FA 454 mould suggestions please

[JFE]

I am looking to purchase some moulds to suit a FA 454. The cylinders on these revolvers are bit on the short side and would appreciate suggestions on what cast designs work best. It would be nice if the bullets were accurate as well as havig the right nose to crimp groove location.

I dont really want to use 45 LC cases and prefer to use 454 cases and not have to clean the cylinder throats.

My inclination is to go for PB designs in the 200-250 gr range and GC designs for heavy weights. Also, is a 350gr bullet worth trying ?

Appreciate your feedback on what has worked for you.

Joe

[Glen]

My favorite 454 bullet is the Lyman 454629, which Lyman made specifically for this gun (even stamped the block "FREEDOM ARMS"). It's a 300 grain GC-FP and is VERY accurate. Hard to find, but worth looking for. RCBS makes a very nice 300 grain GC-SWC that also shoots very well in 454. The SSK FPs (made by NEI, #320 A and B) are also great hunting bullets, but they shoot to a very different point of impact than the 300s. The 300s can do it all. A week ago, I shot a 800# buffalo with two 300s from a FA 454 and they both exited, and the buffalo died quickly. What more can you ask than that?

[DanWalker]

Take a look at the 460 HAMMER boolit we're trying to get a group buy going for.
the nose is short. It's a gaschecked design. I have the parent design for it in 454 and it hits like a flying sledgehammer. As an added bonus, if we do get a gb going on this mould you'll have a six cavity mould.

[frank505]

Try thr saeco #454, it is a 300 grain semi wadcutter gas check that will be accurate past a hundred yards unlike many designs that can't stay on planet earth at 100

[monadnock#5]

My vote is for the Lyman 454309 button nose wadcutter, 235 grains PB. With 8 grains of Unique and standard primers, I get accuracy I didn't know was possible with my S&W 25-5. It's a discontinued mould, Ebay is the only source I know of. If you have the Lyman 45th manual you can see a picture of it, page 263.

Ken

[Lloyd Smale]

Frank you dont really shoot those bullets way out past a 100 yards now do ya :)
Try thr saeco #454, it is a 300 grain semi wadcutter gas check that will be accurate past a hundred yards unlike many designs that can't stay on planet earth at 100

[454PB]

I use the Lee C452-300-RF and Lyman 452651 for heavy weights in my F.A. 454. Both fit the cylinder, although the Lyman is very close the the cylinder face. Each has dual crimping grooves, and I use the rear groove in all my handguns, and the front one in my Puma rifle.

[JFE]

Thanks for the responses.

Is there anyone that uses a Lyman 452424 in their FA 454 ?

It looks like the crimp groove on this bullet is in the right location but prefer to hear from someone who has one.

My cylinder throats are just a whisker over 0.452 so I guess I should size to 0.452 ?

With J bullets this revolver shoots very accurately and I'd like to be able to duplicate that with lead if at all possible. Any tricks you experienced folks care to pass on would be greatly appreciated.

Joe

[45r]

The rcbs 300GC has cast good bullets and been accurate in my F/A 454 casull.I have cast some good bullets with the saeco 255GC and it works also.It has a small crimp groove but it doesn't seem to be a problem with the profile crimp die I use.You can design one at MTN MOLDS and have it fit just right.He makes good molds and the bullets have been very accurate in my revolvers.He has a segment in his forum that has suggestions for F/A bullet designs.You have to wait a month or two but it is worth it when your custom mold arrives.

[bobthenailer]

i have 3 FA 454 and have a mountian mould 260 grgc lfn and a lbt 300 grgc lfn both are acurrate with or without gas ck installed for 1000fps loads, the 300 gr gc lbt is the acuraccy winner out of all 3 guns with 26 to 30 grs of 820 and 26 to 32 grs of 296 in 1 gr incurments all loads out of all 3 guns for a total of 12 diffetent loads out of each pistol 1 inch or better for 5 shot groups at 25 yards my best loads will shoot 1/2 inch at 50 yards ive used the lyman 454 454 to some degree in limited testing and it works ok .

[454PB]

I also have the Lyman 452424, and it fits fine in the F.A.

As long as you avoid full pressure loads, it is a great boolit in the .454. Assuming a 7.5" barrel, full pressure loads would push this boolit to 1700 fps, and it won't hold up without a gas check.

[JFE]

Thanks fellas for the feedback and suggestions.

I'm going to go with the Lyman 452424 and the Saeco 300 gr SWC. I think these two will cover the bulk of my needs. The chances of me finding one of those original Lymans designed for the 454 are probably slim to none where I am, but they do look like the 'gold standard' for a FA. At some point I might get adventurous and think about a Mountain Mold and spec up a heavy wt.

This is probably the most user friendly gun site around, with a lot of helpful and knowledgeable people prepared to share their experiences.

Cheers

Joe

[45r]

I got out my model 83 and shot some 300 lbt type bullets from my new mtn mold with 10.5 grains tite group and it shot ragged hole groups at 30 yards.The bullets have a 75 percent metplat and .320 nose.Front band at 60 thou and .450 bore rider so it chambers with .452 sizer.It fits perfect and very accurate.I don't think any of my other molds bullets fit as good.It will probably shoot even better with full power loads.Glad he is making molds again.Sure is good to have bullets that are a perfect fit to the chamber.Really like the accuracy of the model 83 revolver.Hope your having as much fun with yours.

[Lloyd Smale]

the 300 rcbs swcgc is hands down my favorite .45 heavy bullet. Ive yet to see a good .45 caliber gun that wouldnt shoot it well