Light practice bullet

[Tatume]

Hello Folks,

My current mold for my 454 Casull revolvers is a 320 grain LBT LFN GC design, but I'm planning to move to a lighter bullet to reduce recoil during practice. What weight of bullet is the minimum that will produce excellent accuracy at 100 yards? What mold design are you using in this weight?

If the bullet is too light for effective hunting, that's okay. I’ll just switch back to the LFN bullet prior to hunting season.

Thanks, Tom

[str8wal]

Why not just reduce the powder charge or try a faster propellant to reduce recoil? Your POI will not change nearly as much with a lighter charge as it will with a lighter bullet. Less powder = cheaper shooting as well.

[Tatume]

Actually, in order to realize the improvement I want I'll have to do both.

But, you're right. Dropping the bullet weight from 320 to 260 grains and keeping the same 1400 fps velocity will have exactly the same effect on recoil as keeping the 320 grain bullet weight and dropping the muzzle velocity to 1200 fps.

[Cornbread]

I shoot this bullet: http://noebulletmolds.com/NV/product_info.php?cPath=41&products_id=750

but I only have the 2 cavity version. I use 29.4gr of IMR-4227 out of all 3 of my 454s and it is right at about 1400fps in both that are 6.5" and 7.5" in barrel length. The recoil is low and it will take either elk, bear, or deer out to 100 yards quite easily. I seat it to the crimp groove and it makes for a very short round overall length wise ( it is just barely longer than 45 colt length ) in the 454 case but I have not noticed any issues doing it this way. I am using straight water dropped COWW. I currently use only plain base, no gas checks.

Edit: Lube I have been using is Carnuba red, and I size these bullets to .452 because one of my casulls has really tight chambers.

[dvnv]

I tried some light bullets many years ago in the 454 and came to the conclusion that 250-260 gr were more accurate. I didn't spend much time trying and it was a long time ago, so I don't recall details, but I remember the conclusion. I don't think I tried anything less than 1,400 fps though...I think Unique was the softest shooting powder I tried and it was ok for accuracy but not as good higher velocity loads with H110. Back in that day, I didn't shoot for groups at even 100 yards...so I can tell you nothing about how they flew.

[Groo]

Groo here
Do you have FA revolvers or Ruger/ Taurus revolvers?
FA uses a 1/24 in twist [ a slow twist] so you need to drive longer/heaver bullets fast to stabilize.
Thus shorter bullets are needed when you slow them down.
This is not the case with the others.

[Tatume]

I shoot this bullet: http://noebulletmolds.com/NV/product_info.php?cPath=41&products_id=750 ...


This bullet looks identical to the one Tom at Accurate recommended. Looks like I have my answer.

Thanks, Tom

[Tatume]

I tried some light bullets many years ago in the 454 and came to the conclusion that 250-260 gr were more accurate ...


Do you have FA revolvers or Ruger/ Taurus revolvers? FA uses a 1/24 in twist [ a slow twist] so you need to drive longer/heaver bullets fast to stabilize. Thus shorter bullets are needed when you slow them down. This is not the case with the others.

It appears that the 260 grain bullet is the way for me to go. My revolvers are FA and Ruger, and the 260 grain bullets should work in both.

Thanks everyone, you've all been helpful.

Take care, Tom

[Tatume]

Lately I've been shooting Lee 452-300-RF bullets from a mold with the gas check shank bored out. They shoot very well and recoil is quite nice at 1100 fps. I also have this mold with the gas check intact, but haven't even opened the box yet.

Today Tom at Accurate Molds added #45-265VG to his list for me and I ordered one as a five cavity mold. I'm looking forward to it. It should easily do everything I need. I expect it will perform well at 1400 fps, which is my target, but it would also probably do well at 1100 fps and up to 1700 fps.

http://www.accuratemolds.com/bullet_detail.php?bullet=45-265VG-D.png (https://email.vims.edu/owa/redir.aspx?C=bLHUxln6hESq-T3EivD4kQYgGmlbh9EINhqmsAcu4gb27KCrBpDLknp1Z0JWs7x YA2xDfRhH_O0.&URL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.accuratemolds.com%2fbullet_de tail.php%3fbullet%3d45-265VG-D.png)

Take care, Tom