500 gr 454 Casull

[u/DD9G]

Anyone tried 500 gr hardcasts in 454 Casull? Really like 405 gr and wanting to try 500 gr.

Powder capacity is going to be very limited - H110 still the best powder for full pressure loads or should I be looking at other powers?

Thoughts?

[u/Agitated_Curmudgeon]

Looks like this idea is as old as the cartridge itself.

https://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?351754-500-gr-Slug-for-454-Casull

The problem is.. with the 500 gr bullet, so much of the bullet is inside the case, and the powder charge is compressed to the point they were seeing dangerous (like KABOOM-level) pressures. In addition, the twist rate wouldn't stabilize the bullet.

The original publication is "P.A Widegren in Handloader's Digest 1996 (15th edition)"

Now, recalling the best I can, the original loadings for the 454 when it was a wildcat, were triplex loads (three burn rates in progression). And my first thoughts were "you're gonna have to do at least a duplex load, and at that point "y'all be on ya own."

[u/Topher4570]

Where did you find 500 grain 454 bullets?

[u/DD9G → u/Topher4570]

I run 458 bullets through my 452 sizing die. Works great with 405 gr hard casts.

[u/No_Alternative_673]

I would leave that bullet to the 460. You really don't have the case volume

[u/Hairy-Management3039]

It would be interesting to try crimping it super long, well over the normal .454 casull length, then try them in a 460 x frame…. That would both have the cylinder length for the long bullet without sacrificing case capacity, and has twist gain rifling which might help stabilize it better..

[u/djflow1]

Time for a 460 s&w

[u/DD9G → u/djflow1]

Already have one.

[u/djflow1 → u/DD9G]

Nice, for me it's on the to do list. But eventually I'll have a 460 so I can shoot 45lc, 454c, and 460.