 yds. Then I am comfortable (I know the drop) out to 150.

Everyone has a different opinion on this subject & you will get plenty of suggestions here. Good luck.

When you change bullet weight in a handgun the POI changes dramatically, and rises with the heavier bullet. This is opposite of long guns and you really can't use long gun mentality. A 25 yard zero with a 240 and a 360 will offer much different 100 yard impacts. I shoot one load primarily, but if I change will re-zero. If you are expecting to confront such different game on a hunt to require such drastically different loads, carry a second gun.

I completely agree. Pick the one load that will work on the heaviest game you are hunting and stick with it. It won't be too much for lighter game. I don't buy into the concept of "overkill." There are no degrees of dead. Find the perfect load and practice your tail off with it.

JTT: Could not agree any moore with wtroper. I would pick one bullet, one load for m.deer and elk and 300 gr. is a good starting point. I would personally use cast bullets as there are more options out there but there is nothing wrong with jacketed bullets. Once zerowed you have to know your capabilities and limitations and live with them and that does not mean shooting off a sandbagged bench rest, but what can you do in field conditions. Good luck!

Thanks guys. I was kinda leaning toward just using a 300 grn WFNGC hardcast for a mixed bag hunt this year. Deer and elk. Have a bison hunt in the works, too, but I'll go heavier there, 340+. So far, despite not having had the time to shoot the 454 much, I'm impressed overall with the SRH and the caliber. I've only hunted deer and pigs with handguns and those with a Python and a 29-2. Had a TC Contender a few decades ago but never hunted with it except coyotes with the 223 bbl and I never did get used to the small field of view with the scope. Hence, the 2x Leupold on the 454!

You've been given very good advise. I personally don't think there is much need for a 360 grain bullet in the 454 because the lighter bullets will penetrate 100% on everything except for perhaps the bison and I wouldn't be surprised if the 335's penetrated fully on the bison. The lighter bullets will have a better trajectory and won't beat you or the gun quite as badly. Just my 2cents.

The 300 in the Casull will topple any Bison you are likely to encounter. Just make sure you put in the right place as always. I'll have to be honest, I never cared for bullets more than 300 gr in the Casull. Just a personal thing but tried the 335s and such and just didn't like the balance. If you are looking at a jacketed bullet, the 300 grain XTP MAG version is outstanding. Don't expect much along the lines of expansion on deer and such but its a very tough bullet for a jacketed slug. My favorites in the Casull are the 260 gr FA bullet and the 300 gr XTP MAG. They are both outstanding. As far as trajectory, if memory serves me, my 260 runs 1890 from my 10" FA. With it set appox. 2" high at 50 yards, its just about 1/2" high at 25, 2-2.5" high at 100, and dead on at about 150 roughly.

I have killed two bull elk with FA 454 Casulls; a big 6X6 that was a mature bull and weighed close to 1000 pounds, and the other a 5X6 only slightly smaller in body size, using the factory 260 grain bullet handloaded "hot." That load also did great on a nice 4X4 buck mule deer.

So...I am basically agreeing with the masses here, in that you should develop one good load and stick with it, for both deer and elk.

FYI, next time I would probably go to a heavier than the 260 gr. bullet in my .454, probably a 300, but as I stated, the 260 does fine in my personal in the field experiences...concerning deer and elk.

I was going to comment… but It has been so succinctly put I think I am going to say… ya…

I was thinking about a 475 for quite some time and the advice you are getting above is the reason I am saving for a 454… pick a load that the gun likes and post eye candy of the game!

You need both of them, you know you do

LOL

TCMan, I was just down in NO about a month ago when I came back to visit my parents (up in Natchez, MS)we made a day trip down to take the munchkin to the aquarium. Had lunch at Landry's and headed back north. What 454 are you planning to get by the way????

When you walk out of the aquarium look for the NAVY water tower on the other side of the river. I live right over their…

If you ever get a chance go to the WWII museum…

I don’t know what 454… I have more than enough time to think about it. LOL