454 encore pistol

[secondshooter]

Hi Folks, i have an 8 inch 454 casull encore pistol barrel on its way(should be here next week) i have a few questions for the gurus here, i will be reloading for it and i would perfer heavy slow bullets , how heavy can i go? can you resize the larger diameter 45/70 projectiles to suit the .454?
and another reloading question, i would like to try making some shot shells for it, have seen those plastic cases you can fill with shot yourself but they seem fairly expensive, has anybody come up with a cheaper solution for the 454/45colt?
cheers from tim in nz!

[Shooter]

I resize the 235Gr. Lyman Goulds bullet to .454 for use in my Encore. I use a Lee sizer. Any other .457 bullet could be done the same.
The .454 Casull is basicly a .45/70 short.

[selmerfan]

When I had a 12" .454 Encore barrel the heaviest I went was 370 gr. I believe cast from an Applegate mould that Lloyd Smale has/had. That was more than enough weight - quite the muzzle flip and it would be even worse with an 8"! I settled on the 320 gr. RNFPGC for all of my hunting needs, the 300 gr. RCBS SWC and standard 255 gr. Keith filled the plinking needs, but would have been fine for hunting as well.

[LUCKYDAWG13]

hello
i got a 13" encoe 454 shots like a house on fire i have a cast load that works real good
have a look in (Group Buy Resuits) in (Ruger Only) page #2 this is a 300gr H/P boolit
if you email me i will give you my load data i got pics i can send you

[secondshooter]

Thanks for the info folks, any body know about loading shot shells for the 454?

[onesonek]

I had shot some .458-420's sized down, they did better than I expected. But being heavier than I really thought needed, I had a mold made for a 360 gr. for my heavy weight. Otherwise, I shoot a 320 gr. most. That is out of a 12" Encore, and suspect Selmerfan is likely right on his thoughts with an 8".
As for the shot capsules,,,I haven't had much success with them in the past. They just wouldn't pattern reliably. I can't think of any way to fashion a shot load for the Colt or .454 case otherwise.

I would suggest getting a 12" .45-410 for your shotshell for your shot needs/wants. They work great when range is kept within reason. I don't shoot Colt's in mine however, the accuracy just isn't there with them.