.454 Casull & .45 Colt reloading

[Rio Grande]

The jpg is displayed in his post (I see it) but clicking on the link does not work - no display

[Tuco Ramirez]

I can see it and understand what it represents.

The powders he has available to him are in red down the left side of the chart by their burn rate. Read across from each powder listed in red to what powders we have available.

The 7,62 powder is just a touch slower than H4227 and Lil'gun. What gain bullet do you plan on molding?

RD, I believe we could calculate a starting charge using Lil'Gun or H4227 once we know the bullet weight. Start at around a 15 percent reduced load and have him work up from there.

Feel free to chime in guys if I am missing something.

[Ranch Dog]

RD, I believe we could calculate a starting charge using Lil'Gun or H4227 once we know the bullet weight. Start at around a 15 percent reduced load and have him work up from there.

Okay, I see it now. Yeah, 762 holds the greatest possibilities for the 45 Colt/454 Casull.

What would be really nice is if I could get the weight of 1 cubic centimeter of 762. Any measure of weight will do, I will convert it to what I need, but it must be 1cc. A Lee 1cc dipper is great for getting the sample.

I'm traveling now, so can't look but Quickload has a "sf 330 762" powder in it but I could not find any reference on the web.

[vtoran]

I'm going to use Lee .452 255GR RF bullet for reloading. And I thought the best powder was Russian .410 (almost as H110 Hodgdon).

[Tuco Ramirez]

I think you are right Andrew.... I did find loads using H110, HS7, HS6. I know RD likes the Lil'Gun a lot. They are all shotgun powders. Once RD is back home I am sure he will be able to work up a starting load for you.

[vtoran]

But still no one prescriptions for this two calibers - .454 and .45. Do not be shy!

[Ranch Dog]

But still no one prescriptions for this two calibers - .454 and .45. Do not be shy!

This might be a tough nut to crack or at least take some trial and error work.

The only powder in your list included in QuickLoad is Kazan Sunar 308W but it is not appropriate for the 45 Colt or 454 Casull. I cannot honestly provide a recommendation of either the 410 or the 7,62 as neither intersect the typical North American considerations of H110, Lil'Gun, or H4227 (in the Hodgdon brands) that I have worked with. Please understand that these three powders are volatile and using the data from one for another is extremely dangerous. So, it is safe to say that throwing Sunar 7,62 in the mix would be no different.

Sunar 7,62 does sit right on the line with N120, IMR4198, 1680, and Reloder 7. These powders vary in characteristics and density so they are not a direct comparison nor should Sunar 7,62 be considered a direct replacement. The only thing that they have in common is burn rate but it is truly a mistake to use one for another based on that single qualifier.

I can run some numbers for the N120, IMR4198, 1680, and Reloder 7 but again, these will not be valid for Sunar 7,62 until at least the density of the powder is know.

Also, with the Lee 452-255-RF you have chosen a plain base bullet to work with so tell me what you want to do with it. Running the data at the 454 Casull's CIP limit will not be useful info as a plain base bullet is not going to survive the pressure. So how about the bullet? What alloy do you plan on using to cast with and what are your pressure velocity expectations for the bullet? The Lee C452-300-RF would allow you to gas check it and wheel weights push it to at least 35.0K PSI without issue.

I've need to add that I admire your command of English! Based on the technical aspects of this conversation, the exchange of ideas probably would not flow well through a translator app so I assume you have a good command of the language.

Back to QuickLoad in closing. I noticed that the software has a Russian language pack but it must be purchased separately and it is not sold in the US. That tells me that the software is being used in your country so there are shooters that know something about these powders you must work with. The key of course, is finding them.

[Ranch Dog]

Just for a reference so I do not need to look it up again. The cartridge OAL for the Lee 452-255-RF is:

• 45 Colt ~ 1.466"/37.24mm
• 454 Casull ~ 1.640"/41.66mm

This is where the Lee C452-300-RF could help as well, getting you closer to the two cartridges spec OAL

• 45 Colt ~ 1.551"/39.40mm
• 454 Casull ~ 1.665"/42.29mm

Looking at these numbers causes me to suggest that you just forget about working with the 45 Colt and concentrate on the 454 Casull especially in light of the critters you will be hunting. The 452-255-RF is too short for consideration with the 454 Casull but the C452-300-RF near perfect. The 452-255-RF's short nose creates freebore within the chamber which the bullet must jump to engage the rifling. Heck if you want to shoot something small, such as rabbits/hares, cast a bunch of Lee 454 round balls and push them out the barrel at about 1500 FPS/457 m/s!

[vtoran]

Planning to use the wheel weights. I will not try to reach the full Casull power, but about 1500 - 1600 ft/s will be OK for my purposes: mostly paper and can killing. And in .45 1000 ft/s is enough. For hunting I will buy factory-made ammunition.

[vtoran]

I have Lee .454 round ball mold, using in my muzzle loading Remington 1858. Should I use for them .45 or .454 case?