.454 bear defense loads

[hunter12]

I moved back to AK and now looking for a good bear load for my .454 casull, ruger SRH (7.5"). I have some 260gr semi jacketed flat points and they are shooting fine but the more I read about grizzly attacks the more I want a heavier boolit.

I've seen many in the 300-325gr range which was going to be my starting point but then I noticed some 370gr W/GC at the LGS. Now thats a big hunk of lead, WOW!! I didn't notice if they are FP or RN but will go back to check since I want a flat point.

Has anyone loaded that heavy for the 454?
How was the recoil and accuracy?
Where did you find load info?
Are there heavier boolits available or even recommended for the .454?

FWIW I will be getting another .454 in either the 2.5" or 5" barrel from ruger, the load recipes should remain pretty much unchanged, right??

[Adam20]

Hodgdon reloading has data listed for bullets up to 395 grains, as far as recoil and accuracy you will need to practice and find what works best for you. Everyone threshold for recoil is different.

[clum553946]

Since you’re going to get another pistol, have you considered a 460 S&W? They make a 5” compensated model and you can shoot 454’s in it as well. I think when it comes to grizzlies, you can’t have too much power!

[hunter12]

Hodgdon reloading has data listed for bullets up to 395 grains, as far as recoil and accuracy you will need to practice and find what works best for you. Everyone threshold for recoil is different.

I'll check out hodgon, thanks

Recoil can be different for everyone but different powders may also produce less recoil than other powders - I'm interested in real life experiences

Since you’re going to get another pistol, have you considered a 460 S&W? They make a 5” compensated model and you can shoot 454’s in it as well. I think when it comes to grizzlies, you can’t have too much power!

I have considered the .460 but ruger doesn't make one for the SRH. Plus the .454 kicks like a mule and at the moment I'm not interested in going to a bigger mule

[dubber123]

Whatever you end up loading, keep an eye on bullet/boolit pull. Heavier projectiles and harder kicking loads exacerbate this issue. Its something to watch out for, and doubly so in a defense gun, as it can tie up a revolver in just a few shots. That happened to a guy in Alaska a few years back, luckily shot # 4 from his 2.5" SRH did the trick on the attacking bear, as the gun was tied up for #5.

[44MAG#1]

I have loaded up to 415 gr in a 454 Casull.

[hunter12]

I have loaded up to 415 gr in a 454 Casull.

How did you like them?

[44MAG#1]

The most I pushed them was to 1350 fps. I have 2 molds from LBT a LFN-GC and a WLN-GC. the WLN didnt really fully stabilize at that velocity but did give good accuracy out to 50 yards.
Recoil in my FA was exhilirating. The gun recoiled so far that the hammer woulf cut my hand unless a death grip was used.
The 415 WLN-GC from a 4 inch Ruger Redhawk 45 Colt at 1120 will stabilize very well and even at that velocity equals the momentum of a 360 gr at 1290 fps or a 320 at 1450.
Plus recoil isnt horrendous and it is a good packing revolver. The Redhawk need a lot higher front and Bowen Custom guns has them or they did.
My bullets are designed to come to pretty close to full cylinder length and no I didnt have problems with bullet pull under recoil in either gun.

[454PB]

I recommend and use the Lee C452-300-RF and/or Lyman 452651. The Lee actually weighs 320 gr. in my alloy, and the Lyman weighs 330 gr., sized, gas checked, and lubed. Both of these have been pushed to over 1400 fps. in my three .454 Casull revolvers, and 1900 fps. in my Puma rifle. Though I've not shot any bears with these, I have no doubt they will fully penetrate. I'm used to heavy recoil, and these two produce about all I want.

[Groo]

Groo here
As you have a ruger [ faster twist than an FA], you can use heave boolets at reduced speeds.[FA has slow twist needed faster loads fpr 300+gr boolets]
Go to Penn bullets for the original SSK 340gr bullet designed for the FA 454.[ they will send loading data,, ask]
Said boolet has taken the Big Five.........

[stubshaft]

I regularly shoot a 325 WFN with 33.0 gr. 296 out of my FA. Last count was over 5K of them and they shoot into 1" - 1.5" @ 50yds.

[DougGuy]

I regularly shoot a 325 WFN with 33.0 gr. 296 out of my FA. Last count was over 5K of them and they shoot into 1" - 1.5" @ 50yds.

You might want to recheck your load data. As typed out in post #11, this would be a VERY DANGEROUS load!

Hodgdon data lists 26.0gr W296 as a MAX charge behind a 325gr HP boolit seated to 1.750" COA showing OVER 52,000 CUP pressure.

They also list 26.0gr W295 as a MAX charge behind a 325gr LFN seated to 1.760" COA showing 34,300 CUP pressure.

[44MAG#1]

I'm glad I'm not the only one.

[454PB]

Will 33 gr. of 296 even allow boolit seating?

[stubshaft]

Will 33 gr. of 296 even allow boolit seating?

Yes, barely...The load was on a Xerox copy of load date from Dick Casull when I bought the gun in the early eighties. It doesn't even flatten the primer.

BTW - The industry standard for the .454 Casull was 65,000. With the advent of other revolvers it was lowered.

[Greg S]

My eyes hurt just looking at that data, LOL.

[P Flados]

Yes, barely...The load was on a Xerox copy of load date from Dick Casull when I bought the gun in the early eighties. It doesn't even flatten the primer.

BTW - The industry standard for the .454 Casull was 65,000. With the advent of other revolvers it was lowered.

Well there is certainly no worry about the old "WW 296 detonation due to inadequate load density" with that one.

The 454 and the 357 both suffer greatly from reduced pressure standards caused by gun makers and their poor choices.

[hunter12]

Groo here
As you have a ruger [ faster twist than an FA], you can use heave boolets at reduced speeds.[FA has slow twist needed faster loads fpr 300+gr boolets]
Go to Penn bullets for the original SSK 340gr bullet designed for the FA 454.[ they will send loading data,, ask]
Said boolet has taken the Big Five.........

I didnt consider rate of twist ... What is a good weight for the SHR and will barrel length make that big of a difference?

[44MAG#1]

1-24 twist is good for 340 to 350.

[rosewood]

I recommend and use the Lee C452-300-RF and/or Lyman 452651. The Lee actually weighs 320 gr. in my alloy, and the Lyman weighs 330 gr., sized, gas checked, and lubed. Both of these have been pushed to over 1400 fps. in my three .454 Casull revolvers, and 1900 fps. in my Puma rifle. Though I've not shot any bears with these, I have no doubt they will fully penetrate. I'm used to heavy recoil, and these two produce about all I want.

U mind sharing the load u are using in your puma? I really haven't played with loads in mine since I started casting. I think my alloy drops at 316 with the gc wit the lee. Assuming u are using h110? Also, which crimp groove are u using? Thanks, Rosewood.