454 super redhawk/best bullet for big critters

[Aktbird]

Just purchased 454 super redhawk with 2.5" barrel. Im not planning on shooting heavy loads a lot but need a good solid bullet in the 300 gr range for unplanned encounters. I would be very grateful for any advice on bullet selection for this particular gun. Also any proven loads would be appreciated.

 

[Paul H]

I'd consider loading it to heavy 45 colt levels, which will be 21.5-22.5 gr of H-110 under a 300-330 gr hardcast bullet. Velocity should be in the 1100-1200 fps range, and the loads should be reasonably shootable.

I expect you'll find full patch 454 loads will be difficult to shoot accuracetly from that gun.

 

[ADfields]

You want hard cast lead 300+ grain pushed around 1100fps which is a heavy load from a 2-1/2” barrel . . . your gonna lose about 4-500fps over the data that is tested in an 8” test barrel. Cast Performance makes great bullets and Stoner in the Valley is also a very good source.

Here are some of the loads I use that should work well for your short barrel. They are upper end (not max) data from Hodgdon as always start low and work up but you should not go below published data with these powders. http://data.hodgdon.com/main_menu.asp

300g CP or Stoner over 30g LilGin
300g CP or Stoner over 29g H110/W296
330g CP or Stoner over 24g LilGun
330g CP or Stoner over 25g of H110/W295

Any of these loads should safely put you around 11-1200fps from your gun and be very adequate bear stoppers. 2400 is also a very good powder for 454 but won’t give quite the power of either LilGun or H110/W296. I’ve had best luck with LilGun but they are all great powders.

 

[Aktbird]

Thank you, exactly what i needed to know, at the very least i have a baseline. Now for some R&D.

 

[Doc]

In my Super Redhawk I load 360grn CPGC's pushed by W296 (I had the barrel cut-down to 5"). I have shot bullets completely through a standing cottonwood that was too big for me to wrap my arms around and touch my fingers on the far side.

 

[Paul H]

I don't believe velocity loss in a 2 1/2" over an 8" revolver will be anywhere near 400-500 fps. My chrono results have shown straight wall cased revolver rounds typically loose 30 fps/inch, so a 200-250 fps reduction should be more real world.

 

[kobuk]

View attachment 46022 In my Super Redhawk I load 360grn CPGC's pushed by W296 (I had the barrel cut-down to 5"). I have shot bullets completely through a standing cottonwood that was too big for me to wrap my arms around and touch my fingers on the far side.

doc,
what load are you using with that 360 gr bullet? have you shot it through a chronograph or just give it the ol' tree test. that sounds like a handfull!

 

[ADfields]

I don't believe velocity loss in a 2 1/2" over an 8" revolver will be anywhere near 400-500 fps. My chrono results have shown straight wall cased revolver rounds typically loose 30 fps/inch, so a 200-250 fps reduction should be more real world.

Maybe so . . . maybe so, but for me:
300g over 31g LilGun load in 454 brass is 1720fps from my 8” 460XVR but just 1480fps from my 4-1/2” 460V.
300g over 30g H110 comes in at 1700fps from the XVR but just 1425fps from the 460V.
So for me in large handguns it’s been more like 70fps per inch and grows as barrel shortens.

 

[tailwind]

I don't believe velocity loss in a 2 1/2" over an 8" revolver will be anywhere near 400-500 fps. My chrono results have shown straight wall cased revolver rounds typically loose 30 fps/inch, so a 200-250 fps reduction should be more real world.

Ya, that sounds like a rifle vs handgun comparison. Not 5" barrel difference comparison.
I will second hot .45colt ammo. You can buy some Alaskan Backpacker 335gr @1100fps at GNG in Anchorage. That would be my choice if I did not reload. FWIW, my reload is similar.

 

[Doc]

doc,
what load are you using with that 360 gr bullet? have you shot it through a chronograph or just give it the ol' tree test. that sounds like a handfull!

I've not chrony'ed the 360grn bullet. I worked-up the load several years ago, and settled into a recipe of 25grns of W296. I apply a serious crimp with a Lee Factory Crimping Die. My pistol is ported, so the bullet creep is minimal for the final round or two in the cylinder.

 

[Marshall/Ak]

My load is pretty similar to Doc's: a 360gr hard cast and W296 for around 1350fps in my 7 1/2" SRH bbl. I think I used 27grs of that powder, but my memory is not the greatest anymore, I could be wrong. I can tell you that this load beats you up severely...absolutely no fun at all to shoot, but it ought to do the job.

Marshall/Ak

 

[travelers]

I use 355 gr. BTB with Federal sm. rifle primers, Starline .454 brass
22 gr H4227 @1100 fps. up to 27 gr. H4227 @1300 fps.
This is out of a 4.25" barrel.
Start low, your results may vary.

 

[aaalaska]

Maybe so . . . maybe so, but for me:
300g over 31g LilGun load in 454 brass is 1720fps from my 8” 460XVR but just 1480fps from my 4-1/2” 460V.
300g over 30g H110 comes in at 1700fps from the XVR but just 1425fps from the 460V.
So for me in large handguns it’s been more like 70fps per inch and grows as barrel shortens.

Andy what bullet are you using,just starting on loads for the 454, and have a lee mold for the 300 gr Gc, hope to be able to get out and do some load work in a couple weeks.
Alex

 

[ADfields]

Andy what bullet are you using,just starting on loads for the 454, and have a lee mold for the 300 gr Gc, hope to be able to get out and do some load work in a couple weeks.
Alex

I've used this CP LFNGC300 and Stoners that read .45-GC-300 on the box which is about identical for $10 a hundred less money and Alaska made. Stoner only goes to 330g so I still use CP 395s in 460 loads. I also load some 200g Partitions in 460 brass but in 454 just 300 so far but I have a box of Stoner’s 330s I plan on playing with in 454 and 460 brass.

 

[Smitty of the North]

View attachment 46022 In my Super Redhawk I load 360grn CPGC's pushed by W296 (I had the barrel cut-down to 5"). I have shot bullets completely through a standing cottonwood that was too big for me to wrap my arms around and touch my fingers on the far side.

Doc:

That HAD TO BE, a Rotten tree, so I'm not impressed.
You need sumpthin that will PENETRATE. Get a 357.

(Just Kiddin)
Smitty of the North

 

[Doc]

Doc:

That HAD TO BE, a Rotten tree, so I'm not impressed.
You need sumpthin that will PENETRATE. Get a 357.

(Just Kiddin)
Smitty of the North

Hey Smitty,

I've been on vacation and just noticed your response. I know you're kidding, but I didn't even believe it myself when I saw that I shot all the way through that cottonwood tree. In fact, I did it two more times just to be sure it wasn't a fluke. That tree was standing, green and alive. I do know that they sometimes rot from the inside, but I didn't cut her down to see. It was one of those had to be there moments. My friend and I were both amazed.

Doc